VXR8 Handbrake Adjustment
Discussion
Here's a quick how-to if your handbrake is rubbish.
Mine has always been awful so I thought I would sort it today.
Start by slackening off the handbrake cable adjuster.
You can get to the adjuster through one of the holes provided on the disc. (Remove rubber bung)
If the adjuster is seized then you will need to remove the caliper.
Just undo the two large bolts on the back.
Swing the caliper, pads, and all up out of the way and remove the disc.
This will reveal the handbrake shoe and adjuster.
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/Kk7eFIyc.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/Kk7eFIyc" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/Kk7eFIyc.jpg)
I had to remove the shoe (spring clips on the back of the shoe) then remove the adjuster and put it in a vice.
Some WD Doody and some grips and it was freed up.
Replace the adjuster, clip the shoe back into place, replace the disc, caliper, and begin the adjustment.
Turn the adjuster until the disc stops moving, then back it off til the disc rotates freely. (Not that easy as you are rotating the whole drivetrain and the drag is a bit more tricky to judge)
When you have done both sides, operate the handbrake a few times then recheck your adjustments.
If you are happy you can take up the slack in the cable until you have 4 - 6 clicks.
Thought I would wash it as well!
Mine has always been awful so I thought I would sort it today.
Start by slackening off the handbrake cable adjuster.
You can get to the adjuster through one of the holes provided on the disc. (Remove rubber bung)
If the adjuster is seized then you will need to remove the caliper.
Just undo the two large bolts on the back.
Swing the caliper, pads, and all up out of the way and remove the disc.
This will reveal the handbrake shoe and adjuster.
I had to remove the shoe (spring clips on the back of the shoe) then remove the adjuster and put it in a vice.
Some WD Doody and some grips and it was freed up.
Replace the adjuster, clip the shoe back into place, replace the disc, caliper, and begin the adjustment.
Turn the adjuster until the disc stops moving, then back it off til the disc rotates freely. (Not that easy as you are rotating the whole drivetrain and the drag is a bit more tricky to judge)
When you have done both sides, operate the handbrake a few times then recheck your adjustments.
If you are happy you can take up the slack in the cable until you have 4 - 6 clicks.
Thought I would wash it as well!
liam1986 said:
you fancy sorting out a wheel bearing for a old bm m8 
Alright Buddy!Broken it again!
I am off to Spain this week on a company jolly (sold shed loads of wine last crimbo) and won't be in for the next two saturdays.
I have a mate who may do it for you if you are interested?
MEATANDCHEESE said:
liam1986 said:
you fancy sorting out a wheel bearing for a old bm m8
Alright Buddy!
Broken it again!
I am off to Spain this week on a company jolly (sold shed loads of wine last crimbo) and won't be in for the next two saturdays.
I have a mate who may do it for you if you are interested?
i've read the how to's and am fairly confident i'll mange it on the drive, so was just looking for cheap parts
i do need an mot in the nxt few weeks
the black wheels with evoke look great.Hi,
I have a VE Maloo which a 3 years or so ago had all the bushes replaced. After that the handbrake had a lot of play, needed to be pulled all the way up and all the slack taken out at the handbrake. Never worried about it until it failed the annual inspection, I am in Germany.
Followed this guide but same problem, all the cable slack doesn't make it good, something is wrong and I'm struggling to work it out. The actuator has a bit in it not shown in any picture. I'm a bit lost tbh. Picture of the actuators internal. To late to go back to the place that did the bushes.
Any ideas
Just found a kit and the little pushrod is normal, I didn't see it in the workshop manual.
I have a VE Maloo which a 3 years or so ago had all the bushes replaced. After that the handbrake had a lot of play, needed to be pulled all the way up and all the slack taken out at the handbrake. Never worried about it until it failed the annual inspection, I am in Germany.
Followed this guide but same problem, all the cable slack doesn't make it good, something is wrong and I'm struggling to work it out. The actuator has a bit in it not shown in any picture. I'm a bit lost tbh. Picture of the actuators internal. To late to go back to the place that did the bushes.
Any ideas
Just found a kit and the little pushrod is normal, I didn't see it in the workshop manual.
Edited by Whamcloud on Sunday 28th July 20:19
Whamcloud said:
Hi,
I have a VE Maloo which a 3 years or so ago had all the bushes replaced. After that the handbrake had a lot of play, needed to be pulled all the way up and all the slack taken out at the handbrake. Never worried about it until it failed the annual inspection, I am in Germany.
Followed this guide but same problem, all the cable slack doesn't make it good, something is wrong and I'm struggling to work it out. The actuator has a bit in it not shown in any picture. I'm a bit lost tbh. Picture of the actuators internal. To late to go back to the place that did the bushes.
Any ideas
Just found a kit and the little pushrod is normal, I didn't see it in the workshop manual.
I haven't messed with the handbrake on my VF yet, mainly as it is electronic. I have a VE Maloo which a 3 years or so ago had all the bushes replaced. After that the handbrake had a lot of play, needed to be pulled all the way up and all the slack taken out at the handbrake. Never worried about it until it failed the annual inspection, I am in Germany.
Followed this guide but same problem, all the cable slack doesn't make it good, something is wrong and I'm struggling to work it out. The actuator has a bit in it not shown in any picture. I'm a bit lost tbh. Picture of the actuators internal. To late to go back to the place that did the bushes.
Any ideas
Just found a kit and the little pushrod is normal, I didn't see it in the workshop manual.
Edited by Whamcloud on Sunday 28th July 20:19
It is related to your VE. You have done the 2 procedures above already? Couple of videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT1mgD80G1g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8MH9skTLz0
Are the handbrake shoes in ok condition? I am guessing they are if you are messing with the adjuster out of the car.
Below has a picture of the handbrake area on the back of the car.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/165220255906 OEM stuff
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/326204392979 Aftermarket stuff
I can find the shoes and the adjusters online for sale under the Pontiac G8 2008 over on rockauto. They should be the same. I don't think the handbrakes are any different to the HSV cars as opposed to all the others. Where it might be different is the Ute/Maloo under the car maybe?
i do have some of the manual for the sedan handbrake if you want that, drop me a message.
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