Handbrake Cable Replacement

[DPS20K]

I need to replace the handbrake cable on my Gransport. Anybody done it before and got any tips or a how to?

 

[RSM Masser]

If its a similar set up to the 32 and 4200 - its more of a mission than difficult
There are lots of threads detailing handbrake shoe adjustment which show how its done

 

[davy83]

not sure if its the same on the 4200 as the 3200 but there is a little mechanism which shares the tension to the rear section of the cable its worth taking this apart and loosening it all up, as this seizes up badly, and it makes a big difference!

 

[highlander]

with having an auto i cant honestly remember the last time i used the handbrake...............so mines is probably shot!

 

[DPS20K]

My main concern is that apparently there are a couple of clips holding the cable to the floor/gearbox that are really difficult to get to, and I was wondering whether anybody had experience of doing it.

 

[2b1ask1]

Yes, replaced mine last summer with the car on 4 x axle stands but recommend proper ramps or better still a post lift as you need to have the rear wheels off to complete it.

It is very difficult to access the cable retainers over the gearbox and torque tube (especially if you have pork sausage fingers and silly big hands) but it is worth doing and not an expensive part (nice discount from Dick Lovett).

You need a good selection of open end and ring spanners including flip/flop type ones as the retaining bolts are really inaccessible at times. I think it took me about 6 hours on my ones to complete it but allow 40 minutes to wrestle the end back into the handbrake lever! I found cable ties the easiest way of pulling it forward and up to align.

Still easier than ARB bushes!

 

[DPS20K]

Thanks. Emblem said it was a 3 hour job for them so I can see 6 hours being reasonable if you are lying on your back under the car! This is going to be a job for me over the Christmas break. I'll try to take a few photos along the way in case anybody else is thinking of doing it. I've also got new handbrake shoes and discs so hopefully I'll find that I have a handbrake that works at the end of it all.

 

[safrane]

The rear end of the cables also rub on the car causing the protective sheath to wear away and then rust sets in. I had some additional rubber tubing fitted to mine at those points to make it last longer.

 

[dunnah01]

old v new showing what rubbing againt car does - I wrapped some rubber tubing around mine as extra protection.

it's also worth photographing the mechanism prior to disassembly - it's amazing how quickly you forget how it works!

 

[dunnah01]

These are the two small plastic clips that simply push into the locating hole - ha ha ha!! - yeah right, took me an hour each and sea full of expletives until they finally gave in..

 

[2b1ask1]

These are the two small plastic clips that simply push into the locating hole - ha ha ha!! - yeah right, took me an hour each and sea full of expletives until they finally gave in..

Nope, mine just went in no problem at all, how strange!