Hello I am new to this forum, I wonder if anyone could tell me how to adjust the handbrake on a Freelander 2 or is it self adjusting?

Hi and welcome
The FL2 has handbrake shoes inside the rear disc. Take the rear wheels off and you will see a hole between the wheel studs. When it's in the correct position (look through with a torch) you can insert a flat bladed screwdriver in there to turn the adjuster wheel. Unfortunately it's usually seized so you may have to remove the caliper, bracket and disc to get to them to free them off. Have a search on this site as plenty have done/documented it.

Very simple process.

1. put car in gear
2. release handbrake
3. unclip the coin tray on the back on the middle console
4. you'll see the handbrake cable
5. unscrew/tighten the nut a couple of turns to preferred adjustment

check handbrake to preferred lift.

This is how I adjusted my handbrake.

That method may give you the feeling that the handbrake is adjusted correctly but will give you a false impression. Id recommend adjusting the shoes first though and you will keep the correct leverage.

Last edited by Steve D on 10th Nov 2014 4:02 pm. Edited 1 time in total

At the back of centre console, there is an oddments tray. Put your fingers either side of it and pull out. It requires a sharp tug.

You will then see a large silver nut facing you to which the handbrake cable fixes to. Simply turn clockwise to tighten the handbrake it and test it. Should ratchet up to full on between two and three clicks.

You may also want to look at this topic:
http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic20057.html
Which mentions the procedure if your handbrake isn't holding too well due to glazing of the pads.

BossBob wrote:

There is a parking/handbrake bedding in procedure in topix. Basically at 24mph apply the handbrake until you can feel a braking force then one extra click. Keep the brake on for 400m then release. You'll probably have to readjust the handbrake cable but the glaze on the brakes will be gone.

Even though I had previously stripped down the rear brakes and checked the handbrake for operation and adjustment, the handbrake on my Freelander was so poor that I thought it would fail the MOT but it sailed through.

My last car (a Subaru Impreza) used the same sort of 'drum in disc' mechanism and the handbrake on that was almost as good as the footbrake!

Pete 2007 TD4 HSE Auto