Vauxhall Cavalier CDX 1995 2.0 - Long handbrake travel

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Sat 24 Apr 2010 02:09
Vauxhall Cavalier CDX 1995 2.0 - Long handbrake travel - peter973

My handbrake has long travel (15+ clicks) before it locks rear wheels.

I have to pull handle right up and think it's probably near maximum travel.

Checked rear brakes & pads are ok.

The spring lever on the rear brakes connected to the cable, seems at maximum travel, nearly hitting the surround end stop (see photos).

1) How easy is it to adjust ??

2) Do these brake discs have Star Wheel adjusters ??

3) Can i just take off both wheels, handbrake released, rotate star wheel adjusters to adjust & pull pads close to the discs ??

http://i422.photobucket.com/albums/pp303/93728/xDSCF1425.jpg

http://i422.photobucket.com/albums/pp303/93728/xDSCF1427.jpg

http://i422.photobucket.com/albums/pp303/93728/xDSCF1428.jpg

http://i422.photobucket.com/albums/pp303/93728/xDSCF1429.jpg

http://i422.photobucket.com/albums/pp303/93728/xDSCF1430.jpg

Thanks

Edited by peter973 on 24/04/2010 at 02:11

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Sat 24 Apr 2010 12:48
Vauxhall Cavalier CDX 1995 2.0 - Long handbrake travel - peter973

The photos above show the lever mechanism on back of rear disc brakes when handbrake is operated.

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Sat 24 Apr 2010 14:17
Vauxhall Cavalier CDX 1995 2.0 - Long handbrake travel - mickyh7

A much easier adjustment is under the Handbrake lever itself-10mm nut ! Wind it clockwise, with the Handbrake released.Youll have to move the plastic tray/cover etc.

Good Luck !

Sure these use Drums for the Handbrake,behind the Discs,

Adjustment system invented by Satin himself !

Edited by mickyh7 on 24/04/2010 at 14:20

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Sat 24 Apr 2010 14:30
Vauxhall Cavalier CDX 1995 2.0 - Long handbrake travel - Dynamic Dave

>> Checked rear brakes & pads are ok.

Your car has two sets of brakes on the rear. Discs & pads for the foot brake, and drums & shoes for the handbrake.

IIRC, you need adjust the shoes inside the rear drum/disc assembly with a screwdriver through a hole in the front face so they just start to rub on the drum when you rotate the hub and then back off slightly. Repeat for the other side (with the handbrake off).

You then need to put the handbrake on three clicks and adjust the cable (the adjuster is by the rear suspension beam, not where Micky says it is, unless they moved it after 1993?) so the shoes just start to rub the drum face. YOU MUST first adjust the shoes before adjusting the cable.

If you've not got a Haynes manual, then your local library may have a copy, of which you can photocopy the relevant pages for the instructions of how to adjust the handbrake.

Failing that, I can dig out my copy and post the exact instructions, but I don't spend a great deal of time on this forum any more.

HTH?

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 24/04/2010 at 14:41

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Sat 24 Apr 2010 14:45
Vauxhall Cavalier CDX 1995 2.0 - Long handbrake travel - mickyh7

the adjuster is by the rear suspension beam, not where Micky says it is, unless they moved it after 1993?) so the shoes just start to rub the drum face. YOU MUST first adjust the shoes before adjusting the cable.

Ooop's sorry !

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Sat 24 Apr 2010 14:49
Vauxhall Cavalier CDX 1995 2.0 - Long handbrake travel - Dynamic Dave

>> but I don't spend a great deal of time on this forum any more.

I forgot to mention if anyone wants to catch up with me, as I'm no longer a moderator on here you won't have my email address anymore. I can be contacted on dynamic_dave99 'at' yahoo dot com.

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Sat 24 Apr 2010 14:52
Vauxhall Cavalier CDX 1995 2.0 - Long handbrake travel - mickyh7

Retiring Dave or moving on to new pastures ?

Anyway Good Luck andATB mate - Mick.

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Sat 24 Apr 2010 15:07
Vauxhall Cavalier CDX 1995 2.0 - Long handbrake travel - Dynamic Dave

Just spending more time on another forum as I can't seem to get on with the new format of this one.

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Sat 24 Apr 2010 15:09
Vauxhall Cavalier CDX 1995 2.0 - Long handbrake travel - peter973

IIRC, you need adjust the shoes inside the rear drum/disc assembly with a screwdriver through a hole in the front face so they just start to rub on the drum when you rotate the hub and then back off slightly. Repeat for the other side (with the handbrake off).

You then need to put the handbrake on three clicks and adjust the cable (the adjuster is by the rear suspension beam, not where Micky says it is, unless they moved it after 1993?) so the shoes just start to rub the drum face. YOU MUST first adjust the shoes before adjusting the cable.

So if I adjust shoes both sides equally with screwdriver gradually, I should see the number of handbrake clicks decrease gradually ??

My handbrake is working on 15+ clicks.

If I gradually adjust, the number of clicks should decrease gradually shouldn't it ??

