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Handbrake Adjustment

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Martinld123

Martinld123

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Hi, Having problems adjusting emergency brake on my Healey 100, 1956. I can only get it to tighten brakes after 6 or more clicks on brake lever. I am adjusting as stated in manual. Running out of thread on adjustment, lol. Thanks Marty, The Villages, Florida.
 
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Martinld123 said:
Hi, Having problems adjusting emergency brake on my Healey 100, 1956. I can only get it to tighten brakes after 6 or more clicks on brake lever. I am adjusting as stated in manual. Running out of thread on adjustment, lol. Thanks Marty, The Villages, Florida.
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Marty,
Are the rear brakes adjusted - shoes as close to the drums as possible?
 
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BobHaskell said:
Marty,
Are the rear brakes adjusted - shoes as close to the drums as possible?
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Bob, thanks. I will give that a try tomorrow. My drums adjustment are either on or off. In other words loose then tight, then loose then tight as I turn it. My emergency brake went out of adjustment because I drove with it on. I will give try tomorrow. Thanks
 
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Martinld123 said:
Bob, thanks. I will give that a try tomorrow. My drums adjustment are either on or off. In other words loose then tight, then loose then tight as I turn it. My emergency brake went out of adjustment because I drove with it on. I will give try tomorrow. Thanks
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Marty, are you saying that the drums aren't round now?
 
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Martinld123 said:
Bob, thanks. I will give that a try tomorrow. My drums adjustment are either on or off. In other words loose then tight, then loose then tight as I turn it. My emergency brake went out of adjustment because I drove with it on. I will give try tomorrow. Thanks
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BobHaskell said:
Marty, are you saying that the drums aren't round now?
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Bob, not sure. Sometimes when I spin tire I hear it drag but not always. Shoes could be wrong ones but been on car when I got it 12 years ago or so. Maybe that is why adjuster seems not to work right. I will check it out tomorrow, worked great until I left on emergency brake. Thanks Marty
 
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I had the same adjuster issue with my 56 100M. It turned out that the cam was loose on the adjuster post so you may want to check that as well. Had it spot welded and worked fine. You should also check to make sure that the small steadying post (with the felt tip) that comes through the backplate is in the right spot. If it's not holding the brake shoe properly, I found that can cause some grabbing as well along with uneven brake show wear.
 
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Mike I think you are referring to the front drums and not the rear drums. I had similar problem with my front drum cam. The notches were worn down so had to take a small file to put notches back in. The rear drums emergency brake adjustment is the problem I am having right now. Thanks Marty
 
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As Bob was saying you wont be able to get a good adjustment on your emergency brake until the rear shoes are adjusted up as "good" as possible. And you won't be able to adjust the rear shoes up as "good" as possible if the rear drums are out of round. You can ascertain the trueness of your drums by adjusting them up until they drag somewhat then rotate the wheel. If the drums free up then grab again then free up and grab again, etc then the drums are no longer round. Aside from turning the drums ( which may not allow much metal to be removed especially on older drums) all you can do it adjust the best you can by snugging up the drum adjuster until you have only a little drag but not tight enough to allow the wheel to lock up. Then what ever you can get on the emergency handle is about it.
Their is an old axiom that I still live by. "either use the e-brake often or don't use it at all". Unused e-brakes tend to rust and stick. Although I have never had this issue with my Healey. And I never use the e-brake. That's why God gave you 1st gear.
 
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vette said:
As Bob was saying you wont be able to get a good adjustment on your emergency brake until the rear shoes are adjusted up as "good" as possible. And you won't be able to adjust the rear shoes up as "good" as possible if the rear drums are out of round. You can ascertain the trueness of your drums by adjusting them up until they drag somewhat then rotate the wheel. If the drums free up then grab again then free up and grab again, etc then the drums are no longer round. Aside from turning the drums ( which may not allow much metal to be removed especially on older drums) all you can do it adjust the best you can by snugging up the drum adjuster until you have only a little drag but not tight enough to allow the wheel to lock up. Then what ever you can get on the emergency handle is about it.
Their is an old axiom that I still live by. "either use the e-brake often or don't use it at all". Unused e-brakes tend to rust and stick. Although I have never had this issue with my Healey. And I never use the e-brake. That's why God gave you 1st gear.
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I use mine to keep the car from rolling while the engine is running as I open or close the garage door.
 
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Well good point John. I guess you have good rear drums. And you evidently use the e-brake often. I have many times been on the verge of getting new drum but just never felt it was necessary yet.
 
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