Return of the handbrake - - - yawn !!
Having just scraped through the MOT again I thought the handbrake has got to be better than this. I know that a handbrake operating pads on discs are not ideal but even so !
Firstly - Instead of wanging grease in again I took the cable off completely, removed the inner, cleaned some rust off near the lever end, lubricated and re-installed. A tad better but not much.
Second - Off to my local "good guy" who has the tool for winding the pistons back aka MarcoMantara's earlier post. Got some clicks back and brilliant footbrake but false elation because once off the ramp I could still push the car with the handbrake on.
Third - new calipers. Part No. 0659/4 and 0658/4 - - from the invoice Unipart: UGCGBC500E (I thought this would be helpful but Unipart have recently gone into administration).
Lastly "Good Guy" changed the brake fluid for me to save pumping that master cylinder.
Result: A handbrake works, has about three clicks and holds - even better if you apply the footbrake first and then pull the handbrake on. I've tested this on a 1:6 hill nearby and it holds for a hill start.
