By Bill Hogan on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 03:38 am: Edit

Hi

I have a 1995 v8 3.9litre disco.
To tighten the handbrake cable, its adjustment
is underneath the power window switch panel
next to the handbrake. Do I have to remove
the whole center console to access it or can I
just remove the small power window switch panel.
How can I remove this small panel, I cannot see
any screws to remove it.

thanks
Bill Hogan

By Jon on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 08:27 am: Edit

Yes, removal of the power window swithcplate is all that's necessary. Take a small flathead screwdriver and pry the cover plate off. It is held in by 4 pegs that fit in rubber bushings, so no screws to undo. That will give you access to the switch board, which has 4 Phillips-head screws to remove. Once that's off, unplug each of the switch wiring harnesses (remembering which goes to which) including the one for the rear window lockout button, and then you'll have clear (but not easy) access to the handbrake cable. There's an adjusting nut thing where the cable goes through the bottom of the console. Turn it clockwise to tighten the cable.

Out of curiosity, are you intending to adjust the parking brake itself? Or do you need to replace the cable. If you need to adjust the parking brake tension, then tighten the adjuster screw on the parking brake itself, which is at the bottom of the brake housing facing forward. Turn it clockwise untill you can't rotate the drum any, then back it off until you can turn it with your hands some. Try the hand brake and it should be fully applied at 3 clicks. It took me a few tries to get it just so, but it wasn't hard. I didn't even need to adjust the cable any, although you may have some slack in it you need to adjust out. Hope that helps.

By bill Hogan on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 08:40 am: Edit

Thanks for the reply John:

I am not sure, its just the handbrake doesnt
work very well now, after about 5 to 7 click it
still doesnt lock it tight.

So should I be tightening the handbrake level
for reducing the slack or do I have to do what
you desscribe on the handbrake underneath
the truck???

thanks
Bill

By Jon on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 10:13 am: Edit

Yeah, what you describe is a worn-down brake itself, which you have to adjust underneath the truck. I think (but I'm not sure) it takes a 17mm socket (seems to be a common size of bolts on that truck). After I adjusted the brake shoe adjuster, I didn't even need to mess with the brake cable, and now it tightly holds the truck after 3-4 clicks.