How to tighten the handbrake on a VAZ 2114: we understand the intricacies

Handbrake VAZ 2114
Adjusting the hand brake VAZ 2114
How to tighten the handbrake on a VAZ 2114
Useful video
Conclusion

The handbrake is one of the most important elements in the safety system while driving. It is not only an element of the braking system, which is needed in order to effectively prevent a parked car from rolling, but also in order to avoid an accident. Some motorists are concerned about the question of how to tighten the handbrake on a VAZ 2114. In the article you can find a detailed answer to this question.

Handbrake VAZ 2114

It is necessary to monitor the serviceability of not only this element, but also the entire brake system so that the handbrake can fully perform its functions. If this element fails, then problems will arise with the brake system. Some drivers are perplexed why the VAZ 2114 does not hold the handbrake? In order to find out the cause of the breakdown, you should study the structure of the hand brake.

The hand brake of this car consists of many elements. The very first ones that you can notice are the lever and the locking button. The remaining elements of the handbrake are hidden from view.

Handbrake device for VAZ 2114

These include:

protective case;
control nut;
traction for the handbrake;
equalizer;
nut for adjustment;
cable.

The car also has a mechanism that is directly responsible for braking. It consists of brake pads that directly control the braking process. They should be changed constantly. The condition of another element of the system also needs to be monitored most carefully. We're talking about a drum.

Design

Many people mistakenly believe that the handbrake is a simple lever located near the gearbox, on the right hand of the driver. In fact, it is a whole system of elements that are connected to each other.

When the hand brake fails, in 90% of cases the culprit is a cable or a pair of cables that go to the rear brake pads from the equalizer.

To determine the reasons for the failure of the handbrake, it is necessary to understand the circuit diagram of the device and its components.

Handbrake diagram

The device includes a number of structural elements. Namely:

Lever arm;
Traction;
Springs;
Lever button;
Main cable axis;
Bolts;
Washers;
Drive unit;
Equalizer;
Case;
Locknuts;
Cotter pins;
Right and left lever;
Expansion left and right strip;
Lock washer, etc.

Adjusting the hand brake VAZ 2114

A handbrake failure is not a rare event. This kind of malfunction occurs everywhere. In some cases, after tightening the handbrake, the handbrake still remains inoperative. What are the main reasons for this malfunction?

The structure of the parking brake is quite complex.

Most often the problem is:

Worn out brakes.
Rope rupture or complete deformation.
Drum wear.

Parking brake cable

The fastest way to repair the handbrake is to contact a service center. If you have no desire to go there, then you can try an alternative option. It consists of tightening the handbrake yourself.

REPAIR METHODS

A quick but costly way to get rid of handbrake problems is, of course, to go to a service station. The cost of such a service is about 400 rubles. However, is it worth spending money on something that you can do yourself, especially without much effort? Applying the parking brake yourself is not that difficult, and the savings are not small.

If you practice enough, tensioning the cable or replacing the pads will take no more than half an hour. Experienced car enthusiasts can handle this faster. Some operations require welding, so having the appropriate equipment and skills will not hurt. But this usually only applies to those who do not want to replace old parts with new ones, and prefer to repair worn-out elements with their own hands.

How to tighten the handbrake on a VAZ 2114

During operation, many elements of the brake system wear out. The cables suffer the most. They may be subject to deformation. They also stretch over time. What needs to be done and how to tighten the handbrake of a VAZ 2114?

To repair the handbrake, do the following:

The car needs to be driven onto an overpass. As an alternative, a regular inspection hole is also suitable. A jack should be used for repairs.
After this is done, you need to set the gear lever to 1st gear.
When this is done, you need to release the handbrake.
Now it's time to find the most important tool. We are talking about a key for 13. You will need 2 copies.

Keys for 13

After this, you should go under the car and find the muffler. It will be easier to do this if you study the location of this unit in advance according to the instructions.
The next step is to remove the muffler mounts as carefully as possible. When this is done, the manifold mounts must also be removed. If this is not done, then further repair steps will be much more difficult.

Handbrake linkage equalizer

You need to find a cable equalizer. When this unit is found, you need to loosen the locknut using the first wrench. A second wrench will be needed to hold the nut. If this is not done, scrolling may occur.
Now it’s time to adjust the lever travel. Tightening the nut reduces the stroke of the lever, and loosening the nut increases the stroke of the lever. A stroke of two to six clicks is considered normal.

Adjusting the parking brake

After this is done, all that remains is to raise the rear of the car using a jack. You need to get the car in such a position that the wheels are hanging. After this, you can begin checking the brake pads. The wheels must be secured as securely as possible, otherwise an emergency situation may occur.
At the last stage, you need to tighten the nut back. After this, you should check the handbrake for functionality.

Checking the hand brake

Important information. Some craftsmen are able to tighten the handbrake even without loosening the muffler. They use homemade keys as tools. It is not recommended to repeat this yourself, otherwise the most unpleasant consequences may occur for both the mechanic and the car.

