Hand brake/bonnet issues

[Hymerbell]

Why didn’t I buy a brand new Hymer....Oh yes...couldn’t afford it. Taking 2004 Hymer 674 to garage on Monday to get an MOT in order to satisfy DVLA for import from Germany. Headlights sorted, speedo sorted, HMRC sorted...however now find hand brake is very weak....wouldn’t hold on the ramp down the Eurotunnel...garage said Hymers either hand fantastic hand brakes or rubbish ones...turns out I’ve got the latter ...talking about pads, discs etc...surely it’s just a matter of adjusting the hand brake cable....or weren’t they cables in 2004 ?

Went to open the bonnet to check what Al-Ko chassis it was by pulling the bonnet release handle...just went click...any ideas ?

Alex

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

It sounds has if you are dissatisfied with your truck? About time to trade it in do you think? There are some quality motorhomes about...possibly you may have bought the wrong one?

Kev

 

[Figaro]

Is it an A class body and is it a tag ?
Should help the technical guys here something to go at

 

[Hymerbell]

It sounds has if you are dissatisfied with your truck? About time to trade it in do you think? There are some quality motorhomes about...possibly you may have bought the wrong one?

Kev

Well you could be right...but then it’s 16 years old...bound to have some snags...if it turns out to be a right pup I can always just shoot myself ?...besides it’s got the perfect layout....for me !

 

[Hymerbell]

Is it an A class body and is it a tag ?
Should help the technical guys here something to go at

A class but not a tag

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[Carolyn and Kev]

Well you could be right...but then it’s 16 years old...bound to have some snags...if it turns out to be a right pup I can always just shoot myself ?...besides it’s got the perfect layout....for me !

AN Igloo is idea if you are an eskimo.....It does not mean its the right one though does it?

 

[Jev88]

Is it Ducato based? The "Automatic" adjusters on the hand brake ....... well, they stop working after about 12 months. My service garage do quite a few vans as well as the occasional MH like mine. They say it is routine for them to have to manually push some wheel mechanism around a few notches every year? Don'r know age of your vehicle but could be a simpler fix than you think.

 

[Hymerbell]

AN Igloo is idea if you are an eskimo.....It does not mean its the right one though does it?

Have you been drinking ?

 

[Hymerbell]

Is it Ducato based? The "Automatic" adjusters on the hand brake ....... well, they stop working after about 12 months. My service garage do quite a few vans as well as the occasional MH like mine. They say it is routine for them to have to manually push some wheel mechanism around a few notches every year? Don'r know age of your vehicle but could be a simpler fix than you think.

Hmm...I shall mention the “wheel mechanism” to my garage.Ta

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

Have you been drinking ?

Why do you ask? Im stating the obvious. You have asked a few questions that make your purchase sound as if its the wrong one? Purely a personal thought that is all....As regards drinking....Oh bless if only you really knew? Sorry but il health stopped that a long time ago...Cancer , bladder etc

Kev

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[Hymerbell]

Why do you ask? Im stating the obvious. You have asked a few questions that make your purchase sound as if its the wrong one? Purely a personal thought that is all....As regards drinking....Oh bless if only you really knew? Sorry but il health stopped that a long time ago...Cancer , bladder etc

Kev

Is there ever the right one ? ...sorry about the Cancer, bladder, hormone imbalance

 

[Figaro]

Sound like the handbrake cable needs adjustment and maybe shoes.
The bonnet release may be just sticking.
Sounds like a bit of general tlc needed

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

No worries . It works both ways ...Hormonal for you , me...."its the pills esmeralda" Or should that be Bells?

We can laugh though cant we?

 

[Hymerbell]

No worries . It works both ways ...Hormonal for you , me...."its the pills esmeralda" Or should that be Bells?

We can laugh though cant we?

Come on ! You have been drinking haven’t you !

 

[Hymerbell]

Sound like the handbrake cable needs adjustment and maybe shoes.
The bonnet release may be just sticking.
Sounds like a bit of general tlc needed

Yep I reckon that’s right...TLC goes a long way.....

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[DavidG58]

Our bonnet opening is a two person job, one pulling and pushing the lever inside while the other tugs on the bonnet outside ?

 

[Wagoneer]

The rear braking system is a combination of disc & drum in a "top hat" configuration. The handbrake operates the drum. The shoes in the drum are adjusted manually through a hole in the drum with a screwdriver to adjust the star shaped adjuster. Instructions are available on the internet. I do have a pdf file somewhere with the instructions, should you require.

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

Come on ! You have been drinking haven’t you !

