Handbrake major service kit - worth a try?

[Silver']

I was sick of my (AU2 IRS) handbrake needing adjustment every few months so I thought I'd try the 'Major' kit offered by PBR - part number 'PBK132'.

Found it on eBay for $10 from a seller called 'marineauto'.

It's a very comprehensive kit which will hopefully stop the adjusters winding themselves off, as well as replacing the torn rubber boots around the lever that comes in though the handbrake plate.



Now the bulk of what you need to know has already been covered in Wooshas thread: How to Adjust or Replace Hand Brake (IRS) so I'll just add couple of points that shed some light on the fitment of the new parts.

Most of them bolt in and are very hard to get wrong. Use graphite grease within the mechanism of the handbrake and also a smidgeon on the 'backing plate' where the pads sit.

The springy tangy thing that holds the adjuster wheel from winding back in is the only part worth any explanation - it needs to be drilled out and the new ones fitted with the supplied pop rivets so you'll need a hand riveter, a cheap one will do.

Stripped...


Cleaned. Push a rag through the little cylindrical housing that's there. use a small screwdriver perhaps and push'n'pull the rag to clean it up. Push it through to the back as well to be sure that it's all nice and tidy. Go on, you'll feel better for it.


The rivet, I've started to drill it out then stopped for a pic. If it starts spinning, just continue to drill but on an angle and then don't push too hard (as you want it to keep spinning so it drills evenly) - it will work just fine.


Rivet and clip removed. You could no doubt have imagined this but I took the damn pic and even put an arrow in there before I realised it was a bit daft so just humour me ok? ;)


The new springy tangy thing fitted. Do your best to get it in straight as the axle hub gets in the way somewhat. If you have a bulkier pop rivet gun than I do then you may struggle.


Wooshas thread covers the rest so I'll leave it at that. The new shoes are MUCH grippier than the 12 year old ones that came of it so the handbrake is reassuringly affective.

I'll update this thread when it next needs the handbrake adjusted to give an idea of whether or not this has resolved my issue of the handbrake not retaining it's adjustment.

Al.

[Lajon]

Can you please post the ebay listing of this as i can't seem to find it!

[Silver']

Sure, it will be out of date soon enough, but it doesn't hurt to have it here now eh?

Hmm, it's gone up $9.10 since I bought mine.





PBR Park Brake Major Repair Kit Ford Falcon AU Handbrake ...



I originally found it with the search "au major handbrake kit" if that helps anyone on here months down the track.

I just spotted the BA kit which has a lot more bits in it - including what look like large springs to centralise the brake shoe. So I'm figuring that maybe the carpark scrape scrape scrape noises are something that is always going to be a niggle...

[madmelon]

Do you really mean you got it for $10 or is that a typo? I bought mine at discounted staff prices through a major parts retailer and it was just under $90.

My handbrake has jammed on a couple of times so I figured it was time to refresh it all- especially since the dust boots are destroyed. Haven't got around to installing it yet though.

Thanks for the info!

[Silver']

Definitely a typo! It was $120, now $130.

[Polyal]

Mate credit for you doing this stuff yourself, oh I wish I had some more time. My car is due for a service next month so this will get done.

Im sick of pulling my handle up so high it feels like Im going to touch the roof, and Im sure its sticking now and then too.

Thanks for the info.

[GK]

Originally Posted by SilverT2TE50

Definitely a typo! It was $120, now $130.

Is that per side or for both rears?

OK, just checked the pictures above, for both sides! LOL!

Cheers,

GK

[Silver']

Kit does both sides

[Polyal]

Well I just bought the kit, car is due for a service so ill just ask them to do it. Thanks for the heads up.

[Silver']

I'd adjusted the handbrake too tight at the wheels when I fitted the kit and was getting some lovely harmonic groaning, particularly when reversing. It's hard to look cool when your car sounds like that hehe
So on the weekend I finally got around to adjusting it as per the instructions (duh!) which is all the way off then tighten it a quarter of a turn. This has completely sorted it so happy days.
The adjustment seemed to hold up well over the last two months but I'd like to see it last almost a year before I'd call the kit a cure. Fingers crossed...

[bloggs24]

I bought this kit finally after putting up with a handbrake that always needed adjusting, always had a rattle, always had a squeal, and couldn't hold the car even on the slightest incline. This kit solved all those problems, and i put it in about 8 months ago with no issues yet.

[rmack]

The Au wouldn't hold and had started to make a grinding sound. So installed this kit in August and all came good. Having a working handbrake is a plus...

[Silver']

This PBR 'PBK132' kit is now available from Bosch. Same part number. I thought that I should update this in case anyone's trying to find the kit.

p.s. five years later and still no problems with adjusting, or having the handbrake scrape, so the kit is good.

[Maka]

Good work Silver!! Yeah i put a PBR major h/b kit through mine a little while ago & not a skerrick of noise or grief since lol, definitely worth doing.

cheers, Maka

[Uncle_Ken]

Great update, Thank You
UK

[xeeclipse]

That stopping plate behind the adjuster is rubbish. I tow things sometimes and I'm getting real tired of the adjuster unwinding and having to rest the car on the park sprag.

[BLU-220]

Hey Al I can't find the kit on ebay where else can you get it from ??


Few seconds more looking again on ebay there sold out

Cheers Dean

[Silver']

Originally Posted by BLU-220

Hey Al I can't find the kit on ebay where else can you get it from ??


Few seconds more looking again on ebay there sold out

Cheers Dean

I'd try Repco, Bursons's etc. DartAUxr8 just used a set as a part of his epic IRS rebuild, so they must still be available?

https://fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?p=6228388

Originally Posted by xeeclipse

That stopping plate behind the adjuster is rubbish. I tow things sometimes and I'm getting real tired of the adjuster unwinding and having to rest the car on the park sprag.

Might be worth putting a kit through it - or did you already do that and the replacement one is no good?

[Edxr6]

Guy’s,

If someone knows where I can purchase a kit from for $120 or $130 please let me know. I have been quoted $200 in some of the Repco stores in Sydney and Bosch isn’t producing the kit anymore.

Cheers

[Peuty]

You're doing better than me mate, I couldn't find anyone who could supply them at all.

[Edxr6]

Originally Posted by Peuty

You're doing better than me mate, I couldn't find anyone who could supply them at all.

One Bursons store in QLD quoted me $360 + postage. Another item to be obsolete for the AU’s in the very near future.

Cheers Peuty

[Edxr6]

Guy’s,

Paid $150 at Repco, they had it retailed for $200, the salesman was a gem. Now for the install.

Cheers

[Daviem73]

Brilliant thread so helpful. Quick question is can anyone point me to the major handbrake kit today as the l8nks are out of date. If they are still available. Cheers

[Edxr6]

Daviem73,

Ring Repco and see if they have any left in their system. Bosch has cease making the Kit. There was a couple left in QLD when I was making enquiries, they wanted big dollars.

Good luck

[Daviem73]

Originally Posted by Edxr6

Daviem73,

Ring Repco and see if they have any left in their system. Bosch has cease making the Kit. There was a couple left in QLD when I was making enquiries, they wanted big dollars.

Good luck

All good . Wanted to do proper job but as the only major fault is a completely seized adjuster on one side just ordered that on eBay.. much appreciate the reply.