Thread: E-brake adjustment methods?

Hey all.. Is there another way to adjust the parking brake on a b13 chassis OTHER than the adjustment nut by the handle? The nut is fully tightened and the handle is going waaaay up until it starts working.

There is a balance bar ahead of the gas tank that might provide some adjustment.

I have new e-brake lines in a box. Maybe when I get dressed I'll take a look.

I just replaced both rear handbrake cables. There is no other adjustment than the nut on the handbrake handle.

My rear right cable snapped, and I had to order a new one. The new cable was 2cm longer than the old, so I had uneven brakeforce. Had to order a new one for the left side to get it to grip even (equal length on both sides). I hate the current system!

Seriously!? Argh dammit stupid system. Should be like a center-pull brake system on a mountain bike😜

I lied. Of course there is no balance bar. I'm an idiot.

Assuming the problem isn't the calipers, start checking things at the caliper and work your way forward.

See if the clips that hold the cables to the caliper brackets are on correctly.

Check all the brackets that bolt the cables to the body next, are they all secure.

Next remove the heat shield and check the pivot plate the cables attach to. This is usually a problem area, there can be dirt/corrosion built up. A lot of times when one cable doesn't slide it's not the cable itself, just a build up of crap keeping the cable from swiveling in the pivot plate. While you have access might as well clean and lube things there.

Check and see if the pivot plate is bolted to the body securely.

Inspect the single cable that goes from the pivot plate to the hand brake, see if it's worn or frayed. Be sure the hand brake it self is mounted securely.

If none of this is the problem I'm lost. I've never heard of a handbrake itself going bad other than a little side to side play when they get worn. When that happens I just grab one out a G20 with an auto transmission, since they rarely get much use.

So there is a balance bar? It's been so long since I saw these things up close.

See, and you called yourself an idiot.(post #5) It's not adjustable though. It simply sandwiches the left, right and center cable ends between two steel plates that allow them to swivel.

I haven't seen a name for it in the FSM so I just call it a pivot plate, but balance bar sounds good to me too.

It would help this thread if someone like Eggman would post a picture. He's probably got a few spare sets hoarded away. The forum should make him official photographer for those times parts pix are needed.