Handbrake adjustment

[ConvertChris]

Hi
Handbrake on my 318 cab is really slack and I can't see how to adjust it, I hope I don't have to remove the disc's do I??
It is a 91 model,I have been advised that a screwdriver through a wheel stud hole and find the ratchet but I couldn't feel or see bugger all?
Any help greatly apprecited

[Brianmoooore]

The adjustment is by turning a toothed wheel, which is accessed through a wheel stud hole.
Find a miniature light bulb that is small enough to go through a wheel bolt hole, solder a couple of pieces of wire onto it, connect it to a battery of an appropriate voltage, and push it inside the hub.
With it all lit up in there, the adjustment is easy.
Before you start, ensure that the cables are completely slack with the handbrake lever fully off. Back the nuts off if you're not sure, and adjust them when the hub adjustment is correct.

[clipper]

To be fair, if you've not done it before you're likely to save time in the long run by removing the discs to look at and understand the mechanism. Once you've seen how it all works (and taken advantage to clean up the inside of the drum) the method which brian suggests is very easy.

[ConvertChris]

Hi,
I might just as well whip the disc off as the wheel will be off anyway and have a butchers, as long as a load of springs and brakes shoes done fall out on the floor

Thanks both for your help!

[daimlerman]

Mr Moore is absolutely right,my issue with his method is getting myself and the car into such a position to be able to peer into the brake drum!
If you have the vehicle on a lift,it must be very simple.

I work with my cars on axle stands,so find it far easier to pull the drum/disc off and wind the adjuster a bit,slide the thing back on and keep repeating until I am happy with the setting.

Off course,if when you pull the drum/disc off,a pile of bits falls out,you have discovered why you were unable to make the thing work....