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[DTC]

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me the best way to adjust the handbrake as it is far too slack on the facelift V6 I have just bought?

can I get to the adjuster nut inside the car or is it an underneath job?

As always grateful for the advice!

[Entwood]

Only one way to do .. and that is the proper way ...

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152564750

[TheBoy]

Simply tightening the cable will not work, like on some other cars - remember, the Omega's rear drums have no self adjusters because its not part of the primary braking system.

[Dishevelled Den]

Only one way to do .. and that is the proper way ...

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152564750

Yes, I used this guide last week when I changed the discs and serviced (and adjusted) the handbrake - it's simple and straightforward.

Very easy to do on a ramp but more than achievable on axle stands - ensuring the front wheels are well chocked of course.

[Chris_H]

Only one way to do .. and that is the proper way ...

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152564750

To be fair, dismantling the rear brakes isn't necessary for adjustment.

Simply put, the rear drum brakes need their slack taken up with a screwdriver through the hole in the drum before the cable slack is taken up with the adjuster behind the gearbox.

If you don't know the state of the shoes then dismantling is recommended, but you should hear nasty noises when you adjust and turn the drums if the shoes are badly worn.

You can also test if the mechanism is seized by pulling the cable while rotating the drum after adjustment.

[TheBoy]

Only one way to do .. and that is the proper way ...

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152564750

To be fair, dismantling the rear brakes isn't necessary for adjustment.

Simply put, the rear drum brakes need their slack taken up with a screwdriver through the hole in the drum before the cable slack is taken up with the adjuster behind the gearbox.

If you don't know the state of the shoes then dismantling is recommended, but you should hear nasty noises when you adjust and turn the drums if the shoes are badly worn.

You can also test if the mechanism is seized by pulling the cable while rotating the drum after adjustment.

But its no extra hassle (2 mins to remove?) and good to check visually

[Chris_H]

Only one way to do .. and that is the proper way ...

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152564750

To be fair, dismantling the rear brakes isn't necessary for adjustment.

Simply put, the rear drum brakes need their slack taken up with a screwdriver through the hole in the drum before the cable slack is taken up with the adjuster behind the gearbox.

If you don't know the state of the shoes then dismantling is recommended, but you should hear nasty noises when you adjust and turn the drums if the shoes are badly worn.

You can also test if the mechanism is seized by pulling the cable while rotating the drum after adjustment.

But its no extra hassle (2 mins to remove?) and good to check visually

Somewhat optimistic for a first time on an unknown example!
It's always worth looking further than you have to if you have the time, tools and spare transport.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Only one way to do .. and that is the proper way ...

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152564750

To be fair, dismantling the rear brakes isn't necessary for adjustment.

Simply put, the rear drum brakes need their slack taken up with a screwdriver through the hole in the drum before the cable slack is taken up with the adjuster behind the gearbox.

If you don't know the state of the shoes then dismantling is recommended, but you should hear nasty noises when you adjust and turn the drums if the shoes are badly worn.
You can also test if the mechanism is seized by pulling the cable while rotating the drum after adjustment.

Sadly not a good idea and will not tell you the real state.

One of the common causes of failure is the pivots seizing on the lower actuator and this wont be obvious without a full strip down and certainly wont result in grating etc. 

As said, there is only one way to ensure they are functioning correctly and that is a complete strip down.

[TheBoy]

Only one way to do .. and that is the proper way ...

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152564750

To be fair, dismantling the rear brakes isn't necessary for adjustment.

Simply put, the rear drum brakes need their slack taken up with a screwdriver through the hole in the drum before the cable slack is taken up with the adjuster behind the gearbox.

If you don't know the state of the shoes then dismantling is recommended, but you should hear nasty noises when you adjust and turn the drums if the shoes are badly worn.

You can also test if the mechanism is seized by pulling the cable while rotating the drum after adjustment.

But its no extra hassle (2 mins to remove?) and good to check visually

Somewhat optimistic for a first time on an unknown example!
It's always worth looking further than you have to if you have the time, tools and spare transport.

If its unknown, you certainly want to visually check

At worse its 2 caliper bolts, one retaining screw, and possibly (if its been previously adjusted correctly!) backing off the shoes...