Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: vauxsull on 28 July 2015, 07:05:34

Title: handbrake travel
Post by: vauxsull on 28 July 2015, 07:05:34
Is there a regulation as to how much it should move before locking the wheels? Like how many clicks? MOT due in 2 weeks and it only moves 2 clicks since garage changed rear discs.. Will it be ok for the MOT like this?
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: Jimbob on 28 July 2015, 07:12:49
Doesnt sound like it

http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_310.htm
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: vauxsull on 28 July 2015, 07:28:41
Oh well that answers that then 😌... Trip to garage for adjustment before MOT then.
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: Jimbob on 28 July 2015, 08:30:46
I meant doesnt sound a problem....read the book in the link
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: vauxsull on 28 July 2015, 08:33:48
I did?? Think I misread it then 😁  and I am in work trying to read stuff on a cracked phone screen too
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 28 July 2015, 08:39:22
If its an Omega and applies in only two clicks it needs setting up properly
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: vauxsull on 28 July 2015, 08:41:06
Bugger
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: 05omegav6 on 28 July 2015, 09:03:00
Bugger
Easily done... just follow the guide on here :y

4-6 clicks is the target iirc :-\
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 28 July 2015, 09:10:05
I think that for MOT purposes as long as the brake holds when applied and releases properly then you should be OK.  :-\

It does sound a bit tight though.  ;)
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: vauxsull on 28 July 2015, 09:12:51
Wasn't like that before garage changed rear discs.
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: vauxsull on 28 July 2015, 09:13:40
Does it involve removal of heat shield?
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 28 July 2015, 09:29:38
Depends, first thing to do is check the handbrake cables and ensure there is some slack when the handbrake is released, if there is then no need to remove heat shields to adjust cable (but given the symptoms you have there wont be slack  :y)
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: vauxsull on 28 July 2015, 09:38:02
I seee... So could be looking at several snapped heat shield nuts then on removal....
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 28 July 2015, 09:51:36
You can get to it without removing the heat shields with a deep socket (13mm from memory) on a couple of extension bars.
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: vauxsull on 28 July 2015, 10:03:11
Didn't know this? This I like the sound of... I have access to a pit at work this Saturday so I shall have a play with it then... Along with wazzing up the rear brake pipes with some emery paper and repainting them .. And change oil and do front discs and pads.... :D
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 28 July 2015, 11:23:49
Though it's a chronic nightmare faff, I did actually drill out my floorpan and fit stainless steel screws and nuts for my heatshields, which means no more snapped threads when I replaced my exhaust (and replaced some rotten old heatshields along the way) so it is doable to solve the problem.

Guide is easy to follow and its a nice feeling to have a working properly adjusted handbrake.


Which I never use from one month to the next - because I have an Auto, ah well, hehe  :)
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 28 July 2015, 11:28:13
Use it or lose it......plus if you ever get bored strip an auto box and look for the tiny piddly bit of metal that works as the parking brake pawl
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: vauxsull on 28 July 2015, 11:38:01
Getting many mixed messages on this and don't know wether to whoop and holler in excitement or blub like a baby 😁....
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: Kevin Wood on 28 July 2015, 11:38:36
Use it or lose it......plus if you ever get bored strip an auto box and look for the tiny piddly bit of metal that works as the parking brake pawl

Yes, that's a good advert for remembering the handbrake!
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: Kevin Wood on 28 July 2015, 11:39:00
Note to self: Fix handbrake. :-[
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 28 July 2015, 11:40:02
Easy enough to sort, particularly with a pit  :y
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: vauxsull on 28 July 2015, 11:45:33
Seeeee I'm feeling euphoric again 😁
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: Bigron on 28 July 2015, 11:48:17
I'm sure this is naive of me, but if when the handbrake is in the "off" position the brakes are not binding, I would consider that to be ok?
How many clicks are there in total, because I think I have the opposite condition whereby my handbrake lever goes most of the way up - yes, I know I need to adjust it, just wondering how much leeway I've actually got!

Ron.
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: Kevin Wood on 28 July 2015, 12:10:45
You need some "reserve travel". I.e. if the lever is close to the end of its' travel, a bit of wear or cable stretch, and you can't fully apply the handbrake. A bit subjective, so it might depend on the tester.

On the other hand, if the cable is not slack when the brake is released, the adjusters don't work properly. Given that the "clicks" on the Omega handbrake pawl are very fine, I'd say 2 click to fully on isn't going to leave the cables slack when it's off.
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 28 July 2015, 14:06:54
5ish clicks was always about optimum.

