The handbrake on a nissan primera is almost the same from year 93 to 2002. There are 2 possibilities for adjustment;
1. CABLE: Adjust the cable from the lever end for which a size 10 spanner can be used or a socket set. just tighten away a few turns clockwise and this should bring the Pads closer.
If the car has been standing for awhile then take off both the rear wheels and apply WD-40 to the calipers and bang the outside of the calipers to loosen them.
2. REPLACING THE REAR BRAKE PADS:
You will need a no 17 socket to remove the calliper. The new brakes will not fit in the existing calliper unless it is wound back . A special tool will be required for this but if you improvise you can create one. It should be created in the shape of an F and twisted clockwise to wind back the cylinder.
Once the brakes are replaced and handbrake is fully applied. You will notice the vehicle will not hold i.e the handbrake fails to apply fully and this is due to the handbrake being of the self adjusting type.Hence they are integrated into the caliper for the foot brake. To make the handbrake apply. Start the car in neutral. Turn of the handbrake. Then foot brake needs to be pumped a few times and the pedal kept pressed down. While the foot brake pedal is pressed down the handbrake needs to be applied fully (pulled back/up). This will need to be done a dozen times.
Nav, February 2008
