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Blast. MOT man not like my handbrake.

I took the rear drum brakes on the old Cavalier apart, 'cos the N/S handbrake wasn't working - the footbrake was OK. The actuating arm was fouling the hub, and had ground a nice little trench. I freed up the "auto adjuster", slackened off the balancer in the middle, which had been done up to its full extent one way, adjusted the "self adjuster" until I could just get the drum back on, and put it back together. It was wildly better.

However, the MOT man does not like it. The handbrake is unbalanced (footbrake still OK), and the N/S brake drum "binds" at one position when the wheel is turned. I have noticed that the brake (always has) juddered on application, foot and handbrake, that is.

What might *this* be? It's a bit frustrating, 'cos it's the only thing that needs fixing, right now. Could the drum be out of round? Should I replace both sets of shoes and drums?

Apologies if these Q's are a PITA. I'd like to get this MOT!

Reply to
Chris Bacon
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Chris Bacon ( snipped-for-privacy@thai.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Take two guesses.

If you're getting a drum from a scrappy, I'd probably take a chance on just one used one - but the odds are that it'll be the same egg shape as your current one. You'll be far better off doing it properly and getting a pair of new ones. Wild guess - about £50/pair or less.

Always do the shoes in pairs.

Reply to
Adrian

One for each drum. My bruv used to get oval drums on his Cav too.

As much as that? I was going to suggest

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but the site appears to be down - they haven't gone bust have they? Want a caliper for the Focus.....

Reply to
Chris Street

Chris Street ( snipped-for-privacy@chris-street.demon.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Like I said. Wild guess. Or less.

I think I can just about remember what a Cavalier *looks* like...

Reply to
Adrian

The message from Chris Street contains these words:

Working now.

Reply to
Guy King

More like £25 for a pair of Cav drums, you can get them turned for a bit less but it's probably not worth it.

Reply to
Duncan Wood

Poor thing.

Isn't it kinda like a Saab 9-3?

Richard

Reply to
RichardK

FWIW I:

Changed the drums and shoes - no difference to brake balance, but a nasty brake judder which had been present went away.

Changed the offside handbrake cable which was frayed where it went through the eyes on the rear suspension arm (the MOT man hadn't seen this). This fixed the problem.

I also replaced the front disks which were badly worn (a fault line was visible in the metal at one point), and the pads.

Cost for drums, shoes, disks, pads, handbrake cable long section was £89.04 from ye local motorbits shoppe.

Reply to
Chris Bacon

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