If I adjust & test, I should see number of clicks gradually decrease ??

Edited by peter973 on 24/04/2010 at 15:11

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Sat 24 Apr 2010 15:35
Vauxhall Cavalier CDX 1995 2.0 - Long handbrake travel - Dynamic Dave

Peter, if you adjust things as suggested, then providing your handbrake cable isn't stretched, you handbrake should hold the car on approx 5 to 7 clicks of the lever.

It's important to first adjust the shoes, then adjust the cable.

You need to have the handbrake shoes as close to the drum (without them rubbing) with the handbrake off, and ever so slightly rubbing when the handbrake is on 3 clicks.

You also should occasionally drive the car with the handbrake partially on for a short distance at low speed to clean up any corrosion that forms on the inner drum. It mentions this somewhere in the handbook.

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 24/04/2010 at 15:38

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Sat 24 Apr 2010 16:40
Vauxhall Cavalier CDX 1995 2.0 - Long handbrake travel - mickyh7

Just spending more time on another forum as I can't seem to get on with the new format of this one.

Its the b***** pop up adverts that are doing my head in !

p.s. sorry to hijack your thread Peter

Regards - Mick

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Sat 24 Apr 2010 18:09
Vauxhall Cavalier CDX 1995 2.0 - Long handbrake travel - peter973

p.s. sorry to hijack your thread Peter

Regards - Mick

Do you know where the adjuster is, Top, Bottom, Left , Right side looking at disc/drum ??

I've had good look through hole, cannot see.

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Sat 24 Apr 2010 20:42
Vauxhall Cavalier CDX 1995 2.0 - Long handbrake travel - topbloke

first thing you need to do is back of the adjuster on the hand brake so that the nut is level with the end, then looking throught the largest hole in the disc looking very closely you will see a star wheel approxamately at 1 o'clock on nearside and 11 o'clock on offside, adjust each side untill the disc cannot be turned then back adjuster off till it has the slightest of drag, then pull the handbrake up untill its on its 3rd click, adjust nut on handbrake untill the wheels just start to lock up (a second pair of hands is usefull at this point) release the hand brake, reapply, the hand brake should come up and lock the wheels at six clicks,Regards TB

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Sat 24 Apr 2010 20:48
Vauxhall Cavalier CDX 1995 2.0 - Long handbrake travel - Dynamic Dave

As TB says, but I would also further suggest it might be a good idea to take off the disc/drum assembly to not only familiarise yourself with where the adjuster is and how it works, but to also check the shoes for wear and clean out the hub of dust (try not to breathe it) while you've got it all apart.

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Sat 24 Apr 2010 21:12
Vauxhall Cavalier CDX 1995 2.0 - Long handbrake travel - topbloke

sorry told you duff information on that, the adjusters are at the bottom approx seven o'clock and 5 o'clock (forgot that the cables are at the top on this model ) only way to get the disc's of is to remove the caliper which i would not advise unless you are 100% sure that you know what you are doing and you would need to back the adjusters right off as well, go for the above approach and see what happens you may find that the shoes are knackered and not be able to get a decent handbrake but i will advise further if ness,Regards TB

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Sat 24 Apr 2010 21:35
Vauxhall Cavalier CDX 1995 2.0 - Long handbrake travel - peter973

sorry told you duff information on that, the adjusters are at the bottom approx seven o'clock and 5 o'clock (forgot that the cables are at the top on this model ) only way to get the disc's of is to remove the caliper which i would not advise unless you are 100% sure that you know what you are doing and you would need to back the adjusters right off as well, go for the above approach and see what happens you may find that the shoes are knackered and not be able to get a decent handbrake but i will advise further if ness,Regards TB

I've just spent 3 hours trying to spot the adjuster, just couldn't spot it through the hole.
I had a good look as best as I could with torch.

I was looking at near side rear wheel.

Is it definitely at 7 o'clock on near side rear wheel ??

I have done brakes before, changed pads, shoes, had similiar problem with handbrake on another car, where star adjuster needed to be adjusted, so have idea what to look for, thought this would be simple to spot through hole.

Edited by peter973 on 24/04/2010 at 21:39

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Sun 25 Apr 2010 19:09
Vauxhall Cavalier CDX 1995 2.0 - Long handbrake travel - topbloke

nsr will be at 5 o'clock there is a spring in front of it, bit of a b***** to see it but its there,Regards TB ps i can send a picture if you post me a e-mail adress

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Sun 25 Apr 2010 22:23
Vauxhall Cavalier CDX 1995 2.0 - Long handbrake travel - peter973

nsr will be at 5 o'clock there is a spring in front of it, bit of a b***** to see it but its there,Regards TB ps i can send a picture if you post me a e-mail adress

Yes, send me a picture, that will help.
jack_s999 @ btinternet . com

That probably explains why I couldn't see it properly.
One of those simple jobs, that wasn't so simple.

I did see something around there, not very clear, but nothing seemed to turn, didn't think that was it. Didn't want to push too hard into unknown inside brake, unless sure.

Thanks

Edited by peter973 on 25/04/2010 at 22:24

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