Many owners of sedans and hatchbacks Nissan Almera N16 Over time, they encounter a problem when the parking brake lever has to be lifted 7-8 clicks for the car to begin to lock. This is a clear sign that the cable mechanism is worn out or has loose tension, which poses a serious safety hazard when parking on a slope. Ignoring this malfunction may result in the car simply rolling, despite the raised lever, especially on a slippery road.
Adjustment hand brake on this model does not require complex specialized equipment and is accessible even to a novice car enthusiast with a minimum set of tools. However, the process has its own technical nuances related to the design of the rear brake mechanisms and the point of attachment of the cables. Incorrect adjustment can lead to wheel jamming or, conversely, to a lack of locking.
In this article, we will look in detail at how to correctly diagnose wear and adjust the tension of the parking brake cables. We will look at two main methods: adjustment through the nut under the tunnel and adjustment through the rear brakes, if the first method does not work.
Diagnostics and preparation of the car for work
Before you begin any manipulations with the brake mechanism, you must make sure that there is a malfunction and determine its nature. Often, owners try to tighten the lever without checking the condition of the brake pads themselves or the wear of the cables. If the cables are frayed or jammed, simply tightening the nut will not solve the problem, but will only aggravate the situation with wheel jamming.
Raise the car on a lift or use reliable sill stands. Make sure the car is stable and the gear is out of gear. Shift into neutral and lower the lever parking brake all the way down. Now try turning the rear wheels by hand. If they rotate freely and have no resistance, this is normal when the handbrake is off.
If the wheels turn with difficulty or the lever rises too high (more than 8-10 clicks), adjustment is necessary. Check the condition of the cables under the car. They must be protected from corrosion and dirt, and also have lubricant inside the shell.
- 🔧 Check whether the lever is stuck in the upper position due to wear on the return spring.
- 🔧 Assess the condition of the cable protective covers to make sure there is no moisture ingress.
- 🔧 Make sure the brake pads are thick enough to work effectively.
Tension adjustment via central nut
Basic setup method Nissan Almera N16 is carried out through an adjusting nut located under the central tunnel of the cabin. To access it, you will need to remove a plastic plug or part of the tunnel trim between the front seats. This is the simplest method that eliminates 90% of problems with lever play.
You will need a 12 or 14 millimeter wrench, depending on the year of the car. Lift the parking brake lever up 3-4 clicks. This will create an initial tension on the cables to prevent the nut from turning uncontrollably. By unscrewing the nut, you release the cables, and by tightening, you tighten them.
Tighten the nut evenly, checking the result periodically. After each half turn of the nut, lower the lever and try to turn the rear wheels. They should rotate freely, without noticeable resistance. Then lift the lever again and count the number of clicks.
- 📏 The optimal number of clicks for fixation is from 5 to 7.
- 📏 Too much tension will lead to overheating of the brake discs and rapid wear of the pads.
- 📏 Too little tension will make the handbrake useless on a slope of more than 15 degrees.
- 3-4 clicks
- 5-7 clicks
- 8-10 clicks
- More than 10 clicks
⚠️ Attention: Do not tighten the adjusting nut all the way. This can cause the cables to stretch unevenly and one of the rear wheels to begin to jam when driving.
Performance check and test run
After you have adjusted the tension of the cables, it is necessary to carry out a control check. Make sure that the lever engages clearly and returns to the down position without delay. Try to release the lever and lift it again - the mechanism should work smoothly, without jerking or extraneous sounds.
To final check the effectiveness of braking, you need to drive onto a safe section of the road with a slight slope. Stop the engine, put the gear in neutral and raise the handbrake lever the calculated number of clicks (usually 6).
Try to move away without engaging a gear or releasing the handbrake. The vehicle must be held in place or begin to move only after overcoming the resistance of the brakes. If the machine rolls easily, the adjustment must be repeated by adding another half turn of the nut.
- 🚗 Carry out a test on a slope of at least 15-20% to be sure of the reliability of the fixation.
- 🚗 Check the operation of the brakes after driving 50-100 km, as the cables may “settle” a little.
- 🚗 Feel the absence of heating of the rear discs after the trip to prevent jamming.
☑️ Handbrake checklist
Adjustment via rear brake mechanisms
If adjusting the center nut does not work or the lever continues to rise too high, the problem may lie in worn brake pads or in the tension mechanisms inside the drums. On Nissan Almera N16 Rear brakes are often of the drum type, with cables pulling the release lever.
To access the mechanism, you will need to remove the rear wheels and brake drums. Inside you will see a mechanism for releasing the pads, which is driven by a cable. If there is too much slack in the cable even with the center nut tightened, the cables may need to be replaced or adjustments made within the drum.
In some cases, it is necessary to tighten the adjusting screw of the release mechanism itself inside the drum. This is done through the technological hole in the brake shield using a screwdriver. This is a delicate job that requires care, as the friction linings can be damaged.
⚠️ Attention: When working inside the drum, be extremely careful about asbestos dust that may be released when removing old pads. Use a respirator and safety glasses.
| Parameter | Normal value | Symptom of malfunction |
|---|---|---|
| Number of clicks | 5-7 | More than 9 or less than 3 |
| Free play of the cable | Minimum | Visible sagging |
| Wheel rotation | Free | Creaking or delay |
| Pad condition | Thickness > 1.5 mm | Thickness < 1.0 mm |