Hand brake - The Ford Focus Forum

**Griff** · 07-03-2001, 07:55 AM

How far up is your handbrake travelling. When I put mine on it seems to go up 7/8 clicks. It also sounds as it is clunking as i reach tention as if it at it's limit. Just curious to know what other peoples is like as this doesn't sound like normal.
Griff

**blurr** · 07-03-2001, 10:43 AM

That sounds about like mine. I'd prefer 3 or 4 clicks. I am going to look at the Ford CD and see what it takes to tighten it up, someday. But I think yours is 'normal'.

2¢

**whitesedan** · 07-04-2001, 10:30 PM

Check rear brake adjustment mine was very loose at 1,000 miles

**Kelric** · 07-05-2001, 08:41 AM

the e-brake adjustment screw thingy is under the center console...

Take out the center console (if you are the adventurous type and don't have probelms taking your car apart) and you will see the adjustment screw where the cable engages the e-brake assembly.

If you don't want to mess with it, take it in to your dealer and have them tighten it. Problem is, most dealerships do not have "installers" working for them. When it comes to taking out panels/consoles/anything from inside the car and not under the hood, a stereo shop with "installers" is a much better place to take it.....

**focusfather** · 03-30-2008, 11:50 AM

Hi -- My 2004 ZX3 has a loose praking brake meaning I pull it 7-8 clicks and it barely will hold on level pavement -- on any grade, it is completely ineffective. Are you telling me that if I remove the console (all the covering around the parking brake lever, that I will expose an adjustment screw? Mechanics I have asked have said the place to adjust this in in the rear brake assembly. I would love to find that the adjustment to tighten the paking brake is in the console.

**Qwik1** · 03-30-2008, 03:00 PM

Ok-- here is what to do. First try using the auto adjuster. Yank the ebrake about 20-30 times in a row.

If this has no effect, you can use the adjuster screw. This is located under the ebrake boot. Just unclip and lift the boot up to expose the screw. You do not want to make it too tight--- IIRC the spec is something like 30 lbs of force to reach 5-6 clicks.

If you still can't get it to work right, it may be time for that trip to the dealer.

**Silonius** · 04-02-2008, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by focusfather

Hi -- My 2004 ZX3 has a loose praking brake meaning I pull it 7-8 clicks and it barely will hold on level pavement -- on any grade, it is completely ineffective. Are you telling me that if I remove the console (all the covering around the parking brake lever, that I will expose an adjustment screw? Mechanics I have asked have said the place to adjust this in in the rear brake assembly. I would love to find that the adjustment to tighten the paking brake is in the console.

Yes, pop the console out. It's 2 phillips screws under the front cup holders, then pop out the rear cup holder insert (squeeze to get the back tab out and then pull up) and then it's 3 10 mm bolts holding it in. Lift the back up (pop out the shifter skirt first, you don't have to take it all the way off) and carefully remove it. It should be fairly obvious after that.

Hope that works!

**I want an SVT Focus** · 04-04-2008, 11:03 PM

I'm pretty sure a shop just cut a little slit in the boot of my brake to tighten it up. if you can find the screw that would be the easiest method. I'm not complaining, they did it for free without asking

**ZX3autoxtasy** · 04-06-2008, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qwik1

Ok-- here is what to do. First try using the auto adjuster. Yank the ebrake about 20-30 times in a row.

If this has no effect, you can use the adjuster screw. This is located under the ebrake boot. Just unclip and lift the boot up to expose the screw. You do not want to make it too tight--- IIRC the spec is something like 30 lbs of force to reach 5-6 clicks.

If you still can't get it to work right, it may be time for that trip to the dealer.

http://www.focushacks.com/index.php?modid=81

Your welcome.

**Qwik1** · 04-06-2008, 04:05 AM

Why do the totally unnecessary work of pulling the console? At least try it by just pulling the boot up. I have done this on several Foci, and never had to move the console.

**fruitport_focus** · 11-02-2009, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qwik1

Why do the totally unnecessary work of pulling the console? At least try it by just pulling the boot up. I have done this on several Foci, and never had to move the console.

Exactly! Just remove the E-Brake boot (it snaps out) to gain access to the 10mm adjustment nut. You're welcome!

07-03-2001, 07:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
Griff TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Sunderland, NE England Posts: 330	Hand brake How far up is your handbrake travelling. When I put mine on it seems to go up 7/8 clicks. It also sounds as it is clunking as i reach tention as if it at it's limit. Just curious to know what other peoples is like as this doesn't sound like normal. Griff

07-03-2001, 10:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
blurr TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 853	Re: Hand brake That sounds about like mine. I'd prefer 3 or 4 clicks. I am going to look at the Ford CD and see what it takes to tighten it up, someday. But I think yours is 'normal'. 2¢

07-04-2001, 10:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
whitesedan TEAM Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Ft Collins Colorado USA Posts: 152	Re: Hand brake Check rear brake adjustment mine was very loose at 1,000 miles

07-05-2001, 08:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
Kelric [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Long Beach Posts: 5,016	Re: Hand brake the e-brake adjustment screw thingy is under the center console... Take out the center console (if you are the adventurous type and don't have probelms taking your car apart) and you will see the adjustment screw where the cable engages the e-brake assembly. If you don't want to mess with it, take it in to your dealer and have them tighten it. Problem is, most dealerships do not have "installers" working for them. When it comes to taking out panels/consoles/anything from inside the car and not under the hood, a stereo shop with "installers" is a much better place to take it.....

03-30-2008, 11:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
focusfather Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1	Re: Hand brake Hi -- My 2004 ZX3 has a loose praking brake meaning I pull it 7-8 clicks and it barely will hold on level pavement -- on any grade, it is completely ineffective. Are you telling me that if I remove the console (all the covering around the parking brake lever, that I will expose an adjustment screw? Mechanics I have asked have said the place to adjust this in in the rear brake assembly. I would love to find that the adjustment to tighten the paking brake is in the console.

04-04-2008, 11:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
I want an SVT Focus TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hamburg, NY Posts: 583	Re: Hand brake I'm pretty sure a shop just cut a little slit in the boot of my brake to tighten it up. if you can find the screw that would be the easiest method. I'm not complaining, they did it for free without asking __________________ 2003 PZEV SE sedan MM CAI, H&R Race springs, Koni yellows, Auto-x-ZTS 24mm rear swaybar, SPC camber plates, Poly FLCA, VF Rear engine mount, 15 x 7.5 Rota Slips, Toyo R1R RIP 2001 Infra-Red Street Edition Sedan

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