Hello all,

 

wanted to make a post to see if there was any advice on where to start with having a weak handbrake. 
 

I’m pulling it all the way up and it is still not grabbing, but indeed groaning on a hill and rolling back. 
 

here is a photo of the adjuster near the cup holder section. 
 

I did want to check the drum brakes a couple of weeks ago but it was takin too long to take off and I’m missing a few safety tools to chock the wheels properly so I thought I’d save it for another day and find some jacks and chocks for a steal somewhere. 
 

please see photo attached.  

That off-straightness in your pic is a giveaway that the mechanism on one side is seized. 

Probably the pivot point of the lever within the drum that the cable pulls on.

If it was earlier in the day I could tell you which side to find the problem, probably left/nearside.

Get the drums off, clean everything up and make sure the automatic adjustment mechanisms haven't seized up first.

One thing to check is outer of cable, where it is secured to suspension arm. Look for rust near the clip, as this can result in inner cable seizing. Remove drums and apply handbrake. Both sets of shoes should move. If not then suspect cables, and replace both as the original will have stretched.

I found its a lot easier to change both at same time, to allow for easier equal cable tightening.

And when inside drum, replace the adjusters/retaining kit and sliders.