How do rear brakes adjust themselves on type 44?

[Phil Payne]

> I thought it was by driving in reverse, but I've also heard by using the
> handbrake.

Sorry about the quality:

http://www.isham-research.com/quattro/caliper.png

To get a _perfect_ handbrake (which some call an "emergency brake", though it's useless for
that purpose):

a) Axle stand the rear of the car with the handbrake on and loosen the lug´nuts.  If the
handbrake won't hold the wheels against the lug nut wrench - isn't it a good idea you're doing
this?
b) Release the handbrake
c) Release the handbrake adjustment above the exhaust - a 10mm nut locked by another.  Deep
10mm socket and open-ended wrench required
d) Remove rear wheels
e) Remove calipers
f) Detach hydraulic brake lines from calipers
g) Detach (already loose) handbrake cable - a very fine pin drift will loosen the Bowden cable
outer where it sits in the caliper
h) Wind out the piston and replace the boot and seals, cleaning and lubing with brake fluid,
and wind back in all the way
i) Refit everything but the handbrake cable
j) Pressure bleed as per Bentley
k) Using the footbrake, reseat the rear caliper pistons
l) Refit the handbrake cable
m) Adjust the handbrake as per Bentley

It's a good idea, while the calipers are off, to lever the handbrake operating lever up a
slight way (about 5mm) and clean off the shaft with a thin strip of fine Emery paper using a
see-saw motion - then grease the shaft with Copper-Eeze or some such and push it back down.  A
full strip is better, but this is usually enough.

--
  Phil Payne
  http://www.isham-research.com/quattro
  +44 7785 302 803