Ford Focus 07 - Handbrake adjustment

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Sun 9 Nov 2014 09:40
Ford Focus 07 - Handbrake adjustment - argybargy

Hi All

Just asking about the procedure for adjusting the handbrake travel on my 2007 Ford Focus.

We've recently moved to a house on a steep hill, and although yes, I routinely leave the car in gear to stop it merrily trundling off into the distance, the handbrake will only hold the car on its highest possible travel.

Haynes' index points you to the relevant paragraphs, but when you get there it doesn't actually tell you anything except how to find the adjusting nut. Is it simply a case of carefully tightening that nut, or is there more to it?

Cheers.

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Sun 9 Nov 2014 10:31
Ford Focus 07 - Handbrake adjustment - gordonbennet

This applies to all cars.

Check the business end of a brake before adjusting a cable up, such as depth and condition of friction material and its contact surface, condition and correct lube of caliper/slave cyls, free correctly lubed movement of any and all pivots slides adjusters and the whole cable itself, also condition and effectiveness of auto adjusters.

When you know the business end is all working correctly then is the time to adjust the cable.

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Sun 9 Nov 2014 10:50
Ford Focus 07 - Handbrake adjustment - Railroad.
The cable adjustment on a Focus is an M6 nut on the handbrake lever itself. Use a 10mm deep socket to adjust it. Just like the above post says, slacken the handbrake adjustment right off first, and then make sure that the rear brakes are adjusted properly. Then finish off by adjusting the handbrake. The whole setup will not be correct if you fail to do it this way.
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Mon 10 Nov 2014 09:57
Ford Focus 07 - Handbrake adjustment - argybargy

Thank you both. Much appreciated.

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