Handbrake adjustment on a Ducato?

[Guigsy]

I picked up a 2020 Geist a-class from Lincoln yesterday. I gave the van a fairly thorough check over before I drove it back to Birmingham. It was only when I had to stop at lights in heavy traffic going up a hill did I realise that the handbrake barely does anything. Even on a mild incline with the lever yanked up about a dozen clicks so it was squashing my thumb against the seat base, it was rolling backwards. My previous Ducato PVC had a violently good handbrake after a few clicks.

I'm going to contact CamperUK and see what they say. But driving to Lincoln and back is going to cost me a day and £50 in fuel. If I don't find any other issues to make it worth my while returning... what other options do I have?

I'm assuming the cable has stretched and it just needs adjustment? Could there be any other causes? The brakes generally seem OK, although not exactly sharp. Could it be a bigger issue?

If it's just adjustment, how easy is it to adjust the handbrake? I've replaced the front brakes on my previous van. That took me all day and was pushing the limit of my YouTubing ability. I've not touched the rears though as it looked more complicated.

Roughly how much would it cost to get a local garage to do it?

Cheers.

 

[SandraL]

Fiat Ducato Hand Brake

Hello, My hand brake was not holding till it was almost on the last notch, I booked it into a garage to have it adjusted, when I collected it I heard a squealing noise but it stopped after about 100 yards ..when I got home the back wheel was warm to the touch but the opposite side was cold ,,is...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Post no 4 has a pdf. Handbrake is a drum arrangement within the rear disc, if like our 2013 van.

 

[donkey]

I picked up a 2020 Geist a-class from Lincoln yesterday. I gave the van a fairly thorough check over before I drove it back to Birmingham. It was only when I had to stop at lights in heavy traffic going up a hill did I realise that the handbrake barely does anything. Even on a mild incline with the lever yanked up about a dozen clicks so it was squashing my thumb against the seat base, it was rolling backwards. My previous Ducato PVC had a violently good handbrake after a few clicks.

I'm going to contact CamperUK and see what they say. But driving to Lincoln and back is going to cost me a day and £50 in fuel. If I don't find any other issues to make it worth my while returning... what other options do I have?

I'm assuming the cable has stretched and it just needs adjustment? Could there be any other causes? The brakes generally seem OK, although not exactly sharp. Could it be a bigger issue?

If it's just adjustment, how easy is it to adjust the handbrake? I've replaced the front brakes on my previous van. That took me all day and was pushing the limit of my YouTubing ability. I've not touched the reaIrs though as it looked more complicated.

Roughly how much would it cost to get a local garage to do it?

Cheers

Hi
I would not consider adjusting the system without first removing drum/discs for thorough inspection. When rebuilding the adjustment sequence must be followed exactly. Starting by releasing any tension on the cables, then adjusting the brake shoe clearance. Then the centre cables and primary cable.
You would need good equipment to support the rear axle and may also need to raise the front, for good access underneath.
Quite few decent tools required to remove rear calliper brackets etc.
Geoff
PS. I am relying on it being the same or similar to my X250, otherwise please ignore my post

 

[Guigsy]

Hi
I would not consider adjusting the system without first removing drum/discs for thorough inspection. When rebuilding the adjustment sequence must be followed exactly. Starting by releasing any tension on the cables, then adjusting the brake shoe clearance. Then the centre cables and primary cable.
You would need good equipment to support the rear axle and may also need to raise the front, for good access underneath.
Quite few decent tools required to remove rear calliper brackets etc.
Geoff
PS. I am relying on it being the same or similar to my X250, otherwise please ignore my post

I've got axle stands, a torque wrench and a breaker bar. So I can jack it up and get the wheels off the floor. But if it requires disassembly or anything complex, then I'm out. I wasn't that confident when I did the front discs and pads on the previous van, but that went OK. But that's the most critical piece of DIY maintenance I've done.

 

[dunnah01]

I think you can adjust it at the balance fulcrum about half way along the underside where the single cable from the lever is joined to the cable that goes to the rear drum mechanism. Very easy if you can get under your van.

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[Guigsy]

I think you can adjust it at the balance fulcrum about half way along the underside where the single cable from the lever is joined to the cable that goes to the rear drum mechanism. Very easy if you can get under your van.

