New discs and pads. Now handbrake doesn't work?

adam cool dude

adam cool dude

adam cool dude

Caporegime
Joined
22 Oct 2002
Posts
28,637
Location
Boston, Lincolnshire
Changed the brake pads and discs on the missus car during the weekend. The pads were very low. Everything back together fine. Handbrake mechanism moving freely on both sides and I can feel tension building when I apply the hand brake but not much. The cable adjusted to the max but still no grip. The handbrake was working fine before the change as well. All I can think is maybe the cables are stretched too much as before I changed the pads the handbrake needed to be pulled up a lot for grip. Ive changed dozens of discs, calipers and pads in the past and never ended up with a problem like this :confused:.
 
Use the brakes a bit. Take it for a spin round the block a few time.

Will go back to normal after a bit. Well should do.
 
When you changed the pads, you will have wound the pistons back in on the rear brakes.

When you jumped back in the car, did you pump the brake pedal to bring the pistons out to make contact with the pads/disc before applying the handbrake?
 
Have you adjusted the calipers or just at the handbrake handle?

Is the brake fluid at the right level?

Are there are breaks/buldges in the flexis?
 
Berger said:
When you changed the pads, you will have wound the pistons back in on the rear brakes.

When you jumped back in the car, did you pump the brake pedal to bring the pistons out to make contact with the pads/disc before applying the handbrake?
Click to expand...

Yes I wound the calipers back but I can not remember if I applied the handbrake before I pumped the brakes. Would this have caused the problem? In January I had to change the OSR caliper because it seized but when I put everything back together it was fine. I know some cars have adjustment screws for the caliper but I couldn't find one in these calipers. The car is a 2003 Nissan Primera.
 
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Sounds like the auto adjustment isn't working, I would start again, slacken all the adjustment off so there is plenty of free play in the cable and the arms are back on the stop. Take the caliper off and wind the piston out until its within 1mm of the pads, refit the caliper then operate the handbrake arm by hand until the piston has come out and it locks on to the disc when you push the lever. You should be able to feel the movement getting less as you work it. Then adjust up the cable and operate the handbrake a few times before you put your foot on the brake.
 
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