Continuing from my last comment from 3 months ago, I finally got around to performing this handbrake adjustment on my VX. After getting the adjustment cogs unseized, I got it done fairly smoothly. As I suspected, the left-hand side was far out of adjustment compared to the right-hand side. The shoes and rotors didn't appear to be unevenly worn, so I'm unsure how it could have ended up so far out of adjustment. I achieved 4 clicks on a flat surface and 6 clicks on slopes - all in all, a success. Thank you again!
Hi Samuel! Thank you for your feedback! I mentioned that "four to five clicks" is what I prefer.Sure, you can set it differently. And my way of doing it is only a guide. I am not taking into account things like: stretched brake cable, Holden modified brakes pads shoes*, unequally warn rotors etc. * Holden had modified the brake pad shoes by installing a bracket with spring to keep them centralized and contracted then handbrake is off. That is why on original version if you have a bit of touching - doesn't mean that both pads are touching. Best deal on Modified version is available from REPCO. In regards of final adjustment I recommend following: Move you seat all the way back and expose the hand brake handle by lifting the soft plastic cover (no need to take it off). Under the cover you will be able to see a long bolt with 10 mm nut. This nut regulates the cable tightness. If your pads touching the rotors too much unwind the nut, if too loose tighten the nut.You ,obviously, understand that it is only good if none of cable sections are stretched (if so that's another job). In my case: I knew that cables are good, the 10 mm nut not wound all the way down and have plenty of room to be adjusted. To answer your question: Why 4-5 clicks? First is a safety:shorter travel - quicker response, especially during the rain and on highways, second and most important: it is convenient for my wife - so I never have her objections to spent time with my "Interceptor" ))) Best Regards
Very comprehensive video, thanks for taking the time to make it! I recently had to replace the handbrake cable on my VX and my understanding is that tightening purely from the cable can cause premature stretching, i.e. it will just snap again, so I didn't deliberately adjust it to 4-5 clicks like I prefer - rather I adjusted the lever nut to the same position as the old one, knowing that the adjustment needs to be made at the wheels. When applying the handbrake on any sort of slope, I can distinctly feel the car wanting to roll on only one rear wheel, unless I pull tighter - very obviously in need of adjustment and/or shoe replacement. Needing to pull tighter is likely what caused the lever cable to snap in the first place. Thanks again!
Excellent video Alex, very helpful for me and my SS Ute (first car I've had with rear disc brakes). Turned out to be much the same as adjusting rear drum brakes. Who'd have guessed. Thank you.
Good video Alex. Thanks for the tips mate. It's a wonder they just didn't have a slot in the backing plate so you can adjust it the way you can on almost all drum brake systems. My VZ Calais is the first car I've owned with 4 wheel disc brakes, and I didn't even know that there was a different set of brake pads for the handbrake. you are never too old to learn something new. Thanks again.
Thanks Alex, I just bought a VY, and the handbrake was nearly pointing at the roof, I used your video, and it was quick and easy. It now comes up 5 clicks, and is perfect now.
fantastic mate thanks, especially the guide for left and right star nut wheel adjustment. ..i was stuck on which side was up tight and down loosen...champion. ..
Great video, first time doing it for my berlina and you've helped lots. Unfortunately, 19mm on the back of the caliper had issues but using the adjustment hole worked out.
Just ran across your video and found it very helpful. Not sure if I would have figured it out from the written instructions in the service manual. THANKS!
Thinking should tighten cable first by hand brake, then fine tune left right balance using these adjusters. Just had a go and video was a big help thanks.
Grateful Alex but found I could do my adjustments without removing rear pads to do they adjustments on my 02 VX calais... Thanks for the help as she has a W.O.F now.
Hey Alex! Great video, is this same process for cars with an lsd and cars with locked diff? What's the best way to determine if the cable is stretched?
My VX has a VZ rear end it and the adjustment wheel does absolutely nothing. I pulled both sides out where the handbrake shoe rests on and there is no thread in there at all on ether side to adjust the points out. The handbrake cable just pulls the lever and pushes the two pivot points out to open up the handbrake shoe.
