My handbrake was very poor would not hold on hill unless I pulled a vain in my neck pulling handbrake up higher about 9 clicks. Had enough so had a look myself and not a hard job to do.
Only stated below faults found not a step by step removal instruction Haynes manual did the rest for me 👍👍
Brake shoes were ok so cleaned all dust etc from hub and clean hard build up from the approx 6 rear shoe locators on rear plate as the shoes move on this when operated but build up was restricting it.
Checked handbrake adjusters not seized, cleaned and lubricated
Handbrake cable mechanism not seized but removed cleaned and lubricated
Anti seize on plate shoe locators and refitted shoes
Disc still got life in them but the drum edge had a build up of rust and dust was differcult to pull off shoes, angle grinder used to level it off
Also ground the slight lip on shoes edge worn slightly

Fitted disc- set manual handbrake adjuster......manual says tighten up then 8 clicks back?.........
I am old school used to set up wind tight and release unltil wheel rotates freely so I halfed the number of clicks back to 4
Wheel rotates freely
Repeated other side
Know tensioned handbrake took nearly all the slack out and secured locking spring clip in place
Tested hand brake and wow 4 clicks on and tried to drive off in first and handbrake held.
Did not cost nothing to do but I will plan for disc and shoe change for next year
Only pain in putting the shoe spring clips back in ahhhhhhhh!!! Steve the newby

Just had mot done on lr2 and test station said very good handbrake for freelander, he said usually c**p.
So happy
😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄 Steve the newby

mine has been hopeless since I bought the car

Initially it looked like a cable had failed as the adjuster behind the centre console was seriously over adjusted on one side - but even after both cables were replaced it still seems a bit iffy

Apparently the mechanism within the brake itself can seize up, so that's next on the hit list. Until then it's parked in gear (just incase!)

There are 2 moving parts that can seize on each wheel, the actual mechanical adjuster that you wind in to set and the one the handbrake cable sits into clogs up with dust etc. but can be easily cleaned off or in worst case replace £10 on eBay for original part.
I bought a Haynes manual on eBay for £10 which can help in setting up, the only thing I done differant was to set adjuster 4 clicks back
Remember the handbrake cable cannot be set unless the shoes have been adjusted manually and you have no seized parts as this should have been checked when cables changed as it may not have been the cables, can't do one without the others sorry. Steve the newby

If I may add to the notes above, those of us with autos have another problem to contend with. Rust on the handbrake drum surface. People with manuals will use their handbrake always when doing stop starts especially hill starts; this abrades and helps keep the drum surface clean(ish). Those of us with autos tend not to use the handbrake as the torque converter keeps the car from rolling back thus we don't abrade the drum face. When parked up capillary action pulls moisture between the shoe and drum so rust begins........
.
When doing the full disc off service it's easy to use a drum flap sander in the drill and polish the rust off the drum working face back to shiny steel.
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Always remember to derust the disc internal locator hole lip and hub then smooth copper slip grease over the flange etc before replacing the disc. This will guarantee an easy strip down next year.
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Kind regards from Fred.
. 2010GS Auto ex Celeb, Santorini Black, 2011 facelift , spoiler, spats, mudflaps, LED footwell lamps, Witter detach,
Other cars:-
1958 & 1959 Austin J40 Pedal Cars under restoration (I make many J40 parts)
If you have an Austin J40 or Pathfinder Pedal Car looking for a new home pls PM me.
2009 Meriva

Last edited by fredastaire on 17th Apr 2015 11:07 am. Edited 1 time in total

I always use the hand brake on hills I was told letting the torque converter hold it would damage it ?

Spot on Fred Steve the newby