Rules for adjusting and replacing the VAZ-2109 hand brake

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The handbrake helps keep the car in one place during long periods of parking. It is also required for emergency braking.

Using the handbrake for drifting, which is popular among young drivers, is strongly discouraged.

View from the salon

Design

The handbrake (RT) system on VAZ 2109 cars is quite simple. It includes two main nodes:

• Braking devices for rear wheels;
• Mechanical drive.

The drive, in turn, consists of:

• Handbrake lever located in the cabin on the right hand of the driver;
• Front and rear drive cables.

The ends of the rear cable are connected to the levers of the manual brake shoes. In the section where the front cable is brought to the rear area we are dealing with the following elements:

• Equalizer;
• Adjusting nut;
• Tension spring and locknut. They connect the front cable to the car body bracket.

By releasing the lever, the spring releases the tension on the cables and the equalizer returns to its original position. This is where adjustment is required.

Dismantled RT handle

Why do you need a handbrake?

Replacing the hand brake cable of a VAZ 2109

Due to the hand or parking brake, the machine is held in one position during long-term parking conditions. In addition, it is used for emergency or emergency braking when driving. In essence, this is a braking device used in cases where it is impossible or difficult to use the main and foot brakes.

Note! The need to use the handbrake also arises when you need to “gas” and at the same time keep the car from rolling away.

Handbrake design

Replacing the hand brake cable on a VAZ 2109

This braking system is quite simple in design. It includes:

• brake mechanisms for the rear wheels specifically for this class of car;
• mechanical drive.

The drive itself consists of:

• the handbrake lever of the VAZ, which is located directly in the cab near the driver’s seat on the center line;
• front and rear drive cables.

The ends of the rear cable are connected to the manual brake shoe levers. In the area where the front cable is brought to the rear sections the following are located:

• equalizer;
• nut for adjustment;
• a locknut and a release spring, by means of which the front cable is attached to the engine body bracket.

Note. When the control lever is released, the spring loosens the cables and helps return the equalizer to its original position. This is where the handbrake is adjusted.

Adjustment or replacement

In some situations, you can get by with simply adjusting the cables, but sometimes they have to be changed completely.

Before making a final decision, we advise you to check the current condition of the PT and determine whether you just need adjustment, or whether you will have to change the cable.

How to repair the handbrake of a VAZ-2109 car

Adjusting the parking brake

According to traffic regulations, the parking brake must hold the vehicle on a 25% slope when moving the parking brake lever 2–8 clicks (on models produced before 1995 – 5–7 clicks).

In practice, you can check the parking brake adjustment by placing the car on a level surface.

Raise the parking brake lever all the way and try to move the car with all your might.

If you succeed, then you need to adjust the parking brake. Check the lever travel.

If the lever stroke is more than 8 clicks, the handbrake will not hold the car on a descent.

If the lever stroke is less than 2 clicks, then while driving there is a possibility of the rear wheels braking. In both cases, the parking brake must be adjusted.

On pre-1995 models only, raise the parking brake lever 1 to 2 clicks.

Loosen the equalizer locknut.

Tighten the equalizer adjusting nut until the parking brake cable is tensioned.

If the cable cannot be tensioned, then it needs to be replaced.

Check that the full travel of the parking brake lever should be 2–4 clicks (on models produced before 1995 – 4–5 clicks).

After this, tighten the equalizer lock nut

Lower the parking brake lever all the way and spin the rear wheels. They should rotate freely without jamming

Checking status

Normal PT adjustment ensures that the vehicle is held on a slope. This corresponds to 3-8 clicks of the handle on newer nines or 5-7 clicks on a VAZ 2109 produced before 1995.

To carry out the test, follow a few simple steps:

• Find a slope that has about 25 degrees;
• Turn the handbrake to the required position;
• If the car starts to roll, the handbrake does not hold, adjustment is required;
• If there is no such slope nearby, the check is carried out in a garage;
• Place the car on a flat surface, raise the handbrake handle all the way;
• Approach from behind and try to push the car with maximum force;
• If the car begins to move, the RT requires adjustment;
• Check the operation of the handbrake at 2 clicks on newer versions of the VAZ 2109 and not reaching 5 clicks on versions before 1995. If the handbrake is working at full strength, the cable will be tightened. It will also need to be adjusted.

