Honda Car Forum

HELP!

I know I asked this question before and someone replied that you can adjust
the handbrake cable ontop of the rear calipers - but yesterday jacking the
car up - the cable goes straight onto a spring linkage clevis and is not
adjustable! has anyone done this before? is the linkage adjustable from
inside the car - do I have to remove the center console to get access?

Unfortunately this is my fiancées car - and now I look stupid for taking
her car apart and only put the stuff back on with no success!

Apart from buying a manual (I'm not going to pay for it) maybe I'll suggest
that she takes it to the local garage where they can adjust it in 30secs!!!

Darren

>
> Apart from buying a manual (I'm not going to pay for it)

youre already "paying for it", in wasted time.

the adjustment is by the hand brake.

darren wrote:
> HELP!
>
> I know I asked this question before and someone replied that you can adjust
> the handbrake cable ontop of the rear calipers - but yesterday jacking the
> car up - the cable goes straight onto a spring linkage clevis and is not
> adjustable! has anyone done this before? is the linkage adjustable from
> inside the car - do I have to remove the center console to get access?
>
> Unfortunately this is my fiancées car - and now I look stupid for taking
> her car apart and only put the stuff back on with no success!
>
> Apart from buying a manual (I'm not going to pay for it) maybe I'll suggest
> that she takes it to the local garage where they can adjust it in 30secs!!!
>
> Darren
+++++++++++++++++++++

If nobody who drives that car ever uses the park brake, you may not need
to adjust anything. It's supposed to click four or five times to
lock-up, but if it doesn't get used, it won't seem to work right when it
does get used. Read the owner's manual about this part.

The adjustment is under the plastic console, but don't adjust it for too
few 'clicks' or it won't adjust automatically AT ALL in the future. It's
not a Volkswagen. :-)

If the Park brake has been unused, try backing up very slowly, and yank
the brake on and off (sharply) about twenty times to notch up the stars.
Count the clicks before and after to prove if you're accomplishing
anything. It won't over-tighten.


'Curly'

On Mon, 7 Jun 2004 10:03:08 -0400, "darren" <darrenr@cae.com> wrote:

>
>HELP!
>
> I know I asked this question before and someone replied that you can adjust
>the handbrake cable ontop of the rear calipers - but yesterday jacking the
>car up - the cable goes straight onto a spring linkage clevis and is not
>adjustable! has anyone done this before? is the linkage adjustable from
>inside the car - do I have to remove the center console to get access?

You might be able to get at the adjuster screw by removing the rear ashtray
- if not you should be able to see it and then get at it by removing the
rear part of the console. It operates on both cables simultaneously by
moving an "equalizer" forwards/backwards on the rod coming from the
handbrake lever. If the equalizer is badly unbalanced, there's a problem
with the cables or their sheathes.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

> You might be able to get at the adjuster screw by removing the rear ashtray
> - if not you should be able to see it and then get at it by removing the
> rear part of the console. It operates on both cables simultaneously by
> moving an "equalizer" forwards/backwards on the rod coming from the
> handbrake lever. If the equalizer is badly unbalanced, there's a problem
> with the cables or their sheathes.

my rear handbrakes (98 CX, 46k miles) wonky too. takes 8 clicks to engage!

before i go adjust it i want to check the rear shoes, since im afraid my
girlfriend may have driven with the parking brake on. rear shoes dont
just "go" in 46k miles, and the handbrake shouldnt need an adjustment.

bleh.

but while im in there, i might as well smear some more grease in the
untouched bearings and bleed the brakes front and rear, starting w/ the
rear of course.

any other hints/tips/tricks/advice?

On Tue, 08 Jun 2004 06:33:14 GMT, SoCalMike
<mikein562athotmail@hotmail.com> wrote:

>
>> You might be able to get at the adjuster screw by removing the rear ashtray
>> - if not you should be able to see it and then get at it by removing the
>> rear part of the console. It operates on both cables simultaneously by
>> moving an "equalizer" forwards/backwards on the rod coming from the
>> handbrake lever. If the equalizer is badly unbalanced, there's a problem
>> with the cables or their sheathes.
>
>my rear handbrakes (98 CX, 46k miles) wonky too. takes 8 clicks to engage!
>
>before i go adjust it i want to check the rear shoes, since im afraid my
>girlfriend may have driven with the parking brake on. rear shoes dont
>just "go" in 46k miles, and the handbrake shouldnt need an adjustment.

On drum brakes, it could be that the self-adjusing mechanism is slightly
corroded and is not turning the adjuster star wheel between the clevis
pins... or it might just be on the verge of clicking over to the next
notch.

>bleh.
>
>but while im in there, i might as well smear some more grease in the
>untouched bearings and bleed the brakes front and rear, starting w/ the
>rear of course.
>
>any other hints/tips/tricks/advice?

It's always good to clean out corrosion from brake assemblies occasionally
- make sure everything is able to slide where it should.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

Thanks everyone. I shall check the handbrake tonight.

Darren

Thanks George!

After unclipping the rear ashtray I could see the linkage with the
adjusting nut just like you said. Furthermore I removed the insert to hold
the CD's in the center arm rest and you can see the linkage clearly from the
top.

I used an extra long socket set to turn the nut until my socket bottomed
out on the threaded bar, then I used a spanner wrench from the top access to
finish the rest.

Now I have the respect back from my Fiancée by saying I saved her $60 - and
it only took 10 mins!

Darren