I changed my hand brake pads and all was good but after i notice that the hand brake only works when the car is moving forward but if the car is rolling back the brakes dont work at all ,weird i cant figure it out. If u know please help
Great video Alex. I was looking for videos because I changed my rotors and pads and wanted to adjust the handbrake but the cog wouldn't turn, is there a trick to turning it I notice in the video you don't show when you actually turning it.
hi alex my vy calais handbrake doesnt stay on when you pull it uo theres no clicks and there no button on the end of the actual hand brake any ideas hows to replace it cheers
At the end, you show the ideal adjustment with 4 clicks of the hand-brake. However, you mention there is still friction from the brake shoes when the brake is released fully. Surely this is a bad thing? When the car is driven, will it not rub and cause wear and extra rolling resistance? My VY's hand-brake only works right near the top, but it still locks firm and holds the car. I am happier this way, as I know there is no resistance from the brake shoes being too tight. Can you advise on how 4-clicks is good?
Hi Trevor! First I would check: 1. Wattage on brake lights bulbs-it has to be the same. 2. Brake lights relay 3. Limit switch of brake pedal (push/release button) If all above OK you need to check wiring and computer.In these scenarios I recomend to involve auto electrician. Regards Alex
You dont wipe off brake cleaner with a cloth , brake cleaner is designed to dry quickly by itself , you saturate the whole assembly in brake clean which lifts dirt off , and it drys by itself
Hi! I would tension the 10mm nut near the handbrake lever. If the nut on its maximum tension, I would replace the cable, it is a bigger job which requires a hoist to work under a vehicle, which can be done in a workshop by qualified mechanic. Do not forget, that stretched cable has no adequate integrity and might geopardize your safety.
Mate, you missed out showing the hard bits, removing the caliper, its b hard to undo those 19mm bolts, feels like there about 90 ft lbs tight. BTW They look like once only types to me. Getting the rusted on rotor is another one, I got it off with a bolt and nut behind rotor through the caliper mounting hole to tension it up than hitting on the hand brake hub. Now the next problem, The rough adjustment ? the cog move two clicks, up or down seems to be ceased up somehow.
What do you think the rubber grommets in the rotors are for? You don't need to remove your calliper or rotors at all. You simply remove the wheels, remove one of the rubber grommets, line the hole up with adjustment spindle and make your adjustment with a screwdriver. This will save you $200 in dodgy backyard mechanic fees.
Hi Peter, You are correct! And.I highlighted this. However, you will not be able to check the condition of your rear shoe pads and their positioning as well as cable tensioning and interconnecting spring. Grommets are good only if you confident that the rest works well. However, on any vehicle 10 y/old and more it is unlikely the case. Thank you for your comment!
Continuing from my last comment from 3 months ago, I finally got around to performing this handbrake adjustment on my VX. After getting the adjustment cogs unseized, I got it done fairly smoothly. As I suspected, the left-hand side was far out of adjustment compared to the right-hand side. The shoes and rotors didn't appear to be unevenly worn, so I'm unsure how it could have ended up so far out of adjustment. I achieved 4 clicks on a flat surface and 6 clicks on slopes - all in all, a success. Thank you again!
Thanks, used this guide on my Pontiac GTO over in the USA! Interesting seeing four window switches in the interior!
Hi Samuel!
Thank you for your feedback!
I mentioned that "four to five clicks" is what I prefer.Sure, you can set it differently. And my way of doing it is only a guide. I am not taking into account things like: stretched brake cable, Holden modified brakes pads shoes*, unequally warn rotors etc.
* Holden had modified the brake pad shoes by installing a bracket with spring to keep them centralized and contracted then handbrake is off. That is why on original version if you have a bit of touching - doesn't mean that both pads are touching. Best deal on Modified version is available from REPCO.
In regards of final adjustment I recommend following:
Move you seat all the way back and expose the hand brake handle by lifting the soft plastic cover (no need to take it off). Under the cover you will be able to see a long bolt with 10 mm nut. This nut regulates the cable tightness. If your pads touching the rotors too much unwind the nut, if too loose tighten the nut.You ,obviously, understand that it is only good if none of cable sections are stretched (if so that's another job). In my case: I knew that cables are good, the 10 mm nut not wound all the way down and have plenty of room to be adjusted.
To answer your question: Why 4-5 clicks? First is a safety:shorter travel - quicker response, especially during the rain and on highways, second and most important: it is convenient for my wife - so I never have her objections to spent time with my "Interceptor" )))
Best Regards
Not only you state the correct methods, but you also state the dangers. Top Job 😁
Thank you! I appreciate your comment!
Thank you Alex for walking us through the process. Will undertake on the weekend.