Operating a car with a tightened PT cable is also dangerous, as this leads to overheating and wear of the rear brake pads.

Bottom view

Adjustment

To adjust the PT cable you will need a pit, overpass or lift. Next we proceed according to the following algorithm.

1. Raise the handbrake handle 2-3 clicks from the passenger compartment.
2. Get under the car and loosen the locking nut of the parking brake cable equalizer. Before doing this, it is better to treat the nut with a wire brush to remove all dirt.
3. Then act according to the circumstances. If the cable is overtightened, it must be loosened by appropriate manipulation of the nut. If the cable holds too weakly, the nut must be tightened more tightly.
4. If tensioning the cable does not produce any result, then the element is already at the limit of its capabilities. Therefore, the only solution to this situation is replacement.
5. When adjusting the degree of tension, be sure to evaluate the adjustment of the cable along the PT lever. As you remember, normally it is 3-8 clicks for more recent versions of the VAZ 2109, or 5-7 clicks for nines that were produced before 1995.
6. Check the freedom of rotation of the rear wheels. If you overtighten the cable, the wheels will spin with difficulty and not as freely as they should.
7. After making the adjustment, tighten the locking nut back and check the operation of the handbrake again by driving up a slope or pushing the machine with the PT on.

Adjustment process

If the adjustment did not give a positive result, the cable turned out to be worn out, overtightened and does not allow adjusting the operation of the RT, you will have to change it, thereby repairing the handbrake.

Replacement

In some cases, heavy movement of the cable in the sheath is due to lack of lubrication. To eliminate this defect, fill the shell with transmission or engine oil. Pour until grease flows out of the opposite end of the cable casing. Remember to move the cable while adding lubricant.

Cable replacement procedure

But lubrication is more of a temporary measure. If signs of cable wear are detected, it is better to replace it with a new one. This is done as follows.

1. Loosen the tension on the PT cable locking nut.
2. Unscrew the equalizer adjusting nut, which will loosen the handbrake drive cables.
3. Raise the rear of your VAZ 2109 using a jack, then remove the brake drum and brake pad.
4. Unscrew the drive cable end from the drive arm.
5. Disconnect the fastening nut, and then remove the PT cable holder on the rear suspension beam of the vehicle.
6. Remove the shell bushing from the hole in the brake shield.
7. Pass the end of the PT cable through the hole in the brake shield.
8. Remove the PT cable from all holders on the body of your car.
9. Disconnect the end of the PT cable from the equalizer.
10. Push the cable end out of the bracket to remove the cable.
11. Install a new, tested cable, proceeding in the reverse order.
12. Do not forget to adjust the cable tension and the performance of the restored RT at the final stage of assembling the unit.

Handbrake problems

VAZ 2109 handbrake adjustment

Usually the main malfunction manifests itself in the fact that the handbrake no longer holds the car, so it becomes necessary to adjust it (see Adjusting the handbrake yourself). This problem often occurs in the case of domestic cars. Another malfunction lies in the parking device; for example, the parking brake warning light may not light up or stay on continuously.

Adjusting or tightening the hand brake

VAZ 2109 handbrake and its cable

As noted earlier, the mechanical drive of this device is connected to the same brake pads of the rear wheels, which begin to function due to the main, hydraulic brakes of the car. For this reason, faults occurring directly in the drum will not be affected. In the worst case, there would be problems with the main brakes.

Tools

If the handbrake does not work, it can be adjusted. To do this you will need to acquire the following tools:

• wrench size 13;
• pliers;
• you can’t do without an inspection hole or overpass.

Step-by-step instruction

Actions must be carried out in the following sequence:

• the car is placed in a pit for inspection or driven onto a prepared overpass;
• The handbrake goes up two clicks;
• you need to stand under the bottom and loosen the lock nut of the equalizer;
• the adjusting nut is tightened to the cable tension limit;
• the locknut is tightened.