The key is the slack so the shoes are not actuated, this must be the case before the manual adjusters are set or you get a poor handbrake!
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: Bigron on 28 July 2015, 14:13:22
Thanks Kevin; I understand that, but I was just wondering how many clicks I have left because it's difficult to quantify by looking at the position of the handbrake lever.
If anyone has a 2.6 petrol in pieces - i'e. no brakes attached - and can count the total number of clicks I would be grateful.
Thanks.

Ron.
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: vauxsull on 28 July 2015, 14:13:35
Think it'll be easier if I get garage to do it...
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: omega2018 on 29 July 2015, 00:12:28
mine is 2 clicks or less since i adjusted the shoes.  i prefer it like that.  it sailed though its mot with no advisories. and yes i was VERY careful to make sure when the handbrake is off the wheels don't bind, at all. and i have periodically checked that since.  incidentally when i had set the shoes right there was no need to adjust the cable.

Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: ronnyd on 29 July 2015, 01:02:11
Only had two clicks on mine when it passed it,s MOT. :y
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 29 July 2015, 08:00:46
mine is 2 clicks or less since i adjusted the shoes.  i prefer it like that.  it sailed though its mot with no advisories. and yes i was VERY careful to make sure when the handbrake is off the wheels don't bind, at all. and i have periodically checked that since.  incidentally when i had set the shoes right there was no need to adjust the cable.

All well and good as long as the cable has slack in it when released  :y
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: Lazydocker on 29 July 2015, 09:29:40
Think it'll be easier if I get garage to do it...

If you let a garage do it they will almost certainly just wind the cable up ::)
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: EMD on 29 July 2015, 09:40:55
3-4 clicks on one , 7 or more on tother that's off the road but i think it must have
been mot'd like that  ::)
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: vauxsull on 29 July 2015, 09:41:57
MOT station I intend to use I a Vauxhall specialist so I hope he'll know what needs doing.
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: Lazydocker on 29 July 2015, 10:44:54
MOT station I intend to use I a Vauxhall specialist so I hope he'll know what needs doing.

 :-X :-X :-X ::) ::) ::)

But hopefully you're right :y
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: vauxsull on 29 July 2015, 10:54:04
Well yes all I can do is hope... I will have a look at it though over the weekend as I'm using the pit at work...
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: EMD on 29 July 2015, 10:59:45
Check the back plate fixing , they rust through .. simple fix
with a washer  :)
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: vauxsull on 29 July 2015, 11:03:06
Ok will do... Didn't know this was a problem area?  :y
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: EMD on 29 July 2015, 11:11:26
One of my cables was dragging the ground on old elite ..  ;D
Cable had pulled through , cleaned backplate up and treated rust then put a big washer on .
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: vauxsull on 31 July 2015, 17:59:36
Popped into MOT station today to query the handbrake travel and he assures me 2 click's is fine so this is one thing I don't need to worry about a week today.
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: EMD on 31 July 2015, 20:44:11
2 clicks you say  ::) 3 clicks on mine and it works and releases fine  :y
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: BazaJT on 01 August 2015, 17:27:54
Afraid I'm with DBG here.Had nothing but autos since my first Senator in the late nineties and unless parking on a hill all I've ever done is chuck it into park position,never had any problems in doing so.
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: Lazydocker on 01 August 2015, 18:16:46
Afraid I'm with DBG here.Had nothing but autos since my first Senator in the late nineties and unless parking on a hill all I've ever done is chuck it into park position,never had any problems in doing so.

Although we are all guilty of being lazy with parking an Auto at times, when you see how small the Park Pawl is it does change your opinion a bit  :-X ::)
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: EMD on 01 August 2015, 19:47:42
Afraid I'm with DBG here.Had nothing but autos since my first Senator in the late nineties and unless parking on a hill all I've ever done is chuck it into park position,never had any problems in doing so.

Although we are all guilty of being lazy with parking an Auto at times, when you see how small the Park Pawl is it does change your opinion a bit  :-X ::)

+1 .. its minuscule  ;D
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: 78bex on 02 August 2015, 22:31:22
The imbalance side to side can fail the MOT for you. :(
 about this time last year my handbrake felt crap, as though only one side was operating.
As I coulldn`t loosen the disc on the nearside I asked my local garage to sort it. I think they charged me £50, he noted on the bill that prior to cleaning & adjust Handbrake the imbalance was 27% side to side & that would have failed the subsequent MOT. After I picked up the car I had 3 clicks on the lever.
Title: Re: handbrake travel
Post by: 78bex on 02 August 2015, 22:37:48
Just thinking about it, I suppose it depends how strong you are.
I notice swmbo uses 2 hands to release the lever sometimes.
Yer sometimes she struggles to release it & the dog on the back seat barks at it too  :y