adam1942 Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 I know this is a common fault (noted here viewtopic.php?f=10&t=86&start=15) but my Z is a Dec 2006.. Will the dealer still fix this or should it have been fixed if the pads where replaced? I noticed there's a guide is it safe enough to do myself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cragus Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 I believe this is easy enough but it is your brakes - these are pretty important so if you have any doubts get it into a garage. From memory there are small circular holes on the rear hub and inside this there are small cogs that tighten/loosen the handbrake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vik54 Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Even when you do get it adjusted - don't trust it leave it in gear! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam1942 Posted January 22, 2012 Author Share Posted January 22, 2012 Cheers folks will get it in to a garage asap.. I leave it in gear but when I noticed it I was on a hill in traffic.. not pleasant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmck13 Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Will not really improve, well known problem, check its adjusted to the relevant "clicks" on the hand brake then ignore that and place it in either forward gear if facing uphill and reverse if facing downhill, turning the front wheel into the kerb, then don't worry about it. My mechanic will tell you they have never repaced the handbrake drum discs on a 350z through wear. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDMetal Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 mine does the same, id never thought it might be a common issue actually! I was going to get it checked out but if its a 'feature' il just leave it, It does work if you really pull on the handle but very annoying! What causes it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbitstew Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 My 07 is the same. If the hill is more than just a slight slope the handbrake will just not hold it at all, even if its pulled up hard. I always make sure i leave it in gear. Its always been like that since I got the car, but now with its MOT coming up im wondering if its likely to be a failure? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam1942 Posted January 24, 2012 Author Share Posted January 24, 2012 Rabbit I don't think it will be a failure as mine was done in December 2011 by the previous owner and it passed. Don't know what causes it but its a crap handbrake! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seamybaby Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 pull it on a bit harder ffs...............i never had any problems with it,jumped out of the rollers at mot chum................. seamy.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doctor austin Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 I agree its a common issue, my thoughts as to the reason are that the the size of the brake shoes that are actually on the inside of the rear discs are very small coupled with the fact that the 'drum' diameter is small... effectively the hub of the disc. so small drum, small shoes = poor handbrake, on the plus side the discs a great though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicky Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 My handbrake's been the same from new, so always left it in gear on a hill. My main dealer doesn’t adjust the handbrake when changing pads. Last summer I did the pads and handbrake myself. I stripped the handbrake assembly instead of just adjusting it and was pleased I did. The reason was I was able to clean and lub where necessary but more importantly I found the handbrake shoes looked to be “glazed†over as did the brake drum. I wire brushed the pads and drum to rough them up and brake the glaze, reassembled, the handbrake's now tick idy boo . By the way if you just keep pulling it on harder each time you'll end up needing new cabels as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planetsurfer2 Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Abbey adjusted mine (Virtually non existent) when I had an engine change. works perfectly now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbitstew Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 My handbrake's been the same from new, so always left it in gear on a hill. My main dealer doesn’t adjust the handbrake when changing pads.Last summer I did the pads and handbrake myself. I stripped the handbrake assembly instead of just adjusting it and was pleased I did. The reason was I was able to clean and lub where necessary but more importantly I found the handbrake shoes looked to be “glazed†over as did the brake drum. I wire brushed the pads and drum to rough them up and brake the glaze, reassembled, the handbrake's now tick idy boo . By the way if you just keep pulling it on harder each time you'll end up needing new cabels as well Might have to have a go at that if i get some spare time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 I have barely used it in 5 1/2 years! I have barely used a handbrake since one snapped in traffic 11 years ago and I nearly rolled into the car behind! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDMetal Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 I decided to have a play with this at the weekend did my best to adjust each drum, drivers side i got tight, passenger side didnt seem to want to get any tighter, slackened them off tightened up the handbrake, it feels better when parked (pulling away with the handbrake on seems harder, very scientific) tried it in a multistory carpark ramp and zero grip just rolled right back, popping it in the opposite gear did nothing either (im assuming all your doing is adding the engines weight to the wheels anyways) So whats the next step? I cant believe I cant park on a hill or stop in traffic on a hill, Is it time to take the discs off and have a look in the drum? Any decent guides? as always the manual is vague in a detailed way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob63 Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 I agree its a common issue, my thoughts as to the reason are that the the size of the brake shoes that are actually on the inside of the rear discs are very small coupled with the fact that the 'drum' diameter is small... effectively the hub of the disc. so small drum, small shoes = poor handbrake, on the plus side the discs a great though! +1 and well described , pull the drums off and then you'll realise that you'd have more resistance if trying to pull a hen of its nest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebized Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Very useful guide and pics here that includes the handbrake adjustment viewtopic.php?f=35&t=16773&hilit=handbrake+adjustment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDMetal Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 funky, cheers for that im def tempted to take the discs off and see how the drum/pads/springs look I cant believe that its this bad new something must have worn/relaxed whatever in 7 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sasha@lazytrips Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Abbey adjusted mine (Virtually non existent) when I had an engine change. works perfectly now. Same for me. Abbey adjusted the handbrake and it works perfectly now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDMetal Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 when you say perfectly what sort of hills are we talking about? Mine holds on a gentle gradiant but if its multistorey carpark I just roll back to the bottom of the ramp fairly quickly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbitstew Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 when you say perfectly what sort of hills are we talking about? Mine holds on a gentle gradiant but if its multistorey carpark I just roll back to the bottom of the ramp fairly quickly! Anything more than a gentle gradient has mine rolling away. I always have to remember to leave it in gear. Interestingly, the car passed its MOT perfectly fine a few days ago, so I guess even though its fairly poor it must still be strong enough for the MOT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDMetal Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 hm leaving it in gear makes next to no difference for me, should it actually stop the car? I find it maybe slows it down a little bit but thats it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sasha@lazytrips Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 when you say perfectly what sort of hills are we talking about? Mine holds on a gentle gradiant but if its multistorey carpark I just roll back to the bottom of the ramp fairly quickly! When I say perfectly I mean that I can and have parked on the steepest possible hills using handbrake alone and the car is absolutely secure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDMetal Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 when you say perfectly what sort of hills are we talking about? Mine holds on a gentle gradiant but if its multistorey carpark I just roll back to the bottom of the ramp fairly quickly! When I say perfectly I mean that I can and have parked on the steepest possible hills using handbrake alone and the car is absolutely secure. cool now that sounds pretty good gives me hope It can be cleaned up and got working correctly, Im asusming they took the discs off and cleaned up the brake shoes etc nicely to get that level of performance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sasha@lazytrips Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 when you say perfectly what sort of hills are we talking about? Mine holds on a gentle gradiant but if its multistorey carpark I just roll back to the bottom of the ramp fairly quickly! When I say perfectly I mean that I can and have parked on the steepest possible hills using handbrake alone and the car is absolutely secure. cool now that sounds pretty good gives me hope It can be cleaned up and got working correctly, Im asusming they took the discs off and cleaned up the brake shoes etc nicely to get that level of performance? No idea, but the car used to slip on the slightest gradient no matter how tightly I pulled the handbrake It was on a massive to-do list and when I picked the car up the handbrake worked like it should Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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