Very comprehensive video, thanks for taking the time to make it! I recently had to replace the handbrake cable on my VX and my understanding is that tightening purely from the cable can cause premature stretching, i.e. it will just snap again, so I didn't deliberately adjust it to 4-5 clicks like I prefer - rather I adjusted the lever nut to the same position as the old one, knowing that the adjustment needs to be made at the wheels. When applying the handbrake on any sort of slope, I can distinctly feel the car wanting to roll on only one rear wheel, unless I pull tighter - very obviously in need of adjustment and/or shoe replacement. Needing to pull tighter is likely what caused the lever cable to snap in the first place. Thanks again!
Legend, thanks from the states! Fianlly can leave her in neutral when I park and work on getting remote start! Thanks again!
Excellent video Alex, very helpful for me and my SS Ute (first car I've had with rear disc brakes). Turned out to be much the same as adjusting rear drum brakes. Who'd have guessed. Thank you.
Good video Alex. Thanks for the tips mate. It's a wonder they just didn't have a slot in the backing plate so you can adjust it the way you can on almost all drum brake systems. My VZ Calais is the first car I've owned with 4 wheel disc brakes, and I didn't even know that there was a different set of brake pads for the handbrake. you are never too old to learn something new. Thanks again.
Thanks Alex, I just bought a VY, and the handbrake was nearly pointing at the roof, I used your video, and it was quick and easy. It now comes up 5 clicks, and is perfect now.
fantastic mate thanks, especially the guide for left and right star nut wheel adjustment. ..i was stuck on which side was up tight and down loosen...champion. ..
Hey Guy thanks for the vid I did the two jobs at once , thanks for taking the time to video the job ,two thumbs up.
Great Mr Alex shown the procedure in detail. Thank hou very much and God bless you....Amen.
Great video, first time doing it for my berlina and you've helped lots. Unfortunately, 19mm on the back of the caliper had issues but using the adjustment hole worked out.
Parabéns amigo Alex Zhigunov pela explicação , tenho um Commodore vy que aqui no Brasil ; tem o nome de GM Omega CD .
Just ran across your video and found it very helpful. Not sure if I would have figured it out from the written instructions in the service manual. THANKS!
Good work Alex, your instructions worked a treat adjusting my VE handbrake at the shoes
Thanks for this video man i got a vz commodore that fail inspection in NZ because to much click..
This was a big help...
You are welcome!
Great Vid Alex very thorough as always.
Thinking should tighten cable first by hand brake, then fine tune left right balance using these adjusters. Just had a go and video was a big help thanks.
Grateful Alex but found I could do my adjustments without removing rear pads to do they adjustments on my 02 VX calais...
Thanks for the help as she has a W.O.F now.
7 years on, still helpful, cheers mate 🤙
Hi Jesse! I am glad that I could help! THANK YOU!
@@alexzhigunov2219 Alex is this same for a vt commodore 1997?
Great video and walk through, thank you very much. :)
Thanks Alex, Very helpfull.
Thanks man, looks great.
I have an holden viva 06, do you know if it is the same procedure?
Thanks buddy your vedio was helpful....
Hey Alex! Great video, is this same process for cars with an lsd and cars with locked diff? What's the best way to determine if the cable is stretched?
Go Alex go Alex go Alex go Alex
It's ya birthday it's ya birthday it's ya birthday
Cheers for the vid
Thanks for sharing Alex
cheers mate great video
You are most welcome!
can you do a video on the jacking and safety stand points you use.
Thank you very much your very easy to follow how to do my handbrake adjustment well done,,Steve Jackson from Inverell nsw
very helpful mate. thank u
Still helpful, cause my VZ is still going strong.
Good video..great accent..thanks
Thanks mate you are a legion
Good video buddy 👍
My VX has a VZ rear end it and the adjustment wheel does absolutely nothing.
I pulled both sides out where the handbrake shoe rests on and there is no thread in there at all on ether side to adjust the points out.
The handbrake cable just pulls the lever and pushes the two pivot points out to open up the handbrake shoe.
Hi, is there a video procedure how to replace the hand brake pads. tx
good vid....and to note that anymore than 5 clicks becomes a rwc issue...
I changed my hand brake pads and all was good but after i notice that the hand brake only works when the car is moving forward but if the car is rolling back the brakes dont work at all ,weird i cant figure it out.
If u know please help
Awsome video Thank-you
Glad you enjoyed it!
