handbrake adjustment inspection panel

[Freoway]

Hi, I've read in this forum that there are handbrake inspection panels over each rear brake setup above the IRS. Is that on all Series 1's, including 1.5's? Mine does not have inspection panels. Not sure why?! I've had the IRS out not so long ago. I'm loathed to remove it all again. I note that they are meant to be self-adjusting. Even though I replaced h/brake pads, cleaned out the mechanism and checked their operation before reinstalling, they do not seem to self-adjust after applying the handbrake several times. Any tricks on this?

Thanks in advance.

[mgcjag]

Hi..what's your name...please put it and your car model in the signature area....thanks.....I'm assuming that you cleaned the ratchet adjuster on each handbrake caliper....when you operate the handbrake caliper the ratchet will move one click....so it may take quite a bit to take up any slack in the pads movement...you should be able to pull each caliper arm separately and listed to hear the click..keep operating till the click stops...not all cars have access plates...Steve

[Freoway]

Thanks for the info Steve. It looks like my car is one of the ones without access plates.

Cheers,

Lloyd

[mgcjag]

Hi Lloyd..

OK you have a 2+2 so should have access plates behind the rear seat squab..not the part that slides it the section between the back and the base...basically remove rear seats you will see 2 screw on plates

[mgcjag]

Here you go...photo in this link viewtopic.php?t=14215

[Freoway]

Hi Steve, yes - I do have those two rear access plates behind the rear squab. I've used them to bleed the rear brakes. However, I can't see how anyone could (a) remove the locking pin and (b) get a screw driver onto the adjusting bolt...

... I've just had a further search on this and I note that the shaft on the adjusting bolt can be turned with pliers or similar. Still, how does one get the locking pin out - surely not through the access panels?

Thanks again, Lloyd

[mgcjag]

Hi Lloyd the panels are only really to change the main pads or bleed.....but it does allow you to operate the handbrake caliper lever to click the ratchet a click at a time...Steve ps the long adjuster bolt should have a split pin fitted so it dosnt turn so your only option is ratchet it

[Freoway]

Thanks Steve. I'll give that a go. Hopefully the ratchet mechanism does its job. It doesn't appear to operate with the handbrake lever - hopefully I can do one at a time.

Cheers, Lloyd