Handbrake adjustment

Tiny
WAIMEABOY
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 MERCURY TRACER
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 67,000 MILES
The handle on my handbrake comes all the way up with no tension. How do I adjust the handbrake so the car does not roll.
Tuesday, May 8th, 2018 AT 7:10 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
WAIMEABOY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
It has four wheel disc brakes.
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Tuesday, May 8th, 2018 AT 7:21 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.com. Your vehicle may have rear disc or drum style brakes. Here are general directions to get you started on how to replace the parking brake shoes as well as adjust:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/parking-brake-shoe-replacement

With rear disc brakes, here are the directions specific to your vehicle from AllData.

Start engine and shift gearshift lever into the reverse position.
With the vehicle moving in reverse, depress brake pedal several times.
Shift gearshift lever into park position, then stop engine.
Remove parking brake console.
Turn adjusting nut until parking brake lever stroke is five to seven notches when pulled with a force of 22 lbs.
Install parking brake console.

If your vehicle has rear drum brakes, here are directions specific to your vehicle from alldata.

Drum brake:
Normal parking brake adjustment is made at the hand lever between the seats. Remove the six attaching screws in the center console, then the console.
Tighten parking brake adjusting nut on the left side of the parking brake lever. This shortens the equalizer cable. Tighten the adjusting nut until it takes seven to ten notches to fully set the parking brake.

I have attached pictures of both drum and disc brake systems. If you look at the drum system, focus on number 12. It is where the parking brake cable enters the backing plate. Have a helper actuate the park brake to make sure it is moving. The second picture is that of a rear brake caliper. The cable running along the bottom of the picture is for the parking brake. Do the same with this to determine if it is working.

Regardless of type, if the cable is not moving, it is either broken or disconnected.

I hope this helps.

Take care,
Joe
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Tuesday, May 8th, 2018 AT 8:01 PM
Tiny
WAIMEABOY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you Joe! I will work on it tomorrow.
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Tuesday, May 8th, 2018 AT 8:13 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
You are welcome.
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Tuesday, May 8th, 2018 AT 11:07 PM

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