Handbrake cable...just doesnt wanna stick...

Brakepads, discs, handbrake. The brakes are crucial for your Volvo 480. Use this category to learn all you need to know!

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esta
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Handbrake cable...just doesnt wanna stick...

Post by esta » Fri Apr 04, 2008 7:35 pm

OK, well i have changed my rear brakes and pads, and my handbrake still isnt sticking! I put the car on the slope and off she rolls!!! :eek:

It may be a handbrake cable, but i really want to hear from other people to see if there are any other areas i should be looking at...?

Also, if it was to be the cable, would i need to replace the whole cable from the handbrake to the brakes, or just from the centre to the pads? (There are two options at my local store)

And just for the record, it doesnt feel stretched, the handbrake doesnt come up particularly far, and only clicks a few times.

Perhaps it should also be noted that the MOT failure certificate says it had 11% braking efficiency...

Cheers in advance, Esta ;)
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Post by 480_rocket » Fri Apr 04, 2008 7:46 pm

I did both hand brake cables, and now it works perfectly! I think they must turn into eleastic with age.
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esta
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Post by esta » Fri Apr 04, 2008 8:04 pm

Was yours acting similar to mine?

And did you replace the whole lot? (handbrake back on both sides?)

thanks for getting back! :D
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There are a number of mechanical devices which increase sexual arousal, particularly in women. Chief among these is the Volvo 480 ;)

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Post by 480_rocket » Fri Apr 04, 2008 8:09 pm

I did the two that run from the middle to the back. Mine didn't hold at all well, made hill starts a bit more challenging!
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Post by owen080808 » Fri Apr 04, 2008 9:13 pm

adjusting the rear brakes on 480's can be a complete PAIN in the ASS i've spent hours trying to find the almost impossibly fine line between no handbrake and handbrake stuck on.

have you adjusted the allen head bold behind the dust cover on each side? worth trying before shelling out on new cables.
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Post by martinholmesuk » Sat Apr 05, 2008 6:24 am

Esta,

Did you remove the adjusting cover to access the allen key bolt that adjusts the calipers?

no point playing with cables if the pad distance is set wrong from the old pads.

Read the manual you just sorted out! lol
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Post by SMOOTH 480 » Sat Apr 05, 2008 10:48 am

esta i would firstly try adjusting the calipers with hand brake off .. turn it so the hub wont turn then back it off a we bit untill it turns then applie the park brake and see if its got a good grip if its a little slack i would then adjust the cable near the mid boxes - will need a nice extension bar on the ratchet and a deep socket -- Hope this helps you as this is how i had to do mine
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Post by SMOOTH 480 » Sat Apr 05, 2008 8:21 pm

just a quick bump up esta did you manage to get this sorted ???

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Post by esta » Sat Apr 05, 2008 8:27 pm

Well after doing all the ABS work and fitting a new handbrake cable, we left her on our real slopey drive (we parked her on this once before (before the MOT fail), walked inside, put the TV on and then heard a loud *BANG* only to find Lula putting her nose into the garage door!) So we knew this would be the ultimate test...an hour later she still hasnt moved to the brick that we place about half a foot behind her tyre just in case...looking positive...*touching wood*

Cheers for asking Smooth! ;)
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Post by lee » Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:37 am

whenever doing anything with the rear brakes you should always start with the handbrake adjustment on the caliper before doing anything. This including changing the pads and disks. Have you bedded the new pads in yet as this will also have a part to play.
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Post by esta » Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:37 am

Yeah i understand about the handbrake cable, but i didnt think it was the handbrake cable to begin with. The rear discs were compeltely knackered, and i kinda figured that changing them would sort out the handbrake inefficiency...sadly not, so had to buy a new set. These new ones seem to be working, has sat all night without moving on our slopey drive.

As far as breaking the pads in, i knew thsi would play a huge part, but without tax or MOT it has been kinda hard doing this succesfully, just driving around the housing estate at night trying my best. Cant risk going out on proper roads-very annoying, i would gladly pay tax, but i cant without an MOT certificate. grrr lol :lol:
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There are a number of mechanical devices which increase sexual arousal, particularly in women. Chief among these is the Volvo 480 ;)

WANT: 480 GT-Turbo & Jaguar XJR-S
HAVE: Jaguar XJ40 4l Sov
HAD: 480 GT (Lula) & 480 ES (Lulu), Mk4 XR3i (Wall*E), Rover 416i (Junior-R.I.P. bud), X2 (Percy) & Tahiti (Tati)

www.projectjaguar.co.uk

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Post by JohnTurbo » Sun Apr 06, 2008 12:39 pm

When handbrake cables get a bit stiff, they don't relax fully when you let the handbrake off...this means the rear calipers do not auto adjust properly, as the levers do no move back properly.

Short term you can keep adjusting the calipers every 500 or so miles, but really you need new cables if you suspect what i just said is true.

On another note, often you find calipers where the adjusters have been stripped internally by some wankerish brute. In this case you need new calipers.

Much like my spare turbo, gearbox, CEM, wiper motors etc...these are parts i keep and refuse to sell (exept to my most intimately connected 480 pals) because if i have them spare, the car won't break. It knows.

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