Why are Ford handbrakes soooo bad???

Fev · 03-09-2008, 02:09 PM

I know everyones always complained about them ones or twice, i mean just read the park in gear or neutral thread, no one has any faith in them.

And the only thing that people only ever come up with a way to tighten them. but it never lasts...
(i dont mean every ford but the later model handbrakes are shocking!)
So..

WHY ARE OUR HANDBRAKES ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE!!

is there a credible reason or are Ford engineers without hills where they design them?

**Peuty** · 03-09-2008, 02:11 PM

Because a paraplegic horse designed them.

GreenMachine · 03-09-2008, 02:16 PM

Dealership apprentices doing handbrakies before delivery...

Fev · 03-09-2008, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenMachine

Dealership apprentices doing handbrakies before delivery...

No fair! its what i wanted to do as soon as i got it up the cul-de-sac :P but instead it just bogged down on the left hand side lol..

but yeah is there any actual reason?

BlackLS · 03-09-2008, 02:21 PM

The focus handbrake is excellent. It actually uses the calipers on the rear discs instead of drums.

FPV GT40 · 03-09-2008, 02:30 PM

Been driving Fords for 25 years, never had any issues with hand brakes, the one in my EL XR8 has never even been adjusted in the last 5 years and works perfectly.

BF GT hand brake excellent so far over the last 1.5 years.

The only hand brake I ever had trouble with was my XB GT, till I learned how to adjust them correctly and I bought the little adjusting tool for it, no drama since.

Have had many other Fords inbetween no issues with hand brakes ever...so not sure what people are talking about.

Then again I adjust my own when required, may be the problem is letting Ford Mechanice near them, in the other thread there is one prooving ground mechanic that has never even learned to park a car correctly, so what hope would they have of adjusting a handbrake???

03-09-2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackLS

The focus handbrake is excellent. It actually uses the calipers on the rear discs instead of drums.

Yep, our 1996 Corolla has one of these. It's a spring which holds the caliper shut, it's never given any problems.

Adjusting shoes is a pain.

BIGJB · 03-09-2008, 02:34 PM

They simply aren't adjusted correctly.
I still have to do mine since brake change as the guys who put
the T3 brakes on had no idea like most don't.
My last 1 was fantastic but in saying that I did it myself so
it was done correctly.
All you need to do is jack rear of car up.
Adjust 1 side 1\2 turn.
Go to other side adjust 1\2 turn.
Check by putting Hand Brake on.
Repeat until it is nice and firm and not dragging
when you turn wheel.

FPV GT40 · 03-09-2008, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99GHIA

They simply aren't adjusted correctly.
I still have to do mine since brake change as the guys who put
the T3 brakes on had no idea like most don't.
My last 1 was fantastic but in saying that I did it myself so
it was done correctly.
All you need to do is jack rear of car up.
Adjust 1 side 1\2 turn.
Go to other side adjust 1\2 turn.
Check by putting Hand Brake on.
Repeat until it is nice and firm and not dragging
when you turn wheel.

Another one for do it yourself if you want it to work...

The XB, XC onwards rear disks had the handbrake on the caliper, and they were the worst, they changed to drums as they are a better handbrake, and nor affected by pad wear etc.

The caliper ones in the jap cars might be a better design I guess.

Nappa · 03-09-2008, 04:14 PM

apparently the FG has a self adjusting handbrake, maybe thats ford trying to fix a long running problem

Falc'man · 03-09-2008, 04:48 PM

The real problem is people do overload them by not engaging a gear when parking on an incline, and they just leave it neutral.

J_Tank · 03-09-2008, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falc'man

The real problem is people do overload them by not engaging a gear when parking on an incline, and they just leave it neutral.

Had 2 Ba's and no handbrake problems whatsoever. I guess I'm not doing whatever you guys are doing with them....

Hunter · 03-09-2008, 08:55 PM

Everyone who's owned a Falcon has had problems with their handbrake... mine slowly got to the point where it did nothing. My cousin's EB's handbrake ended up seizing on, several times (even after adjustment).

I think Ford's handbrake is only marginally better than a brick on a rope or an anchor.

joolz · 03-09-2008, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackLS

The focus handbrake is excellent. It actually uses the calipers on the rear discs instead of drums.

