Desperate to get handbrake fixed

[Hymerbell]

Any one know of a good place in Southeast...preferably Hampshire, Dorset or Surrey where I can get my Handbrake fixed...Hymer 674 on Al-Ko chassis. Had it adjusted by garage to get through MOT but is still useless...can’t park on anything too steep. Lancing is Sussex could do it as Lenny HB recommended them but they are booked up until end of July ! I believe it needs someone who knows Al-ko’s to fix it correctly....got instructions about how to do it but haven’t got a 6 ton jack...

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

You don't need a 6tonne jack if you just do each wheel in turn

 

[SIFTA SAM]

Any one know of a good place in Southeast...preferably Hampshire, Dorset or Surrey where I can get my Handbrake fixed...Hymer 674 on Al-Ko chassis. Had it adjusted by garage to get through MOT but is still useless...can’t park on anything too steep. Lancing is Sussex could do it as Lenny HB recommended them but they are booked up until end of July ! I believe it needs someone who knows Al-ko’s to fix it correctly....got instructions about how to do it but haven’t got a 6 ton jack...

Any chance you could let me have a copy of the instructions please?
I too am having rear brake 'problems' on Alko chassis.

 

[SandraL]

Alko chassis still uses the fiat rear hubs and brakes. Before 2007 they are drums, since 2007 they are discs.

Both sorts can be adjusted with a screwdriver through a hole in the hub as well as cable adjustment.

Search on this forum for " handbrake adjustment"

There is a thread with an explanation of the earlier drum system adjustment.

 

[Hymerbell]

Any chance you could let me have a copy of the instructions please?
I too am having rear brake 'problems' on Alko chassis.

Ere you go..

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[Hymerbell]

Alko chassis still uses the fiat rear hubs and brakes. Before 2007 they are drums, since 2007 they are discs.

Both sorts can be adjusted with a screwdriver through a hole in the hub as well as cable adjustment.

Search on this forum for " handbrake adjustment"

There is a thread with an explanation of the earlier drum system adjustment.

Yes but you have to jack it up and I haven’t got a big enough jack...

 

[Masman]

Not sure but are essanjey down your end.Spelling may be off a bit.

 

[kevntrace]

Yes but you have to jack it up and I haven’t got a big enough jack...

Do you not have a jack with the van tool kit?
Adjusted mine last week as the parking brake would 'creak&groan' when parked on a hill,
Take a wheel stud out & jack up,then lock the wheel with the adjuster the back the adjuster off very slightly so that the wheel moves.job done.
my handbrake is now spot on.

 

[Hymerbell]

Do you not have a jack with the van tool kit?
Adjusted mine last week as the parking brake would 'creak&groan' when parked on a hill,
Take a wheel stud out & jack up,then lock the wheel with the adjuster the back the adjuster off very slightly so that the wheel moves.job done.
my handbrake is now spot on.

Hmm...that sounds too easy....from what I keep reading it’s more complicated than that...but yes I would have thought that would do..

 

[SIFTA SAM]

Alko chassis still uses the fiat rear hubs and brakes. Before 2007 they are drums, since 2007 they are discs.

Both sorts can be adjusted with a screwdriver through a hole in the hub as well as cable adjustment.

Search on this forum for " handbrake adjustment"

There is a thread with an explanation of the earlier drum system adjustment.

Not sure which year they changed from drums as my alko chassis hymer complete with rear discs is 2004?

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[Hymerbell]

Not sure but are essanjey down your end.Spelling may be off a bit.

Yes they are..they adjusted it to get through the MOT which they did but that’s it...it’s still useless..

 

[Hymerbell]

You don't need a 6tonne jack if you just do each wheel in turn

Hmmm..saw someone say DON’T jack it up on the XXXX, can’t remember where not to jack it up

 

[Wagoneer]

I know of a place in Redhill where they service motorhomes. Since I don't know where you ACTUALLY live, it might not be suitable or convenient.

Don't jack it up on the round tubular cross member where the nipples are located.

 

[SandraL]

Not sure which year they changed from drums as my alko chassis hymer complete with rear discs is 2004?

My apologies. I had thought the discs came in with the 2007 x250 van. We had a 2004 alko fiat with drums, although a uk made motorhome.

 

[Hymerbell]

I know of a place in Redhill where they service motorhomes. Since I don't know where you ACTUALLY live, it might not be suitable or convenient.

Don't jack it up on the round tubular cross member where the nipples are located.

Hmm...Winchester to Redhill....possible...where should I jack it up...never jacked up a Motorhome before...my last Hymer never had a puncture in 20 years.....not sure where the jacking points are...jacked up plenty of Classic cars...TR6’s, Jag MkIi’s, MG’s in my youth but they were obvious. Got a big red trolly jack...but can’t remember the max jacking load...and some small blue axle stands....I suppose I could do it...I’m very practical really although don’t come across as such on this forum as always asking questions...just took out fridge burner and jets with help from Funsters and got that working....got so many things to do I thought it would be nice to get someone else to do handbrake...Ho Hum...under the van I go...

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[Al-Di]

see Northernraider thread he has put piccy's of doing rear brakes on his hymer and where to jack,

 

[PeteH]

I am thinking that the X250 Alko Chassis had a Hybrid brake, Disc Main, Drum Handbrake? Is that the same setup?.

 

[ambulancekidd]

It'd help if you can tell us what the base vehicle is?

If its a pre 2006 Sprinter with the twin rear wheels your out of luck, they just don't work, they did get it fixed on the Merc 906 Sprinters.
If you have the Ducato based vehicle the parking brakes should be solid as a rock.

 

[68c]

Ere you go..

