Tires, Wheels, & Brakes Discussion about wheels, tires, and brakes for the new MINI.

adjusting parking brake

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Old 06-08-2008, 01:16 PM
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adjusting parking brake

my handbrake is not grabbing as well as i would like it to, is there a way to adjust it? thanks
 
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Old 06-08-2008, 01:24 PM
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Yep. Unclip the boot from the console and lift it up. You'll see a nut (I think 10mm, but not sure) on the front of the handbrake unit, below the handle. The appropriate procedure is to jack up the rear of the car, and adjust this nut such that there is NO drag on the rear wheels at "zero" clicks and "one" click... but then starts grabbing at the 2nd click. I found that I could take a TON of slack out of mine and it made a huge difference in the amount of stopping power available at 3-4 clicks.
 
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Old 06-08-2008, 02:59 PM
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Good to know for those who have fit my rear Wilwood parking brake calipers also. Due to the change in the leverage mechanism on the caliper I've found the handle needs about six clicks to be effective. While sure there was/is a way to take out some of that slack I've personally not done so.
 
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Old 06-08-2008, 03:02 PM
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Cool Todd... by the way... to remove slack, you tighten the nut (turn clockwise)... which basically pulls more of the stud through (more exposed stud = less slack)...
 
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Old 06-08-2008, 03:57 PM
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ok sounds good, and what is the best way to move the boot? thanks
 
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Old 06-08-2008, 04:54 PM
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ifound the adjustment appratus, now what is the best way to check my work? i would prefer the brake as tight as possible.
 
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Old 06-08-2008, 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by freeskier
ifound the adjustment appratus, now what is the best way to check my work? i would prefer the brake as tight as possible.
Re-read my first reply.
1) lift rear of car
2) pull brake one click
3) try to turn rear wheel. Should be no brake drag
4) pull brake to second click
5) you should start to get some drag on the wheel now
6) you can tighten it as much as possible while still having NO DRAG on the first click.
7) done (don't forget to take the car off the jack before you try to drive... )
 

Last edited by BlimeyCabrio; 06-09-2008 at 04:43 AM.
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Old 06-08-2008, 09:21 PM
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excellent thanks, it was just not bighting before
 
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Old 07-11-2008, 03:41 PM
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Glad I found this post, I just installed the TCE rear kit and I'm looking to ADD slack to the system. I'm assuming following your directions in reverse will do that, I'll give it a shot tonight!
 
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