When the locknut does not tension the cable

A similar situation is typical for old, long-used machines. If the cable was extremely stretched, replacement is necessary. In addition, cable replacement will be required if there are signs of significant wear, as there is a large unexpected break.

If the handbrake light does not light up or does not turn off

In this situation, it is difficult to give single recommendations; each individual case must be considered using an individual electrical circuit for the machine, only then can we begin to troubleshoot the problem. If the light simply does not light up when you turn it on, the problem may be that it has burned out, but if it lights up constantly, then most likely there is a short circuit in the electrical system, due to which disturbances in the display have occurred on the dashboard.

Less work - longer operation?

Many drivers believe that rare use of the handbrake ensures maximum performance of this unit. In fact, such an attempt to preserve the RT resource gives a completely opposite effect.

The less often you use the handbrake on your car, the less movement the cable makes in its sheath. This leads to loss of efficiency and performance of the cable. Loss of mobility leads to the appearance of breaks when the handbrake is rarely applied. As a result, at the most inopportune moment the car does not stand still as it should.

To prevent problems with the RT, periodically inspect the condition of the unit, and also do not forget to squeeze the parking brake handle when necessary and required by traffic rules.

How to change the handbrake cable

In fact, the replacement process is very simple, just look carefully and remember how it is attached.

If the handbrake cable flies off the handbrake lever

There are situations when the cable and pads are in excellent condition, but the cable falls off the handbrake lever. To prevent it from flying off, when installing it in place, it is recommended to cover it with imported sealant, which securely holds the cable on the lever; it can be easily opened when changing pads.

Note! After using the sealant, you need to wait about an hour until it dries completely.

Is the muffler removed when tightening the handbrake?

Parking brake VAZ 2109

There is no need at all to dismantle the muffler, it is simply pulled back slightly, and the handbrake is tightened using a spanner. True, it won’t be possible to tighten it much, but this is easier to do than when removing the muffler. Since the disc tension is implied, you will have to crawl under the car. First you need to jack up the required side of the car. For safety reasons, it is advisable to place a brick under the wheel or place a small stump near the jack. It’s good if there is an inspection hole in the garage, then you won’t have to take an awkward position. The cable is tensioned with a nut, so you need to find the place where it is located:

• You need to get under the car.
• Find the stud with the nut to which the cable is attached.
• Find the ends of this cable.
• Screw the nut until the handbrake is raised 4 clicks.

If the nut is tightened and the handbrake holds well at the 4th click, then the desired result has been achieved.

Note! If the handbrake does not stay in the required position even after tightening the cable, the brake pads will most likely need to be replaced.

Since services for replacing and adjusting mechanisms are not cheap at service stations, it is advisable to perform the steps after watching video and photo materials with your own hands. The main conditions for successful work are competent instructions and good spare parts, the price of which must correspond to the quality.

Introduction

The hand parking brake is designed to allow the rear wheels to be locked when the vehicle is tilted. However, not a single existing part in the world can work forever; this rule also applies to the handbrake cable that is equipped with the VAZ-2109. After some time, the device begins to lose its properties and stretch slightly. The car owner himself can return a previously used structural element to its former performance by adjusting and tightening the product. If such manipulations are not enough, most likely you will have to resort to replacing the handbrake cable. The material below discusses in detail the instructions for tightening the handbrake cable in a VAZ-2109 car.

Over time, the VAZ-2109 parking brake cables stretch and need adjustment

Diagram of the manual parking brake for VAZ 2108, 2109, 21099 cars

The parking brake system of VAZ 2108, 2109, 21099 vehicles is designed to prevent spontaneous movement of the vehicle during parking.
The parking brake drive lever is connected by two torsos to the brake mechanisms of the rear wheels. Diagram of the parking brake system of VAZ 2108, 2109, 21099 cars

Main elements of the parking brake system of VAZ 2108, 2109, 21099 cars

— Parking brake lever

Powers the entire system.