Practically Classics Forum

i disconnected the handbrake cable & it works fine but the cable seems to be a bit stiff & when i reconnect the cable it stays on....otherwise the caliper seems to be ok

Assuming the cable is not sticking internally (possible if there is some water inside and it is freezing) is the return spring on that side still fitted and not excessively rusty?
I have had problems on my focus where a previous owner had "adjusted" the handbrake cable so the handle felt "positive" but in doing so the brake never fully released. You have to wind the adjusters off so both the levers touch the stops with the brake off. It automatically adjusts so after you have set the initial tension you should never need to touch it.

cheers, it all worked fine until i took the caliper apart to get the brake pad pattern, i havent touched any adjusters return spring seems fine...
where are the adjusters

Stretching my memory, the change over year is 2005 and pre '05 it is on the handbrake lever itself, post '05 you can adjust each side independently on the cables just before they connect to the callipers.
It's easy to see if it needs adjusting or not, put the car in gear and take the handbrake off, if the handbrake levers on each calliper release far enough to rest on the stops, they are fine.

cheers terry! ours is an 04 nearly a classic ive just disconnected the cable & it seems solid & wont slide... although how water gort in there is a mystery..

What seems solid and won't slide? At least changing the cable is a fairly easy job if that is the problem The sliders themselves are easy to clean, the calliper itself, less so but you should be able to get the crud out with a screwdriver and a rag. Assuming it is water freezing, WD40 does exactly what it says on the tin.

handbrake cable is solid!! its now warming by the fire... wifey needs car as im working this afternoon.. some idiot sold his spare car
cheers mate!! you win this months top bloke award

Once again, assuming it is water and not the cable is damaged, once you have defrosted it, hold it up and put some drops of oil on it then slide it as far as you can a few times, repeat until you see oil at the other end.

2 minutes by the fire & its free ive just hung it up & water started running out

Took the speedo out of the V8 yesterday, to get it recalibrated. Will need to take it out of the garage as there isn't enough room to push it and turn the wheels six times.