Handbrake adjustment

[PAUL_374312416]

Hi, I have a mid 80's (?) Perle Olympus which is not being held by the handbrake. Underneath there is a long threaded rod which is connected to two cables at the axle end. The brakes work fine when being towed so i assume there is an adjustment necessary at the hitch end but i cannot work it out. The handbrake handle operates fine but pulls up to almost 90 degrees without having any effect on the rod.

Any comments would be very much appreciated.

Help please.

 

[MikeP]

If you're not sure then it's best to get a caravan engineer to do the job. It might cost only 30 minutes' labour, and it's not worth taking a chance with brakes. This sort of thing would be picked up at the service. When was it last serviced?

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Paul,

If you have any car DIY expertise, particularly on older generation cars like the Mini or similar, then it's not a difficult job. But if not, then I'd do as Mike suggested and get a mobile engineer to come to you.

But in outline, and working from the wheels forwards:

1. The brake shoes (inside the brake drums) might be worn - and need replacing

2. The brake shoes might just need adjusting - there should be adjusters on the back of the drums (just like the first generation Mini) that you click round to set them correctly.

What's correct? So that the drums revolve easily, with no dragging, but as soon as the handbrake is applied - or the over-run operates - then the brakes should work

3. The cables are out of adjustment where they meet the balance bar - this sets the side to side balance - careful with this adjustment

4. The handbrake lever is out of adjustment or has become disconnected from the mechanical over-run brake system

If you intend to progress further yourself, I'd suggest getting hold of a caravan servicing manual - like the Haynes Caravan Manual 3rd Edition - from Halfords, Amazon, or Haynes themselves - about

 

[PAUL_374312416]

Hi Paul,

If you have any car DIY expertise, particularly on older generation cars like the Mini or similar, then it's not a difficult job. But if not, then I'd do as Mike suggested and get a mobile engineer to come to you.

But in outline, and working from the wheels forwards:

1. The brake shoes (inside the brake drums) might be worn - and need replacing

2. The brake shoes might just need adjusting - there should be adjusters on the back of the drums (just like the first generation Mini) that you click round to set them correctly.

What's correct? So that the drums revolve easily, with no dragging, but as soon as the handbrake is applied - or the over-run operates - then the brakes should work

3. The cables are out of adjustment where they meet the balance bar - this sets the side to side balance - careful with this adjustment

4. The handbrake lever is out of adjustment or has become disconnected from the mechanical over-run brake system

If you intend to progress further yourself, I'd suggest getting hold of a caravan servicing manual - like the Haynes Caravan Manual 3rd Edition - from Halfords, Amazon, or Haynes themselves - about

 

[PAUL_374312416]

Thanks for your suggestions, i will get it serviced and get a manual for future refernce.

Many thanks

Paul