Park Brake Cable Tensioner

scotty597

Member
 Dundee
My park brake on my 2005 E85 has got to the point in needs adjusting.....near my armpit on a slight hill.

I fully understand the how to do it and have the tools and knowledge to do it, so why you may ask am I posting?

I started the procedure by moving the hand brake gator and trim panel as per numerous procedures on here and else where.

My problem is that the cable self tension mechanism wont budge. The you tube clips I have seen don't seem to need much effort to push it towards the rear of the car until it latches. I have put quite a bit of pressure on it via a long screwdriver....until the veins on my temple pop out.... :x

Mine just wont budge. Im reluctant to use my usual brute force and ignorance technique in case I break something expensive.

Any one had a similar problem? As this isn't normal. Should I break out a hammer, got a few in varying sizes. :headbang:
 
Yes. Skipped the tensioner bit when it wouldnt move and then did the shoes. Still loads of movement till it holds.

The other stuff Ive read says it wont work unless this blasted tensioner is released, which seems to be right after Ive tried skipping it. :x
 
The car has done 33,000 miles. The shoes were in very good condition as well and all the bits at the back are operating correctly.
 
Weird....

There shouldnt be as the cables dont stretch at all...

The shoes will be great for 100k+ mileage,so no problem there.

When you adjusted the rear shoes did you adjust them up until the disc locked then back off the adjuster ?
 
Yes,

Adjusted them till they locked and then backed off 3-4 clicks. It made no difference to the number of ratchets the hand brake went up to stop the car rolling. Just don't understand why the spring wont push back to release the tension. 2 clicks backed off had them just dragging so did the 3-4 and had no drag. What a PIA this set up is.

Very Odd. Will keep searching other posts/ sites to see if I can get an answer.
 
No idea really, but it sounds like the adjuster is broken more than the brakes need adjustment. Something to consider?
 
Looks like I'll need to strip off the trim around the park brake to get at the spring and see whats going on. Maybe this week or at some other point I have the time and the motivation. :( It still works the brake ok just now so no rush.
 
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