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[Tick Tock]

The handbrake is barely holding now, and with the MOT test due next month, thought I'd set about checking the shoes, adjusters and cables. As always I like to refer to any maintenance guides which are on here, and of great help.

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90580.0

Wheel off, pads out, caliper off, and supported (with all the usual associated jacking and axle stands etc)...... but can I get the disc off? Hell no! Gentle taps and persuasion all to no avail. I've worked on many brakes in the past, so am familiar with adjusters and shoes, but I can't for the life of me see any adjustment wheel through the hole, in the hope of backing the shoes off slightly, if that's what's causing the disc to stay put.



Admittedly it looks like this is the first time in 135K miles that the calipers have been removed, and no doubt the shoes haven't seen the light of day since assembly back in the year 2000.

So the question is - why can't I see any means of adjustment inside, and is there any other type of adjustment that isn't featured in the maintenance guide?

In the meantime I think I'll tackle the rust on the wheelarch, whilst the wheel is off..... might as well do something useful whilst I ponder this problem.

[VXL V6]

Adjustment is made via 'cog' for which you will need to position the disc so that the access hole is at 12 o'clock. You'll probably need a torch to see the cog as well. 

[Tick Tock]

Yes, have looked in with torch, and can't see any star wheel, cog or any means of adjusting with a screwdriver, which is why I asked if there were any other types of adjuster fitted.

You can see where the screw fits on the end of the shoe, but it seems to just thread into a cylindrical piece with no means of adjusting.

[05omegav6]

Assuming that you're replacing the disc, give several good taps with a club hammer around the hub, then, whilst rotating the disc, beat ten bells of shit out of it from behind where the caliper sits

The disc will be rusted to the hub, and once free, you'll know if you need to back the shoes off or not... the disc will move, but be restrained and springy if the shoes are catching

As VXL V6 said for the adjuster, except 12:05 for the drivers side and 11:55 for the passenger side. The cog mentioned is actually quite coarse, only 7 teeth, and is 'locked' by the upper shoe return spring, so position the disc accordingly and aim for the top edge of the spring. Drivers side should be up to release, and the passenger side should be down...

Not forgetting the obvious, handbrake off and gear lever in neutral (chock both front wheels)

[Tick Tock]

Thanks for that information, especially the precise location and direction to turn...... it must be there so I will persevere. In the meantime I've sprayed some release oil and hope that will help free it from the hub, whilst I carry on with the wheel arch.

[omega3000]

They can be a pain to adjust  Its so obvious where the star wheel is once the disc is off but hit and hope with the disc in place , i couldnt adjust mine with disc on so just adjusted it just senough to slide the disc over the shoes 

[terry paget]

You will probably need to back off the adjuster fully, because a lip of rust builds up on the inside edge of the drum where the shoes do not run. As Al says, it is at the top of the shoes assembly, the adjuster is a star edged nut on a screw, can be in either way. I use a head torch to view it through the spare hole in the hub.

Pic of adjuster follows.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1l5ijo6w4m8ozo9/hbadjuster40%25.jpg

[robson]

If you couldnt adjust it how did you get the disc off.

[robson]

A picture makes life so much easier

[omega3000]

If you couldnt adjust it how did you get the disc off.

Hammer turn disc hammer turn disc and a big swear box 

[terry paget]

Would like to add, my pic shows the adjuster fully contracted. Tweaking the star wheel upwards will expand it as the nut unscrews. Al describes the normal location of the adjusters, with the nut at front of car end, but they can be installed either way round, so best to look at it and work out which way will contract it. I have bought cars with adjusters both ways round.

If this is your first handbrake job, enjoy it! There is fun to be had getting out the scissors lever on the end of the handbrake cable - they often seize solid - and getting back on the handbrake steady springs, and the pull off springs is never dull either. Don't worry, there is lots of help and advice on this forum.

Good luck!

[05omegav6]

The directions are the factory ones they are unlikely to be fitted randomly at thbe factory due to assemblyline time constraints...

Any random omnes are most likely the result of people not paying attention as they rebuild them

[4x4]

If you couldnt adjust it how did you get the disc off.

Hammer turn disc hammer turn disc and a big swear box 

I didnt swear much,well i didnt think i did lol

[omega3000]

If you couldnt adjust it how did you get the disc off.

Hammer turn disc hammer turn disc and a big swear box 

I didnt swear much,well i didnt think i did lol

Quite a bit at the screw holding the disc on 

[omega3000]