Handbrake continuous adjustment

[a1damuk]

For some reason when i adjust my handbrake and get it niced and tight and effective, it will only last a few weeks before it gets slack and needs around 5 clicks to hold.

Why will this be please?

[Superaero]

Because you don't adjust the handbrake at the handle but at the rear brakes, and that should be self adjusting once the initial adjustment is correct.

The likely problem is one or both rear calipers have seized internal handbrake adjustment.

You can try taking the rear wheels off, one at a time if you wish, and adjusting the pad clearance to 2mm or so by manually turning the adjuster screw with an allen key from fully tight to fully backed off and then back to 2 mm and see if the internal mechanism frees up. If not then the offending calipers will need a rebuild or, better yet, replacement of the seized one.

[a1damuk]

I had been adjusting at the rear callipers until it bit, then backing off slightly, then adjusting the handbrake itself. All is ok for a few weeks as i say.

[Superaero]

Try applying the footbrake several times very hard while parked and idling (you need the power assist but not any movement of the car). Also, try applying and releasing the handbrake several times while stationary. It sounds like the internal adjuster is not working on at least one rear caliper. If you cannot free it up then a rebuild or replacement is the only solution.