Why are Ford handbrakes soooo bad???

Fev · 03-09-2008, 02:09 PM

I know everyones always complained about them ones or twice, i mean just read the park in gear or neutral thread, no one has any faith in them.

And the only thing that people only ever come up with a way to tighten them. but it never lasts...
(i dont mean every ford but the later model handbrakes are shocking!)
So..

WHY ARE OUR HANDBRAKES ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE!!

is there a credible reason or are Ford engineers without hills where they design them?

**Peuty** · 03-09-2008, 02:11 PM

Because a paraplegic horse designed them.

GreenMachine · 03-09-2008, 02:16 PM

Dealership apprentices doing handbrakies before delivery...

Fev · 03-09-2008, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenMachine

Dealership apprentices doing handbrakies before delivery...

No fair! its what i wanted to do as soon as i got it up the cul-de-sac :P but instead it just bogged down on the left hand side lol..

but yeah is there any actual reason?

BlackLS · 03-09-2008, 02:21 PM

The focus handbrake is excellent. It actually uses the calipers on the rear discs instead of drums.

FPV GT40 · 03-09-2008, 02:30 PM

Been driving Fords for 25 years, never had any issues with hand brakes, the one in my EL XR8 has never even been adjusted in the last 5 years and works perfectly.

BF GT hand brake excellent so far over the last 1.5 years.

The only hand brake I ever had trouble with was my XB GT, till I learned how to adjust them correctly and I bought the little adjusting tool for it, no drama since.

Have had many other Fords inbetween no issues with hand brakes ever...so not sure what people are talking about.

Then again I adjust my own when required, may be the problem is letting Ford Mechanice near them, in the other thread there is one prooving ground mechanic that has never even learned to park a car correctly, so what hope would they have of adjusting a handbrake???

03-09-2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackLS

The focus handbrake is excellent. It actually uses the calipers on the rear discs instead of drums.

Yep, our 1996 Corolla has one of these. It's a spring which holds the caliper shut, it's never given any problems.

Adjusting shoes is a pain.

BIGJB · 03-09-2008, 02:34 PM

They simply aren't adjusted correctly.
I still have to do mine since brake change as the guys who put
the T3 brakes on had no idea like most don't.
My last 1 was fantastic but in saying that I did it myself so
it was done correctly.
All you need to do is jack rear of car up.
Adjust 1 side 1\2 turn.
Go to other side adjust 1\2 turn.
Check by putting Hand Brake on.
Repeat until it is nice and firm and not dragging
when you turn wheel.

FPV GT40 · 03-09-2008, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99GHIA

They simply aren't adjusted correctly.
I still have to do mine since brake change as the guys who put
the T3 brakes on had no idea like most don't.
My last 1 was fantastic but in saying that I did it myself so
it was done correctly.
All you need to do is jack rear of car up.
Adjust 1 side 1\2 turn.
Go to other side adjust 1\2 turn.
Check by putting Hand Brake on.
Repeat until it is nice and firm and not dragging
when you turn wheel.

Another one for do it yourself if you want it to work...

The XB, XC onwards rear disks had the handbrake on the caliper, and they were the worst, they changed to drums as they are a better handbrake, and nor affected by pad wear etc.

The caliper ones in the jap cars might be a better design I guess.

Nappa · 03-09-2008, 04:14 PM

apparently the FG has a self adjusting handbrake, maybe thats ford trying to fix a long running problem

WindsorXR · 03-09-2008, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nappa

apparently the FG has a self adjusting handbrake, maybe thats ford trying to fix a long running problem

Thats true. And it's not the easiest thing to adjust and rig up when your installing a brand new setup into a car. You have to put a screwdriver down the side of the handle and try and flick a tab back, while trying to pull the handbrake up as far as it can go.

joolz · 03-09-2008, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackLS

The focus handbrake is excellent. It actually uses the calipers on the rear discs instead of drums.

Ah so same as the X series falcons!

Falc'man · 03-09-2008, 04:48 PM

The real problem is people do overload them by not engaging a gear when parking on an incline, and they just leave it neutral.

J_Tank · 03-09-2008, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falc'man

The real problem is people do overload them by not engaging a gear when parking on an incline, and they just leave it neutral.

Had 2 Ba's and no handbrake problems whatsoever. I guess I'm not doing whatever you guys are doing with them....