Good video mate :)
Great video Alex. I was looking for videos because I changed my rotors and pads and wanted to adjust the handbrake but the cog wouldn't turn, is there a trick to turning it I notice in the video you don't show when you actually turning it.
Alex is this procedure similar on the holden monaro?
AWESOME! CHEERS MATE!
Nice work brother
Thank You So Much 😊
hi alex my vy calais handbrake doesnt stay on when you pull it uo theres no clicks and there no button on the end of the actual hand brake any ideas hows to replace it cheers
Thank you Alex
THANK YOU , very helpfull
Before adjusting
Remove wheels and check to C if brake rotors need machining
Brake pads clipped in properly
Good video. Thankyou
you dont want any brake drag and i would use a wheel to check how good the adjustment is as theres more leverage
thanks its helpful
Righty tightly lefty loosey ...I scuff the pad with a bit of sand paper
At the end, you show the ideal adjustment with 4 clicks of the hand-brake.
However, you mention there is still friction from the brake shoes when the brake is released fully.
Surely this is a bad thing? When the car is driven, will it not rub and cause wear and extra rolling resistance?
My VY's hand-brake only works right near the top, but it still locks firm and holds the car. I am happier this way, as I know there is no resistance from the brake shoes being too tight.
Can you advise on how 4-clicks is good?
Holden engineers argh!
If you remove the bolt holding the shocker and then push the shock to one side its much easier to remove 19mm bolts.
Very good thanks
Legend been trying to replicate what.i found to work on the RHS but clearly ive been rotating.it.the wrong way.
thanks very much
Hi Mattia! Sorry, I am not familiar Holden Viva.
That's the same with vy berlinas too
Trying to work out the Jacking and Stand points to lift the rear. Shame this can't be seen in the video. (2004 VY2-Wagon) .-.-.
Just use any point on your car that is solid metal and something that can support being jacked up like the rear differential
I have a vy v6supercharged Calais.My dashboard has started to read brake lights failure but they're working.Can you help.
Hi Trevor! First I would check:
1. Wattage on brake lights bulbs-it has to be the same.
2. Brake lights relay
3. Limit switch of brake pedal (push/release button)
If all above OK you need
to check wiring and computer.In these scenarios I recomend to involve auto electrician.
Regards Alex
Thanks for that. Problems solved! :-)
can you adjust the hand brake if rotors off?
I dont think so. The whole point of adjusting it - is to create a proper contact between shoepads and rotors.
Hey bro, brakes don't have routers, they have rotors.
You dont wipe off brake cleaner with a cloth , brake cleaner is designed to dry quickly by itself , you saturate the whole assembly in brake clean which lifts dirt off , and it drys by itself
Can you tell me how to adjust if the cables are stretched
Hi! I would tension the 10mm nut near the handbrake lever. If the nut on its maximum tension, I would replace the cable, it is a bigger job which requires a hoist to work under a vehicle, which can be done in a workshop by qualified mechanic.
Do not forget, that stretched cable has no adequate integrity and might geopardize your safety.
Alex Zhigunov thank you
Mate, you missed out showing the hard bits, removing the caliper, its b hard to undo those 19mm bolts, feels like there about 90 ft lbs tight. BTW They look like once only types to me.
Getting the rusted on rotor is another one, I got it off with a bolt and nut behind rotor through the caliper mounting hole to tension it up than hitting on the hand brake hub.
Now the next problem, The rough adjustment ? the cog move two clicks, up or down seems to be ceased up somehow.
push the drum brakes towards car it will move to allow adjusttment
thnk
Lol, the router. So how do you say 'row' boat? :P
What do you think the rubber grommets in the rotors are for? You don't need to remove your calliper or rotors at all. You simply remove the wheels, remove one of the rubber grommets, line the hole up with adjustment spindle and make your adjustment with a screwdriver. This will save you $200 in dodgy backyard mechanic fees.
Hi Peter,
You are correct! And.I highlighted this. However, you will not be able to check the condition of your rear shoe pads and their positioning as well as cable tensioning and interconnecting spring. Grommets are good only if you confident that the rest works well. However, on any vehicle 10 y/old and more it is unlikely the case.
Thank you for your comment!
gr8 video is this good on a vt commodore.
+pitbullozcas Casino
I think its pretty much the same. Thanks for watching
thank you
If it's cable operated the brakes should be equal as the cable just equalises itself
hahaha
Blah Blah! I bet you’re rear shoes wear out quick!! Now that they are too tight!!!
You are most welcome!