i have a 5 speed 1990 gxl and my handbrake is weak, how do i tighten it? thanks

 

Step #1, make sure your brake pads and rotors are good and in spec and that the e-brake part of the calipers move freely

Step 2, crawl underneath under the ***, theres an adjustment for the cables

Step 3, take the cover off the base of the handle, theres an adjustment there also

 

^^^ Step #1
In the 28+ years I've owned my 90 GXL, I've never needed to adjust the cables.

 

awesome i was wondering how you adjusted these not too long imma try this myself later

 

I typically find that parking break issues with these cars are typically brake pads being more than half worn. Yeah, the parking brake mechanism in the calipers is supposed to be self adjusting but it seems some calipers will do that and still really clamp down while others will not.

As far as adjustment at the handle goes, I believe it is 7 clicks to fully engaged that you are looking for.

Make sure the mechanism at the calipers engages and releases smoothly. Check your pad thickness.. turn the pistons in and out a bit a few times and see if that helps.