Antwon · 03-09-2008, 09:02 PM

the handbrake in my NF fairlane was adjusted about 4 months ago and still works just as good, although before that it didnt work well, and the one in my mums AU doesnt work well

xy500 · 03-09-2008, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falc'man

The real problem is people do overload them by not engaging a gear when parking on an incline, and they just leave it neutral.

thats pretty funny, but seriously, my xy park brake still works great, adjust it myself once a year or so and she'll keep her nice and stationary

Hunter · 03-09-2008, 08:55 PM

Everyone who's owned a Falcon has had problems with their handbrake... mine slowly got to the point where it did nothing. My cousin's EB's handbrake ended up seizing on, several times (even after adjustment).

I think Ford's handbrake is only marginally better than a brick on a rope or an anchor.

Windsor220 · 03-09-2008, 09:09 PM

Most of the bigger cars (Falcon, Commodore, Magna) have issues with it.

I think there isnt a problem if its adjusted properly. During services, mechanics adjust it by tightening the cable at the lever because its quicker and easier. Overtime as the shoe wears away the rear adjustment goes out.

J_Tank · 03-09-2008, 09:00 PM

Mind you previous car, AU series 1 ute was useles..

Creampuff · 03-09-2008, 09:03 PM

mine is non-existent now! only fault

**Jastel** · 03-09-2008, 09:09 PM

They are not a great design, they can be made to work but need constant adjustment at every oil change to keep them good. Most people want a handbrake that works and they don't need to constantly adjust

Rodp · 03-09-2008, 09:46 PM

Handbrakehysteria.

Was the other thread closed?

mik · 04-09-2008, 01:09 AM

there is a problem ......blokes don`t know how to adjust them.

**ebxr8240** · 04-09-2008, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mik

there is a problem ......blokes don`t know how to adjust them.

Agree X's 2..

BIGJB · 04-09-2008, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mik

there is a problem ......blokes don`t know how to adjust them.

That the 1

FPV GT40 · 04-09-2008, 09:08 AM

Exactly what I said earlier...

Learn how to adjust them correctly I currently own three Falcons, none have a hand brake issue, and I only adjust them every 12-24 months as neccessary, My XR8 has not had an adjustment since I last did it about 5 years ago, and its my daily driver. No issues whatsoever.

The problem is as outlined lack of knowledge/care by owners/mechanics adjusting them.

Learn how to do it correctly, do it yourself and your issues will be gone for good.

ILLaViTaR · 04-09-2008, 03:45 AM

My ED hasn't had the hand brake since it left the factory.

Works perfect.

Spanrz · 04-09-2008, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILLaViTaR

My ED hasn't had the hand brake since it left the factory.

Works perfect.

Umm, ED brakes are different to that of the BA-BF.

I already commented on the handbrake design. Poorly engineered, on a 1 piece ring than a 2 piece double leading edge (floating) drum system. (IMHO is the best there is). Don't know what Ford were thinking in going away from this design.

I think Ford tried to re-invent the wheel. One's wheel doesn't need fixed until a spoke is broken.

But the only way to fix these issues, is to adjust it slightly tighter than looser.
Maybe Ford do it tight, so you will be less often to come back to them. (complain less)

I've done a few adjustments, and the only one that really works well and for a long time, is to do it up tight (just where the disc stops) and back of a couple of notches on the adjuster wheel. I did it the proper way (Ford's way) and all it did was create the squeak sqeak noise in about 4 weeks.
Handbrake lever was around 2-3 notches.
Never felt better.

bodes-sh · 04-09-2008, 09:16 AM

i adjusted mine about 2 years ago and it's still fine, may need it again soon, takes about 8 clicks to hold the car on a moderate hill before putting it into park... au1 by the way, as above, if you know how to adjust them properly there is nothing wrong with them, think about it, it needs a working handbrake to pass rego....

Cobra · 04-09-2008, 10:01 AM

They are a huge problem. I used to work at a dealer up until 2 years ago. I would adjust BA's all the time. Nearly as frequently as we would machine discs. Theres a full TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) about them, such is the problem. I have to say that I do beleive on the BA's that people do often overload them, but they aren't a good design never the less.

We had our BA for 5 years, 130,000km and I only ever adjusted the handbrake once. My AU XR8 on the other hand needed to be adjusted a few times. But the problem is that there is usually a number of problems. Not many people seem to be able to get it sroted the first time because they aren't exactly sure why it's not adjusting properly, and sometimes it's too hard to tell. It could be the cable stretched, it could be the shoes worn, it could be the adjusting wheels seized, it could be an issue to do with the banksia arm location/wear.

There is many threads about this issue including an self adjustment guide based on Fords TSB that I have compiled some 2 and a half years ago. If anyone needs it search for "proper fix wanted for dissapearing handbrake" in the B-series section.