Mercedes-Benz W201 handbrake adjustment and seizing
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How do I adjust the W201 handbrake?
1. Raise the rear of the car, supported, and remove one wheel bolt. 2. Turn the adjuster wheel through the bolt hole with a screwdriver until the shoes touch the drum. 3. Back off slightly so the brake does not drag. The brake is important for safety, so have a workshop check the result.
Why does the W201 handbrake not hold even though the footbrake works?
The cause is often worn-out handbrake shoes, so check them first. If the shoes are fine but the cable is still slack, it is tightened from under the car. The cable does not usually need adjusting until it has stretched.
Why does the W201 handbrake not release or work on only one side?
The linkages that move the shoes rust and seize easily, for example from disuse, and the cable may also be seized. The solution is new linkages and, if necessary, new cables. The linkages should be replaced when the brakes are serviced.
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