Handbrake Adjustment

erb

Can anybody please tell me how to adjust the handbrake on a Ford Focus CL 2001?

adouglasmhor

Pull up the skirt on the handbrake lever carefully. Theres an adjustment nut there, tighten it till you need only 3 clicks for full on. If the cable breaks you probably need to replace the brake shoes.

anewman

It's best to chock the front wheels and jack and support the rear. It needs to be adjusted such that no resistance is felt on either wheel with the handbrake off. A binding handbrake wouldn't be any good for the shoes or fuel efficiency.

It may actually be even better yet to have the rear wheels and drums removed and have the shoes adjusted. Apparently brake shoe auto-adjusters tend not to work very well in all car brands and models.

erb

adouglasmhor

I have just found this that says you have to take out the centre console rather than just lift up the skirt. What do you think. Is it easy to lift up the skirt and is there then enough room to adjust?

bored_of_debt

Unless it's slack thats developed over time on the cable part, it's prob the shoes or pads...

goldspanners

ive never adjusted the cable on my focus,always take off back drums and adjust at the shoes,the adjustment this way will last longer and be more effective.