New Rear Calipers unable to adjust handbrake.

[Amadiro]

I'm trying to reapir my mothers Honda Jazz. It needed new pads but unfortunately the pistons in the calipers where seized. Rather than trying to get them released we swaped out for new calipers.
However no matter how I try I can't get the handbrake to adjust. I've read up about pumping the foot pedal to get the pads to sit, both with the engine runing and without.

https://clubjazz.org/forum/index.php?topic=1186.msg146139#msg146139

But there appears to be too much slack to take up on the handbrake. The handbrake literally points up and the wheels still turn. I've even put spacers on the bracket, but it still will not take up the slack.

Any and all advice appreciated

[bill888]

How far were you able to pull the handbrake BEFORE you fitted the new calipers?

What make of calipers have you installed?

Inspect the cams to see if they move off the end stops when you pull the lever up.  If the cams do not move then have you considered the old handbrake cable is severely stretched and require replacement?

See cam position photos posted here:
https://clubjazz.org/forum/index.php?topic=17924.msg154018#msg154018

I've always had to reuse the Honda OEM handbrake cable L bracket as it is longer  (Bremtech, Axia and Febi were all shorter).  I can't see how that would affect handbrake adjustment ?  See attached photo.

Thinking about it, let's say the L bracket was 1 inch shorter than OEM bracket, would that mean the handbrake adjuster nut would need to be wound 1 inch to take up the slack in the cable?  Perhaps this is your issue?   I could be wrong as I'm getting a headache just thinking about it...


Once the handbrake is behaving, fwiw, this is the method I found that worked for me to adjusting the handbrake correctly.  I can check the cams without jacking up rear of car if you are worried about crawling under the car.

Pump the brake pedal several times.

Adjusted the handbrake cable tension with handbrake in Off position, such that the cam/levers are on verge of moving off their end stops.  My Rear Left looks like it starts to move off the end stop first on close observation when handbrake is operated (eg. 1 or 2 clicks).   9-10 clicks to maximum handbrake travel using Arnold Schwarzenegger effort....    4-7 clicks in normal use after fitting Febis for the remaining 3 months I owned the Jazz.

[bill888]

There is also a severe lip on the discs.  Someone can correct me, but they could ruin your new pads?

You need new discs given you have gone to the trouble of fitting new pads and calipers imho.