I'm having some trouble getting my handbrake/emergency brake tightened. It will hold at the moment but it doesn't lock the wheels if you're moving. The nut at the lever is fully tightened and I've searched already. Can any body shed some light on this?

 

sounds like your cable is stretched

i would first check the cable at the brakes themselves and see whats going on there

 

My handbrake seems to be doing the same thing - I've always thought it was just the weak rear brakes and fat tyres meant that it wasn't able to lock the rears up, at least not at 30 or 40km/h. Can anyone confirm if this is right or wrong?

 

Before messing with the cable, check your rear brake pads. New pads will make a difference.

 

Maybe my cable is stretched? Where should I start looking under the car? I've had a look at the calipers and they seem fine. I don't think its my pads as they're quite new.

Maybe its a New Zealand thing Enervation...

 

You won't be able to see anything. It's just too old and needs to be replaced.

 

Are there no other adjustment point other than the one at the lever?

 

how much does a new cable go for? mine never locked either but it does slow down/stop the car when pulled all the way up

 

what cable needs replaced ? the front or the 2 rear's ? or all 3 of them ?
i have new pads and it's fully tightened also

 

My question is... why do you need a hand brake to skid the tires? Mine holds my car when I park and thats all I need it for, I use horsepower to break the rear tires loose

 

Easiest explanation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyG0mWtcp6Y

 

Are they high performance pads? Those usually won't have enough coefficient of friction when they are cold to lock the brakes. And, until new pads are thoroughly bedded in, they also lack stopping power.

 

They're bedded in, but are performance pads.

I'm going to order a new cable and see if that helps.

 

hey boro fd, pm me and let me know how much you got it for