Necessary tool

To complete the process of tightening the handbrake, we will need:

Two open-end wrenches for 13;
Flat screwdriver;
Jack;
Liquid WD-40 or “liquid key”.

It is best to carry out the work on an overpass or pit, since the adjustment mechanism is located in the center of the bottom of the machine, almost under the hand brake lever. You can try to lift one of the sides of the car with a jack and then climb under it, but this is not so convenient and not entirely safe.

Conclusion

A properly functioning braking system is the key to safe driving and the absence of any problems on the road. The life of not only the transport driver, but also all passengers depends on how efficiently it works.

The VAZ hand brake is the simplest mechanism. Its repair cannot cost a large amount, so you should not put off repairing the brake system until a later date. You don't even need sophisticated tools to carry out repairs. You can repair a VAZ 2114 with ordinary garage equipment.

If you take proper care of your car and its braking system, it will repay its owner with more than just longevity. In an emergency, a car can save lives if all its mechanisms are in good working order and functioning normally.

Malfunctions and their symptoms

Determining that a cable needs adjustment or replacement is quite simple. Signs of a faulty mechanism appear as follows:

The handbrake is pressed effortlessly - the cable is loose, you need to tighten it.
The mechanism does not respond to pressing the lever - the drive is torn or flew out, or the reason may be the wear of the rear pads.
If the handbrake is stuck, the drive is damaged and needs to be replaced.

Read more: The VAZ 2107 generator does not charge, the injector and carburetor: why the battery light is on, signs, causes and solutions, instructions with photos and videos

Having taken out the main element, you can visually determine its condition. Replacement is required in the following cases:

Up to 2% are damaged or torn.
The cable moves with difficulty even after applying lubricant.
The drive tips have grooves.

Car service

Naturally, you can use the services of a car service, but this is not always convenient and accessible. The prices are high. When working with your own hands, you only pay for the purchase of the cable and spend your personal time. But work experience will never be superfluous. And the quality of work in car services is not always satisfactory and the work itself can be extended for an indefinite period.

There is nothing complicated about replacing the handbrake cable on a VAZ 2114, and following the above instructions, such an important job will be done quickly and efficiently. Cables often become unusable and next time the repair will be done even faster.

Dismantling and replacement

It is difficult to confuse the cable from the handbrake with anything else under the bottom of your VAZ 2114, which greatly simplifies the repair and replacement procedure.

Dismantling works

We provide detailed instructions for replacement, and additionally recommend watching the video.

We advise you to get the car in order in terms of cleanliness in advance. This will make it easier for you to find all the nuts and fasteners.
Additionally, treat the nuts with the almighty WD40. This will make it much easier for you to unscrew the sometimes sticking and rusting nuts.
Place the handbrake lever all the way down.
Start with the adjusting nut and locknut that you used recently to try to tighten a loose cable. In this situation, you should loosen the nuts and remove them from the handbrake rod.
Remove the washers and cable equalizer. Although this can be done after you jack up the car. But be sure to do it before removing the wheels.
Raise the rear of the car with a jack, unscrew the wheel bolts and remove them.
Tap the brake drum locking pins. This will allow them to be removed from the brake pads.
Remove the block.
You now need to disconnect the ends of the two cables from the equalizer. The fasteners can be removed from their places with the simplest pliers, so don’t bother.
The shifted spacer lever has hooks from which the cable loop can be removed.
The cable sheath must be removed from the entire suspension of the rear of the car. To do this, the mounting bolts are first unscrewed.
Pull the cable out of the holes through the brake flaps.
We got rid of the old cable, so all that remains is to replace the old one with a new element. The procedure is performed exactly in reverse order.
Thread the new cables through the washers and hook the loops. You can additionally make bosses - this is a special clamp that allows you to fix the cable even more tightly.
Reassemble the entire disassembled wheel structure.
Route the cable along the suspension through the sheath and secure the bolts.
Pull the handbrake in the cabin.
Check the correct tension and operation of the new hand brake, or rather the cable.

It is not uncommon for the parking brake to cause an unpleasant squeaking noise from the rear. By changing the cable, you can get rid of this problem at the same time. To do this, rubber seals are installed under the cable fasteners on the body frames.

Functionality check

After replacing the cable, check its operation.

Place the car on a hill and turn on the handbrake. If the car starts to roll, the new cable needs adjustment.
Loosen the parking brake lock nut in the handbrake, tighten the adjusting nut, and then pull the cable using the lever.
The optimal lever stroke should include 2-4 strokes. If this happens, tighten the locknut and check it again.
We drive up a hill and turn on the handbrake. Now the car should definitely stand still. Unless the cable turned out to be fake or an error was made during the assembly stage.

Disassembled handbrake

Before frost, it is recommended to lubricate the parking cable, which will significantly extend its service life. Under the influence of negative temperatures, the cable breaks down faster. The tips, axle and rod of the equalizer should be lubricated.

