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MG TD TF 1500 - Parking brake adjustment

Hello, I'm looking for some help on how to properly adjust my parking brake on my TF. About a year ago I replaced the rear brake drums, and since don't feel that the parking brake is properly adjusted. I've adjusted it through the brake adjustment, and through the nuts next to the handle but the break never really seems to grab hold. If I put the brake on as tight as I can, I'm still able to get the vehicle to roll by pushing the car. Whereas previously to this, if you put the brake on there was no budging the car.Any help would be greatly appreciated.
TR Hammond

There is a specific procedure to go through to adjust the handbrake. you can find it in workshop manual. Here is the link , Page 172.

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1493371/Mg-Tf-Series.html?page=172#manual

John


J Scragg

Thank you john, this is definitely not how I have adjusted this.
TR Hammond

One thing, that you should check, not mentioned in the procedure, ensure that the inner cables are not seized (frozen) in their outer casing. to do so, when the cables are disconnected from the wheel cylinder levers, move the handbrake up and down and verify that they are free to slide.

John
J Scragg

John. Great tip. I had not read that and have had my car for 48 years. I will set it correctly now.
Bruce Cunha

Bruce,

I have had my TD for 26 years and only needed to do this adjustment 3 times, the first was when I changed the rear wheel cylinders, the second was when I changed the handbrake cables and the third was when the new cables had stretched. When checking the brake system, prior to the biannual test, I always count the number of clicks that the hand brake lever moves through to lock the rear wheels, 5 or 6 clicks is ok, if more then I know that the rear brake shoes need adjusting.

John
J Scragg

I adjust per the manual, important point is that brakes be adjusted first.

I set the cable so the Clovis pins drop in, then I check that at 3-4 clicks the drag is the same on both sides. If not, I investigate. Might need to check brake adjustment.

Then the final step is with the handbrake fully applied the wheels cannot be rotated.

I have just fitted NOS cables, expecting some stretch over time.

It is equally important that there is no aspdditional drag with handbrake fully off.

Peter
P G Gilvarry

Replacement cables now have grease fittings to avoid the freezing issue.

Jim
James Neel

This thread was discussed between 31/10/2022 and 01/11/2022

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