Thank you for posting the Alko park brake adjustment procedure. I have filed it away until i need to do it. Never cone across that idea of using a wheel stud hole as access for adjustment before, I would have struggled I am sure.

 

[Northernraider]

Any one know of a good place in Southeast...preferably Hampshire, Dorset or Surrey where I can get my Handbrake fixed...Hymer 674 on Al-Ko chassis. Had it adjusted by garage to get through MOT but is still useless...can’t park on anything too steep. Lancing is Sussex could do it as Lenny HB recommended them but they are booked up until end of July ! I believe it needs someone who knows Al-ko’s to fix it correctly....got instructions about how to do it but haven’t got a 6 ton jack...

Adjusting is a piece of cake , jacking it up is a piece of cake

Don't need a 6 tonne jack you jack up one corner at a time

I just done my handbrake last week the adjuster is accessed through one of the wheel nut holes ....adjuster sits at 12 o'clock....turn it clockwise to adjust shoes out anti clockwise to wind in.

Then under the van the 2 handbrake cables meet the main cable at a half moon connection ....2 x 13mm nuts ...undo the lock nut and wind the other out
Theres a few pics I posted on my thread last week

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[Hymerbell]

Thanks Tam...I’m not that fond of being under vans...probably a bit of a phobia...always think it’s gonna come down on top of me...what a whimp eh ? Did you use the ordinary wheel jack ? I’ve checked and I’ve got a 3 tonne trolley jack....BUT where I store the MH is all rocks and gravel...not a stable base ...do you undo the lock nut and wind out the cable before or after the adjuster...think I’ve got a similar age Hymer to you....2004 so probably similar brakes....

 

[Northernraider]

I use a 2 tonne trolley jack and a 4 tonne bottle jack ....and handy if you have axle stands too ..

Big bit of wood under the jack and under the axle stand. .

You dont need to touch the handbrake cable unless you cant get enough adjustment at the actual drum.

YouTube videos great for giving you a step by step guide to adjusting it.

 

[Hymerbell]

I use a 2 tonne trolley jack and a 4 tonne bottle jack ....and handy if you have axle stands too ..

Big bit of wood under the jack and under the axle stand. .

You dont need to touch the handbrake cable unless you cant get enough adjustment at the actual drum.

YouTube videos great for giving you a step by step guide to adjusting it.

Think I’ll get a bottle jack....is a 4 tonne Draper max range 372 good enough?

 

[Northernraider]

Think I’ll get a bottle jack....is a 4 tonne Draper max range 372 good enough?

It should be fine ...I mean your van is likely only 4 tonne and if you're jacking up one corner at a time you're probably only lifting 1500kg max ....

My bottle jack is a good few years old and does the job great.

I wouldnt trust a standard fiat jack

This is actually the brand I have its katsu or something and it's been brilliant

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=293557436299

 

[Hymerbell]

It should be fine ...I mean your van is likely only 4 tonne and if you're jacking up one corner at a time you're probably only lifting 1500kg max ....

My bottle jack is a good few years old and does the job great.

I wouldnt trust a standard fiat jack

This is actually the brand I have its katsu or something and it's been brilliant

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=293557436299

Ordered.... Cheers

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[Hymerbell]

It should be fine ...I mean your van is likely only 4 tonne and if you're jacking up one corner at a time you're probably only lifting 1500kg max ....

My bottle jack is a good few years old and does the job great.

I wouldnt trust a standard fiat jack

This is actually the brand I have its katsu or something and it's been brilliant

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=293557436299

Last question...promise....is it possible to use JUST a bottle jack and an axle stand as then I could take the bottle jack with me on my travels and do it there...don’t want to carry around a big trolly jack...or does one need to start it off with a trolly jack...

 

[Northernraider]

Last question...promise....is it possible to use JUST a bottle jack and an axle stand as then I could take the bottle jack with me on my travels and do it there...don’t want to carry around a big trolly jack...or does one need to start it off with a trolly jack...

Sure ...I mostly use the bottle jack I only really use the trolley jack if I'm jacking up both sides at once. And as a back up

I carry a fair bit of tools with me as I can do most mechanical stuff on the van myself at the roadside if I have to and I have the spare payload.

 

[Hymerbell]

Sure ...I mostly use the bottle jack I only really use the trolley jack if I'm jacking up both sides at once. And as a back up

I carry a fair bit of tools with me as I can do most mechanical stuff on the van myself at the roadside if I have to and I have the spare payload.

Hmm...I think you’re hardier than me or tighter...probably both...don’t fancy side of road repairs but stay on a cheap campsite with nice flat soft grassy ground and whip the wheel off would be OK...Sit in deck chair for a bit to recover with a beer and nice hot shower to wash off all the sweat and grease...watching that video I’m almost tempted to replace the drums and disks if that were needed...

 

[Northernraider]

Hmm...I think you’re hardier than me or tighter...probably both...don’t fancy side of road repairs but stay on a cheap campsite with nice flat soft grassy ground and whip the wheel off would be OK...Sit in deck chair for a bit to recover with a beer and nice hot shower to wash off all the sweat and grease...watching that video I’m almost tempted to replace the drums and disks if that were needed...

Well when I say side of the road I don't literally mean on the road unless an emergency ....but yeah I changed front brake discs and pads in a carpark in France last april and the rear pads in a carpark In portugal lol.

gus-lopez and I also did the alternator in his driveway.....
If i can do stuff myself I always prefer to not only saves money but you get to know the vehicle better.

Replaced lots of bits on mine this year

The rear discs and pads are pretty easy to do ...hardest part is getting the bolts out of the caliper housing as mine were pretty hard going but persevered and got there in the end ...reassembled everything with copper grease so that will help in the future

If you do them yourself you'll probably save a good couple of hundred quid