Brakes (Description): Description and operation

Description

General

The handbrake consists of a drum brake, installed on the rear of the transfer box, operated by a cable connected to a handbrake lever between the front seats.

Handbrake lever

The handbrake lever is mounted on a base plate which attaches to the transmission tunnel. A conventional ratchet and thumb operated release button are incorporated for locking and unlocking the lever. A warning switch on the base of the lever operates the brake warning lamp in the instrument pack. While the handbrake is applied the warning switch connects an earth to the instrument pack which, if the ignition is on, illuminates the brake warning lamp. In some markets, the instrument pack performs a bulb check of the brake warning lamp each time the ignition is switched on.

Cable

The handbrake cable consists of inner and outer cables installed between the handbrake lever and the drum brake. A protective sleeve is installed on the cable to protect the cable from heat from the exhaust system. Handbrake adjustment is provided by a threaded sleeve installed on the outer cable where it locates in the handbrake lever. Turning an adjuster wheel, which is keyed to the threaded sleeve and secured by a 'C' clip, alters the effective length of the outer sleeve and consequently changes the handbrake lever movement needed to apply the drum brake.