Handbrake problems

[Stan Field]

Hi guys. Hope someone can help. I have a '98 Explorer 4.0 litre V6 (UK spec) & I cannot make the handbrake work! I've replaced the rear discs,pads & brake shoes, adjusted the shoes until they are just binding,but the h'brake will not hold the car even on a gentle slope. The h'brake cables seem to have a lot of slack as the h'brake lever comes all the way up. I cannot see any way to adjust the cable - is there an adjuster anywhere? If not,must I assume that the cables are badly stretched & will need replacing? Anyone got any suggestions?

 

[RyansX]

About a foot towards the front of the rear axle on the drivers side on the frame there is a tensioner. If that spring is loose you can get a new one. If that spring is tight then you can try tightening the actual tensioner. Hope this helps!

 

[Stan Field]

Hi, thanks for that. However I think the tensioner you're refering to is only on LHD cars which have a foot operated parking brake, with the cable,as you say, running along the left side frame member. RHD vehicles have a handbrake lever in the centre console, with the cable running in the transmission tunnel, & I cannot see any way of adjusting it. Anyway, thanks again. Stan