So if I assume that it's the cable is really slack, that would work.

I guess the issue is that it might be that all the pull is going on one side, or only one side is working?

 

[Stealaway]

I only need to adjust the handbrake cable a couple of click, but I still not found the adjuster that appears to be near the rear axle.

 

[pappajohn]

I think you can adjust it at the balance fulcrum about half way along the underside where the single cable from the lever is joined to the cable that goes to the rear drum mechanism. Very easy if you can get under your van.

No you can't, not efficiently anyway.
There's a sequence to adjusting starting by slackening the cable then adjusting the brakes themselves until they just bind then backing off slightly until free to turn without resistance.
When that's done adjust the cables taking up any slack and getting a few clicks on the handbrake lever.

 

[dunnah01]

No you can't, not efficiently anyway.
There's a sequence to adjusting starting by slackening the cable then adjusting the brakes themselves until they just bind then backing off slightly until free to turn without resistance.
When that's done adjust the cables taking up any slack and getting a few clicks on the handbrake lever.

But that would be to big a job for the OP so as an interim until a trip to CamperUK is worthwhile it will be a vast improvement

 

[Skez]

It actually causes me physical pain when I hear a handbrake pulled up on the ratchet!

Is that just me??

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[The Coops]

Before you start *investigating* surely the van is under warranty ? Just look for the nearest fiat van repairers nearest to you, if you start messing the warranty will be invalid Guest truck in Birmingham would be my first and free call1

 

[Wikky]

It actually causes me physical pain when I hear a handbrake pulled up on the ratchet!

Is that just me??

I feel it's laziness. It annoys me also

 

[donkey]

It actually causes me physical pain when I hear a handbrake pulled up on the ratchet!

Is that just me??

One of my pet hates too

 

[gus-lopez]

It actually causes me physical pain when I hear a handbrake pulled up on the ratchet!

Is that just me??

Yes it used to be a failure on driving test. now ,apparently unless you pull it up so that it clicks & so the tester can hear it ,it is a fail.

Before you start *investigating* surely the van is under warranty ? Just look for the nearest fiat van repairers nearest to you, if you start messing the warranty will be invalid Guest truck in Birmingham would be my first and free call1

As above ring the dealer tell them the andbrake does not work ,nor did it work when they spplied it to yo. you want it sorted correctly with photographic evidence from back to front along with compensation for time & diesel , if retrrning , or the easier option is that they pay for the Fiat dealer in Brum to sort it.

 

[chatteris]

you only need to jack up one side at a time and remove one wheel bolt to access the adjuster and click it up abit

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[Guigsy]

It actually causes me physical pain when I hear a handbrake pulled up on the ratchet!

Is that just me??

I agree. But it is the recommended method in every vehicle manual. It reduces the chance that the ratchet mechanism fails to engage, or the chance that you manage to get it between pawls and it pings off apparently.

 

[mitzimad]

you only need to jack up one side at a time and remove one wheel bolt to access the adjuster and click it up abit

thats for the foot brakes the hand brake shoes are in the center of the drum very prone to getting water in and seizing i would get it back to uk campers my selfunless they agree to pay a local main dealer

 

[chatteris]

I am assuming its on a ducato base so thats for the handbrake shoes rear footbrake are discs so pads and no adjustment

 

[royandsharont]

I think in the circumstances I would try and speak to Jeremy Hemmings in warranty dept or one of the owners, Alan Pickering, & explain how disappointing they have supplied the vehicle not fit or safe to use & have them come to you, agree for a local Fiat Professional agent, like them, to fix it or refund you the costs to return to them. I’ve personally found them excellent & would be surprised if they didn’t meet your needs. I certainly would not be doing it myself

 

[Guigsy]

I emailed the dealer. They replied in about 30 mins with the address of my nearest Fiat Professional garage and said they'd pay the bill. Should have been picked up before sale, but I'll take it. Thanks for the advice all.

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[martin2603]

If you remove 1 wheel stud you will get access to the brake from adjustment . It is a clogged wheel that you adjust up or down with a screwdriver . Jack up one side at a time , adjust it until it starts to bind then let it off a couple of teeth to allow for heat expansion . Failing that check the cables.