Why is my handbrake so crap?

[deanfoldi]

thats funny mine was not the best but then the other day after playing in the mud it decided to no longer work at all which suck because i have the steepest drive way in the world bahahahah

[bigredtj]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Jeeper

Thats not the preferred way of adjusting hand brake on a TJ. It should be done through the adjustment holes on the back of the drums by rotating the star wheel. When you under the Jeep, you'll see a small oblong rubber plug towards the bottom of the backing plate (just under the axle tube). Remove the plug and you will have access to that star adjuster. Use a flat head screwdriver and adjust it till the brake is working fine. Obviously my experience with TJ rear drum brakes. If you have rear disc brakes, story might be different (but similar in concept).

Agree 100% that is the correct way to do it.

They work fine when adjusted on an almost daily basis, but you get bored of doing it quickly and just learn to live with it, just stall it in low 1st when you have to park it on a hill.

[supemad_one]

Mine has packed it in as well... I have a 800m up hill drive way and a gate at the entrance. I have to kill the engine and leave the car in gear to be able to get out and open it and then again when i go through to shut it.

Biggest pain in the ass...

[Dark Knight]

I have a KJ and have exactly the same problem. The thing is, it has been 'fixed' twice already. I agree with Shake_N_Bake, this really does appear to be a common Jeep issue.

[jrj]

Hi guys , you don't have to pick on any particular model but the words jeep & hanbrake should not be put in the same sentence unless you feel like adjusting it all the time (drum models ). The problem is in the size of the rear brakes on some, the mechanicle advantage in the lever or the route of the cables on others. Xj's aren't as bad because they have a longer lever thus giving reasonable leverage on the cable.

[bonza]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Jeeper

Thats not the preferred way of adjusting hand brake on a TJ. It should be done through the adjustment holes on the back of the drums by rotating the star wheel. When you under the Jeep, you'll see a small oblong rubber plug towards the bottom of the backing plate (just under the axle tube). Remove the plug and you will have access to that star adjuster. Use a flat head screwdriver and adjust it till the brake is working fine. Obviously my experience with TJ rear drum brakes. If you have rear disc brakes, story might be different (but similar in concept).

spot on. adjust it like this (the correct way) and it will hold rock solid even on the steepest of driveways

[stroked]

beacuse you drive a wrangler, they are all shit.. you adjust them and they work for a month or so and then its back to the old tricks..