Adjusting 1996 Excel Handbrake
RMD
My 1996 Hyundai Excel has clocked up about 170,000Km. The rear brake
shoes still have plenty of meat on them, and I haven't changed the
rear shoes though I've changed the front pads twice now.
However, the handbrake has gradually gone out of adjustment over the
years, and recently it finally got bad enough to adjust it.
I had a short-form repair manual for the 96 Excel which showed the
handrake layout in pictures, but was a bit short on step-by-step
detail on how to go about adjusting the handbrake.
I lifted up the back seat squab and pulled out the three carpet hold
down plugs. I pulled the carpet back as far as I could and propped it
up with a small bar.
The handbrake cable adjusting nut can be adjusted with a 3/8" drive
long 12mm socket on an extension bar with a ratchet drive and reaching
through under the pulled up carpet to get the _long_ socket onto the
adjusting nut.
Normally I'd jack the rear of the car up and pull the handbrake on 3
clicks of the ratchet. Then I'd adjust the cable adjusting nut until I
could just feel slight drag when turning the rear wheels by hand. This
would have the handbrake adjusted pefectly.
In my particular case I was a bit lazier than this. I just adjusted
the cable adjusting nut until I could pull the handbrake on hard
without hitting the end stop. Crude but effective. I'm sure this
adjustment will see the car out. :)
Ross