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  • Classics Monthly

    Troubleshooting with Steve Rothwell

    Aug 06, 2021 7 minutes

    AUSTIN MINI

    HORROR HANDBRAKE

    Q I seem to be having a constant battle with the handbrake on my 1967 Austin Mini (MkII). It will stick no matter whether I leave it applied or disengaged. I have tried not applying it whilst the Mini is parked in my garage, but as soon as I use it, then it will stick and cause the brakes to bind. The problem is the rear quadrants, but however much I spray them with lubricant and free them off, after a few months they stick in place again.

    Jim Marchant

    The handbrake quadrants are a perpetual problem on the Mini and the answer is to replace them, along with the cotter pins, ensuring that the new parts are thoroughly greased before fitting. If the cotter pin is fitted as the original one was, then it will drop down from the top and this would involve either dropping the subframe or drilling an access hole from above to change the pin. Even if you find the pin is fitted from below, the locking split pin will be difficult to access and you may still need to drill

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