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the_lincs_landies



Member Since: 29 May 2023
Location: Boston, Lincs
Posts: 230

United Kingdom 
Handbrake - a daft question.
Morning All,

I am rather embarrassed to be asking but I am not mechanically minded, and the intention of my defender is to become more so.

My brake fluid in my puma is about half, so I will get that topped up, but I was wondering if that would have an impact on my handbrake at all? I am guessing not, but have to ask. The reason i ask is that when I apply my handbrake the car rolls forward maybe 1/8th turn of the wheel, but not consistently every time.

Thanks in advance.
Kieren
Post #999020 7th Jul 2023 8:37am
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17338

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
If your brake fluid is "about half", top it up without delay. On the Puma it generally needs to be virtually up to the bottom of the reservoir's filler neck to prevent the warning light flickering if you brake while going down hill.

There is no connection whatsoever between the handbrake (transmission brake) and the hydraulic wheelbrake, apart from the fact that they share a warning light on the instrument binnacle. The transmission brake is 100% mechanical and is operated by a cable from the handbrake lever.

It is entirely normal for there to be some movement of the vehicle if, say, you brake to a halt with the footbrake, apply the transmission brake, and then release the footbrake. The reason for this is that the transmission brake, which is mounted on the back of the transfer box, is connected to the rear wheels via the rear propshaft, rear diff, halfshafts, and drive flanges, and to the front wheels via the centre diff, front propshaft, front diff, halfshafts, CV joints, stub shafts, and drive flanges. All of these components have a little bit of slop or play, and cumulatively this amounts to quite a lot of movement.

If you are ever in a situation where it is imperative that the vehicle does not move as you transition to the handbrake, take up the slop in the transmission first. For example, if you are parking just uphill from your neighour's Bugatti and need to be very close to it but not touching, stop the vehicle with the footbrake, and then hold the vehicle on the clutch/transmission as you apply the handbrake. this takes up the slack, and the vehicle then wont roll back. It is actually easier to do than to describe.
Post #999032 7th Jul 2023 9:19am
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geobloke



Member Since: 06 Nov 2012
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 4410

United Kingdom 
You are quite correct low fluid will not affect your hand brake, which is actually a transmission brake that acts upon the rear propshaft, rather than the rear brake drums/discs on a conventional car.

Adjustment instructions here - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post367376.html
Post #999034 7th Jul 2023 9:21am
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Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3409

Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
If the brake fluid is half full and there are no leaks, then most likely your brake pads are quite worn. If you fill it up, then just remember that you will need to suction up some of the brake fluid before pushing the brake caliper pistons in when replacing for new brake pads. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #999042 7th Jul 2023 10:34am
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andy63



Member Since: 30 Jun 2023
Location: north east
Posts: 511

United Kingdom 
point worth making I think.. its best practice when returning pistons on a hydraulic system , to clamp the flexible hose and open the bleed..expell the fluid that way rather than push it back into the system...especially if there are abs modules in the system...prevents the risk of bits reaching it and causing problems..
that would be my method anyway Thumbs Up
Post #999091 7th Jul 2023 4:12pm
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the_lincs_landies



Member Since: 29 May 2023
Location: Boston, Lincs
Posts: 230

United Kingdom 
Thanks all, that’s a job to look at next week then for the brake fluid. I’m hoping ts not that the pads are worn as it was MOT’d in April and no mention on brake, and has only a few hundred miles since.

With the handbrake, the lever seems to go to about the right place so I guess the “slop” in the movement is normal.
Post #999133 7th Jul 2023 9:55pm
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17338

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
The slop is in the transmission, not the handbrake mechanism.
Post #999134 7th Jul 2023 10:12pm
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the_lincs_landies



Member Since: 29 May 2023
Location: Boston, Lincs
Posts: 230

United Kingdom 
Cheers blackwolf. Assuming either way it’s a “non-job” though?
Post #999137 7th Jul 2023 10:46pm
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17338

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Indeed. It is something you get used to and live with, not usually a problem. I suppose the skill and experience comes when you need judge when the driveline slop becomes excessive, but generally then you'll be aware of it in normal driving.
Post #999161 8th Jul 2023 7:51am
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