Tightening and replacing the handbrake cable is not a difficult task. Even if you don't have a lot of experience working on cars, you will be able to do this job.

But if you are not confident in your own abilities or simply do not have time to do such things on your own, contact a service station. A lift will cost about 500-700 rubles, but for a replacement they will ask for at least 1,500 rubles.

cableThe role of the car’s braking system in ensuring safety is unlikely to be disputed by anyone, but the importance of the “handbrake” is still underestimated by many. Some motorists are negligent about its technical condition, believing that in extreme cases they will be able to lock the car in the parking lot by engaging the gear. At the same time, they do not take into account that a tightened handbrake will also help in a critical situation on the road. Therefore, it is better to monitor its condition from the first days and make timely repairs to the system.

We recommend: Replacing the thermostat Lada 2115 (VAZ 2115)

Dismantling and replacement

It is difficult to confuse the cable from the handbrake with anything else under the bottom of your VAZ 2114, which greatly simplifies the repair and replacement procedure.

Dismantling works

We advise you to get the car in order in terms of cleanliness in advance. This will make it easier for you to find all the nuts and fasteners.
Additionally, treat the nuts with the almighty WD40. This will make it much easier for you to unscrew the sometimes sticking and rusting nuts.
Place the handbrake lever all the way down.
Start with the adjusting nut and locknut that you used recently to try to tighten a loose cable. In this situation, you should loosen the nuts and remove them from the handbrake rod.
Remove the washers and cable equalizer. Although this can be done after you jack up the car. But be sure to do it before removing the wheels.
Raise the rear of the car with a jack, unscrew the wheel bolts and remove them.
Tap the brake drum locking pins. This will allow them to be removed from the brake pads.
Remove the block.
You now need to disconnect the ends of the two cables from the equalizer. The fasteners can be removed from their places with the simplest pliers, so don’t bother.
The shifted spacer lever has hooks from which the cable loop can be removed.
The cable sheath must be removed from the entire suspension of the rear of the car. To do this, the mounting bolts are first unscrewed.
Pull the cable out of the holes through the brake flaps.
We got rid of the old cable, so all that remains is to replace the old one with a new element. The procedure is performed exactly in reverse order. Thread the new cables through the washers and hook the loops. You can additionally make bosses - this is a special clamp that allows you to fix the cable even more tightly.
Reassemble the entire disassembled wheel structure.
Route the cable along the suspension through the sheath and secure the bolts.
Pull the handbrake in the cabin.
Check the correct tension and operation of the new hand brake, or rather the cable.

What is needed to adjust the handbrake

In the absence of all these conditions, which any ordinary driver is unlikely to be able to provide, you can get by with support “goats”, which are installed under the rear of the body after it has been raised with a jack. It is also worth considering the presence of two “13” keys and pliers in the set.

Read more: Which side and interior mirrors are suitable for a VAZ 2107, how to remove and install instructions with photos and videos

VAZ 2110 handbrake does not work

The parking brake adjustment process is as follows:

the car is placed on an overpass (or a ditch, or generally raised with a jack);
the position of the brake lever is checked - it should be the lowest;
Using the first key, the lock nut is loosened, while at the same time holding the adjusting nut with the second key.
The adjusting nut is tightened until the handbrake cable is tensioned.

Note. When tightening the adjusting nut, the rod must be held with pliers.

VAZ 2110 tighten the handbrake

Now you should make sure that the full stroke of the lever is from 2 to 4 clicks;
After the stroke has been checked, the equalizer locknut should be tightened while holding the adjusting nut with a wrench.
The handbrake lever goes down, after which the rear wheels are turned by hand. Their rotation should occur evenly and without jamming.

Note. If the handbrake drive cable cannot be tensioned during the adjustment process, this part should be replaced.

VAZ 2110 handbrake adjustment

After the system has been adjusted, it is necessary to check the quality of its operation again. To do this, after all the work performed by the driver, you should find a section of the road with a slope of at least 23%, then stop the car on it and put it on the handbrake. If the brakes reliably hold the car on the rise, then everything was done correctly.

VAZ 2110 handbrake does not hold

In some cases, adjustment is indeed not enough. This happens in cases where the handbrake cable breaks - a rather rare phenomenon, but still happens, especially on older cars. It happens that the cable breaks on newer models that are subjected to too intense use, which the brake system of an average car is not designed for.

VAZ 2110 manual brake adjustment

The cable should also be replaced in the following situations:

when its tips are loose;
the cable threads began to stretch (this could soon lead to a break);
the cable moves quite hard in its sheath even after it has been lubricated.

Like adjusting the handbrake, an operation such as replacing the parking brake cable does not necessarily require a visit to a car service center. And, although it will most likely take much more time to complete, such repairs do not require special professional skills, equipment or any specialized tools.

Note. Still, some conditions must be met when replacing the cable. For this work, the driver will need an assistant who will strongly pull the cable in order to correctly install the equalizer.