Hand brake balance

[IB6376CY]

Gentlemen, what is the trick to balance the hand brake effectiveness between both sides. The RH gets a 2 Nm on the roller but the LH only 1Nm. Driving on the road and applying the hand brake, the RH side locks before the other, almost snatches and locks the wheel. I've tried driving with the hand brake partially on incase there was any drum glazing or w.h.y., but to no avail. Any suggestions as to what could be going on here before I get my hands dirty ? (LHD, 325icab, '91, 93k miles)

[Brianmoooore]

Depends how they've been treated in the past. If the handbrake has ever been 'adjusted' by tightening the cables, then the shoes will have worn to two different radii, with the result that all of the friction surface cannot be in contact with the drum at the same time.
If this has happened, then the solution is new shoes and adjust them and the cables from scratch, ensuring that the cable adjustment just takes up all the slack, and does not move the expander in the drum at all with the handbrake lever down.
If the shoes haven't been damaged by missadjustment, then checking the cable adjustment as above, and then adjusting the star wheels carefully, should get them as balanced as they can get.

[IB6376CY]

Thank you for your answer.
This came to light at the MOT, where it failed, and I was not aware of it before.
Just before the MOT, the left wheel bearing was changed at trusted garage and I think that would disturb the hand brake set up during dismantling, would you agree?
I took it back to the garage and there they tried to get a balance using the roller adjustment, and the difference was improved on that side, but not equal. They didn't touch the cable adjustment.
Now it has been suggested that the drums could be skimmed and replace the shoes.
But from what you said, would I be correct to say that the rollers must be backed right off, on both sides, and then take up the slack in the cables before using the roller. Also,where do I find the cable adjustment?
If that is right, how do you adjust the roller, by just making contact then back off a couple of turns, turning the drum by hand to feel when its free?
Your opinion will be welcomed!

[BenHar]

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... Adjustment

Ben

[IB6376CY]

BenHar, many thanks for that!

[IB6376CY]

Just to conclude this issue. The hand brake drums were skimmed and new shoes fitted for about a hundred pounds and all is good now. Thanks for all input.