SAFETY NOTICE! As the handbrake will need to be in the off/released position to adjust it, you should take precautions to make sure the vehicle and work environment is safe.
- Use a chock on the wheels to prevent the car from rolling forward or backward while the handbrake is off
- Engage first gear and release the clutch pedal with the engine off
- Never work on the vehicle while on a hill or slope
The tools used are:
- 3/8 Ratchet with extension bar and long reach 10mm socket.
- A 1/4 drive equivalent will also do.
- A small flat head screw driver might be needed to assist with removing some of the trim, but I didn't need to here.
The car in this tutorial is the Toyota Auris 1.3 litre Petrol 2014 (picture A).
- Clear away any items you may have stored in the cup holders next to the handbrake.
- The trim around the gear lever can be removed by gently gripping the rear of it and pulling upwards away from the lever, separating from the leather boot around the lever (Image 2 and 3)
- The console around the handbrake, which includes the cup holders, can be removed also by gently gripping and pulling upwards. The console is held in place by 5 pressure clips, 3 at the front and 2 at the rear. It can be lifted, turned and moved without removing it altogether from the handbrake leather boot so that you'll have enough space to work on the handbrake adjustment. (Image 4 and 5)
- With these items now moved or removed you should see where the handbrake cable is attached to the lever (Image 6).
- To make an adjustment there are 2 10mm nuts, the top one in silver colour is the retaining nut, the lower one in black colour is the adjusting nut (Image 7).
- Loosen the top retaining nut with the 10mm socket. This will allow the adjusting nut to move freely.
- Tighten the adjusting nut with a 10mm spanner. When adjusting this nut, do so in stages. After 5 or maybe 6 tightening turns of the spanner, tighten the retaining nut again just finger tight and pull the handbrake on slowly to check the adjustment. You should aim to be comfortable in pulling on the handbrake by about 3 or 4 clicks, any more than this may cause the handbrake cable to become stretched and stressed, and this will also cause the brakes at the rear to rub slightly. Beware! Excessive tightness in the adjustment may cause brake component failure!
- Once you are happy with your adjustment make sure to tighten the retaining nut with the socket or spanner again.
- Rebuild/replace the removed trim again (See images 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 for details)
- Test drive the vehicle, making sure that the brakes are not rubbing when the handbrake is off, or that the car is not being slowed by premature braking / dragging of the rear brakes. If so you will need to return to the adjustment of the handbrake.
