My mrs Mondeo 18TD has failed its MOT on handbrake efficiency. We had to change the n/s rear brake cylinder and brake shoes on both sides as well.

According to the book there is no adjustment available. I thought after the work I did the handbrake would sort itself out but it hasn't. Bare in mind I only did the repairs today and only have till Saturday for a re-test as well as normal working hours.

Will it adjust itself in time for the re-test?

Can anyone give me advice?

 

You only need 16% efficiency on the hand brake to pass!!

There are self adjusters on the rear shoes. What I normally do (because they don't self adjust very well) is manually adjust them up a click at a time so that the drum only just slips on over the shoes. The hand brake cable must be fully backed off. Once the drum is on, I adjust the hand brake cable up so it only takes about 3 or 4 clicks to put the brake on.

 

I know about the self adjusters on the brake shoes and have done it. But according to the haynes manual you cannot manually adjust the handbrake cable on a 1995 Mondeo 1.8TB. I have checked and it is correct.......no adjustment. At the moment, even with the new parts the handbrake lever pulls 9-10 clicks (almost to top).

Perhaps, if I recheck the self-adjusters and try again, this may help.

What do you think?

 

There must be some way of adjusting them. Have you removed the leather surround around the hand brake lever and all around the centre console to see if you can see the adjuster?

It's been a hell of a long time since I worked on an older Mondeo so I am struggling to remember.

I honestly can't see Ford not putting an adjuster on the hand brake cable though. Every other model they make has an adjuster on it. I certainly don't remember struggling with the rear/hand brakes.

 

Ive adjusted the self adjusters again and the hand brake is slighter better. Its booked in for re-test on sat morning, I'll let you know what happens. I can't spend anymore time on it cos of work commitments.

Thanks anyway.

 

It worked and passed its MOT

Just a note, it still passed its full re-test with a rear brake out, mmmmm obviously wasn't checked.

 

Thats good news, apart from the bulb!

 

I have a 1995 Ford Mondeo,the other day my handbrake was pulled up as far as it can go,but it was not working.I took a look and found that these are self adjusting,after messing about for about an Hour,I deceided that the answer was to get a replacement handbrake.
I saw one on e-bay for Ł75.00,way too much I thought,so the next day I went to the local scrapyard who charged me Ł20.00.
To get access to the hanbrake,all you have to do is remove the gear knob,take out the ashtray,remove the screws there,and the screws in the central console.
THere are two bolts to remove that hold the Handbrake to the floor,when you have removed these push in the button on the handbrake,then you can take the cable out of the lug.
It took me half an hour to fit the one I got from the scrapyard,and it works fine.
Hope this helps!

 

If cable is stretched too much can also put a knot in it!!
I would immediately change the wheel cylinder on the other side, assuming both are the same age it can't be far behind leaking and these are cheaper than new shoes and a wheel cylinder, I always change in pairs, but then vaux's eat them for some reason, every 2 years!!
tabetha