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

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:

1. Worn out brakes.
2. Rope rupture or complete deformation.
3. 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.

Pro Tips

If you do not want to waste your time and energy on mastering a fairly simple handbrake design and tightening the handbrake yourself, you can contact a car service center. The price of the issue is at least 400 rubles, depending on the region of the country, but the event is not a one-time event. After a certain time, you will need to adjust the handbrake cable again, for which you will have to go to a car service center again. It is worth noting that the cost of the procedure will increase with each new visit.

After a tightening, it often happens that a strong cracking sound appears. It is possible that a cable or two cables were not installed correctly during tightening. Make sure that the cable does not catch on the fasteners or anything else. You can unscrew the bolts that hold the cable and see what condition they are in. If there are signs of rubbing, it is necessary to lay the cable correctly. In addition, the cable may crack because it is overtightened (even when the parking brake clicks fall within the required interval).

You have to tighten the handbrake quite often. This is due to the design of the parking brake. In addition, you will have to adjust the parking brake when replacing brake pads, repairing the handbrake, repairing the cable, and replacing the rear brake cylinder.

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:

1. 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.
2. After this is done, you need to set the gear lever to 1st gear.
3. When this is done, you need to release the handbrake.
4. 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

1. 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.
2. 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

1. 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.
2. 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

1. 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.
2. 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.

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: Distributor daewoo (nexia, matiz) 8 valves: checking the cover and the entire assembly, repair and replacement of the distributor

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.

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.

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: Replacing the VAZ 2107 chain guide: how to remove and install correctly, 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.

What is needed for tuning

If you still decide to install rear disc brakes on the VAZ-2114, you need to know what elements are required for this:

1. Brake discs. Ideally suited are those installed on the front wheels of the VAZ-2114 or similar models - 2108, 2109. Their diameter should be 240 mm. But you need to pay attention to the fact that you cannot do without a turner - the hub is slightly different in design. More specifically, it will have to be bored from a diameter of 58 mm to 60.
2. Calipers, brake pads, hoses - also from the front brakes of the Samara-1 and Samara-2 generation models. Therefore, you can safely purchase the entire set of front brakes for the nine.
3. Plates for fastening calipers. You can either make them yourself or purchase them at auto stores.
4. 12 bolts M10X1.25, 30 mm long.
5. Distance washers – 8 pieces. Ideally suited are those installed in the gas distribution mechanism drive of the 8-valve VAZ-2109 and 2114 models.

Well, that’s all, all the spare parts have been purchased, all the necessary tools are available. All that's left to do is carry out a complete modernization. It should be noted that fairly new VAZ-2114s (their price on the secondary market remains high) do not have rear brakes, but can be converted without much difficulty.