Handbrake etc

amazon69 · Jan 29th, 2018, 15:14

Hi,

Further to my recent wrestles with the brakes on the Amazon, I have an issue now where the handbrake lever inside the drum keeps popping off due to wear on the pin that sits through the brake pad. Image shows the part. This part seems to be unavailable. Question 1: Has anyone got a drivers side one?
Q2: Can I not get rid of that annoying 'auto adjust' system and put in an older model manual adjust system instead? Thanks.

amazon69 · Jan 29th, 2018, 16:29

Ok, update. I spoke to Simon at Brookhouse to see if he had any parts/ideas. Eventually he remembered that Brian at Amazonia drills out the worn stud on the rear which causes all the problems and replaces it with a nut and bolt. So I did the same. Job done, for free. Hooray.

Ron Kwas · Jan 29th, 2018, 16:47

A69;

Answer to Q2: Look at picture...the Manual Adjuster IS already in place** (it adjusts the Bottom minimum separation of shoes, and is supposed to be adjusted periodically to minimize Pedal travel. BTW, Adjusters are of alu and steel and thus very susceptible to galvanic corrosion! Lube with graphite grease!).

Automatic adjuster works on Top end of Shoes (as do hydraulic pistons)...you can simply remove the Auto-Adjuster arrangement (Actuating Lever and Shoe-Spacer Lever with Star threaded adjustment), and replace it with a fixed dimension SSL, and done!

Please elaborate on why you find the 'auto adjust' system "annoying"!

** Edit: I stand corrected...what looks like a manual adjuster in the picture is apparently only a similarly sized spacer...I expect it could therefore be replaced by the actual Adjuster when making the retro-conversion. See also next posting.

Good Hunting!

amazon69 · Jan 29th, 2018, 17:13

What looks like an adjuster at the bottom of the pic is not, it's just a spacer. And I find the auto system annoying because the additional lever pushes up against the brake cylinder when the handbrake is on, causing the lever to shift, which causes wear on the rear pin, which got me to where I was today, removing the rear drum for the 10th time in a week.

Volvo_133 · Jan 29th, 2018, 17:19

Hi,
As you say the later cars just have a non adjusting block fitted in place of a manual adjuster. I have fitted earlier manual adjusters to my 1970 Amazon and the link bars in place of the auto adjusters. As Ron says wind the steel adjuster in and out with plenty of graphite grease before fitting the shoes. Greased annually will prevent corrosion issues.

amazon69 · Jan 29th, 2018, 17:37

Thanks. Does your later back plate have an opening for the adjuster or did you have to make one?

Jan 29th, 2018, 16:29	#2
amazon69 Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 19:39 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Falmouth	Ok, update. I spoke to Simon at Brookhouse to see if he had any parts/ideas. Eventually he remembered that Brian at Amazonia drills out the worn stud on the rear which causes all the problems and replaces it with a nut and bolt. So I did the same. Job done, for free. Hooray. __________________ Falmouth, Cornwall. 1970 California white 131.

Jan 29th, 2018, 16:47	#3
Ron Kwas Premier Member Last Online: Today 13:22 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Connecticut, USA	A69; Answer to Q2: Look at picture...the Manual Adjuster IS already in place (it adjusts the Bottom minimum separation of shoes, and is supposed to be adjusted periodically to minimize Pedal travel. BTW, Adjusters are of alu and steel and thus very susceptible to galvanic corrosion! Lube with graphite grease!). Automatic adjuster works on Top end of Shoes (as do hydraulic pistons)...you can simply remove the Auto-Adjuster arrangement (Actuating Lever and Shoe-Spacer Lever with Star threaded adjustment), and replace it with a fixed dimension SSL, and done! Please elaborate on why you find the 'auto adjust' system "annoying"! Edit: I stand corrected...what looks like a manual adjuster in the picture is apparently only a similarly sized spacer...I expect it could therefore be replaced by the actual Adjuster when making the retro-conversion. See also next posting. Good Hunting! Last edited by Ron Kwas; Jan 29th, 2018 at 19:07.

Jan 29th, 2018, 17:13	#4
amazon69 Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 19:39 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Falmouth	What looks like an adjuster at the bottom of the pic is not, it's just a spacer. And I find the auto system annoying because the additional lever pushes up against the brake cylinder when the handbrake is on, causing the lever to shift, which causes wear on the rear pin, which got me to where I was today, removing the rear drum for the 10th time in a week. __________________ Falmouth, Cornwall. 1970 California white 131.

Jan 29th, 2018, 17:37	#6
amazon69 Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 19:39 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Falmouth	Thanks. Does your later back plate have an opening for the adjuster or did you have to make one? __________________ Falmouth, Cornwall. 1970 California white 131.

Jan 29th, 2018, 17:19	#5
Volvo_133 VOC member Last Online: Yesterday 18:48 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sheffield	Hi, As you say the later cars just have a non adjusting block fitted in place of a manual adjuster. I have fitted earlier manual adjusters to my 1970 Amazon and the link bars in place of the auto adjusters. As Ron says wind the steel adjuster in and out with plenty of graphite grease before fitting the shoes. Greased annually will prevent corrosion issues.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)