• Atezolizumab.
• Avelumab.
• Balversa (Erdafitinib).......Read up......You may actually learn something! Oh.....Nearly forgot ...Doxorubicin Hydrochloride.

Drinking ? Laugh this off then!

 

[TheBig1]

you really need to follow the procedure in the pdf attached to adjust a fiat ducato handbrake. Otherwise you get a poor handbrake or brakes rubbing as many people have found out

 

[Lenny HB]

Just a couple of minor problems so not a bad result.
The bonnet catch either needs adjusting or probably either the catch or cable rusty.
With the handbrake on the Al-Ko there is a procedure that must be followed, don't let anyone do it who doesn't know the correct procedure.

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[Hymerbell]

Our bonnet opening is a two person job, one pulling and pushing the lever inside while the other tugs on the bonnet outside ?

Ah yes the garage mentioned that...will give it a try.

 

[Hymerbell]

you really need to follow the procedure in the pdf attached to adjust a fiat ducato handbrake. Otherwise you get a poor handbrake or brakes rubbing as many people have found out

Hey great TheBig1...more night time reading !

 

[Hymerbell]

Just a couple of minor problems so not a bad result.
The bonnet catch either needs adjusting or probably either the catch or cable rusty.
With the handbrake on the Al-Ko there is a procedure that must be followed, don't let anyone do it who doesn't know the correct procedure.

Yes I’m happy with result....could have got better I’ve no doubt but it would have taken months of trawling Germany, Belgium and Holland with all the resultant costs, time and on the spot fines, especially as I wanted a particular layout and LHD. Just got to get it through the MOT to satisfy DVLA then I can tackle any other niggles as I go along. I’m taking it to Essanjay in Poole...been using them for years on and off....hopefully they know the procedures as you mention but they worried me when talking about major works to correct....perhaps they don’t know the correct procedures ?...will print off the PDF that TheBig1 sent and I’ll have some ammunition to go with.....

 

[Wagoneer]

With the handbrake on the Al-Ko there is a procedure that must be followed, don't let anyone do it who doesn't know the correct procedure.

Agree, I had my handbrake adjusted by a Fiat approved garage. 15 miles down the road (on the M25 heading for the ferry) I was overcome by a strong smell of burning. Stopped and found the rear wheels red hot to the touch. Had to crawl under the van and back-off the central nut. Obviously, they hasn't adjusted the shoes, just tightened up the central nut. They got a severe blasting on my return.

 

[Hymerbell]

Just a couple of minor problems so not a bad result.
The bonnet catch either needs adjusting or probably either the catch or cable rusty.
With the handbrake on the Al-Ko there is a procedure that must be followed, don't let anyone do it who doesn't know the correct procedure.

So any recommendations of a handbrake garage expert somewhere in Hampshire, Sussex, Dorset, Surrey ?

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[Lenny HB]

So any recommendations of a handbrake garage expert somewhere in Hampshire, Sussex, Dorset, Surrey ?

Lancing Commercial.

Lancing Commercial Truck, Van and Motorhome specialists

Lancing Commercial – Truck van and motorhome repairs, servicing and MOTs, based in Lancing, West Sussex. Highly-skilled, long-established commercial garage, VOSA registered, members of Approved Workshop Scheme for motorhome MOTs, repairs and habitation services.

www.lancingcommercial.co.uk

 

[Hymerbell]

Lancing Commercial.

Lancing Commercial Truck, Van and Motorhome specialists

Lancing Commercial – Truck van and motorhome repairs, servicing and MOTs, based in Lancing, West Sussex. Highly-skilled, long-established commercial garage, VOSA registered, members of Approved Workshop Scheme for motorhome MOTs, repairs and habitation services.

www.lancingcommercial.co.uk

Cheers Lenny HB..I’ll give them a call tomorrow

 

[peterc10]

And if you go down there you can use the VOSA weighbridge on the A27 to check your axle weights to see if you have enough leeway on your rear axle to buy the scooter. It is unmanned and free. Just drive slowly over the sensors and each axle weight comes up on the display on the outside wall of the hut.

 

[Wagoneer]

So any recommendations of a handbrake garage expert somewhere in Hampshire, Sussex, Dorset, Surrey ?

So what's wrong with Essenjay in Poole whom you've previously used. Their main business is Fiat MH's/commercials. They did my timing belt and seemed competent. You can sleep over in their yard and get first booking the next day. Not too far from Winchester, assuming that is where you're currently based ???

 

[Wagoneer]

Reliance in Chichester have a very good reputation. Mainly staffed by ex-Hymer technicians.

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