Ah so same as the X series falcons!

J_Tank · 03-09-2008, 09:00 PM

Mind you previous car, AU series 1 ute was useles..

Antwon · 03-09-2008, 09:02 PM

the handbrake in my NF fairlane was adjusted about 4 months ago and still works just as good, although before that it didnt work well, and the one in my mums AU doesnt work well

Creampuff · 03-09-2008, 09:03 PM

mine is non-existent now! only fault

**Jastel** · 03-09-2008, 09:09 PM

They are not a great design, they can be made to work but need constant adjustment at every oil change to keep them good. Most people want a handbrake that works and they don't need to constantly adjust

Windsor220 · 03-09-2008, 09:09 PM

Most of the bigger cars (Falcon, Commodore, Magna) have issues with it.

I think there isnt a problem if its adjusted properly. During services, mechanics adjust it by tightening the cable at the lever because its quicker and easier. Overtime as the shoe wears away the rear adjustment goes out.

Rodp · 03-09-2008, 09:46 PM

Handbrakehysteria.

Was the other thread closed?

xy500 · 03-09-2008, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falc'man

The real problem is people do overload them by not engaging a gear when parking on an incline, and they just leave it neutral.

thats pretty funny, but seriously, my xy park brake still works great, adjust it myself once a year or so and she'll keep her nice and stationary

WindsorXR · 03-09-2008, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nappa

apparently the FG has a self adjusting handbrake, maybe thats ford trying to fix a long running problem

Thats true. And it's not the easiest thing to adjust and rig up when your installing a brand new setup into a car. You have to put a screwdriver down the side of the handle and try and flick a tab back, while trying to pull the handbrake up as far as it can go.

RG · 03-09-2008, 10:12 PM

Mines worked well ever since it was adjusted properly, still makes the swoosh noise though but that is because of Ford's cost cutting. Have a look at the EF handbrake set up which is the original version of the AU/BA/BF. It has two clips holding the brake shoes in place, same as the EL did and both were pretty good. With the AU Ford changed from two clips, one at either end of the shoe, to a single clip right in the centre of it. Of course this meant that the shoe now could move significantly more but hey, it saves 2 cents per car.

RAREV8 · 03-09-2008, 10:49 PM

Sorry but what a load of bollocks.

I have owned/ driven a lot of Aussie Fords from '73-present (not as many as some others) over hundreds of thousands of kms and have never had a problem with a handbrake....other than a 33 yr old wreck, had been off the road for 5 years and the brake was the least of its problems!

RG · 03-09-2008, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAREV8

Sorry but what a load of bollocks.

I have owned/ driven a lot of Aussie Fords from '73-present (not as many as some others) over hundreds of thousands of kms and have never had a problem with a handbrake....other than a 33 yr old wreck, had been off the road for 5 years and the brake was the least of its problems!

It is true, trawl through these forums and you will see many people complaining about them. I'm glad that you are yet to experience a dodgy one, but how many AU-BF Falcons have you had for you to make such a broad statement. There is a problem, even Ford know that as they have modified the FG's. Also there is no point in comparing anything pre AU as the design was differrent, I could never fault my EL, my old man's EB or my Step dad's XD.

mik · 04-09-2008, 01:09 AM

there is a problem ......blokes don`t know how to adjust them.

**ebxr8240** · 04-09-2008, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mik

there is a problem ......blokes don`t know how to adjust them.

Agree X's 2..

ILLaViTaR · 04-09-2008, 03:45 AM

My ED hasn't had the hand brake since it left the factory.

Works perfect.

BIGJB · 04-09-2008, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mik

there is a problem ......blokes don`t know how to adjust them.

That the 1

FPV GT40 · 04-09-2008, 09:08 AM

Exactly what I said earlier...

Learn how to adjust them correctly I currently own three Falcons, none have a hand brake issue, and I only adjust them every 12-24 months as neccessary, My XR8 has not had an adjustment since I last did it about 5 years ago, and its my daily driver. No issues whatsoever.

The problem is as outlined lack of knowledge/care by owners/mechanics adjusting them.

Learn how to do it correctly, do it yourself and your issues will be gone for good.