The Classic Mini handbrake operates the rear drums mechanically via cables and a compensating mechanism that distributes force equally between both rear wheels. A poor handbrake is far more commonly caused by cable condition, stretching, internal corrosion and seized inner cables, than any fault in the rear brake mechanism itself.
Cable Specifications
The Classic Mini handbrake uses a front cable from the lever to a centrally-mounted compensator, and a rear cable from the compensator to each rear backplate. Cable failure typically shows as a slack handbrake even after adjustment, a cable that will no longer free off when the lever is released, or a notable stretch in lever travel before the brake bites. Replacing both cables together is the most reliable approach, they age together and a stretched front cable masks the condition of the rear cable until it is renewed.
MGOC Spares Range
The MGOC Spares Classic Mini handbrake range covers handbrake cables for all variants (10-inch and 12-inch wheel cars), handbrake levers, compensator mechanisms, cable brackets, clevis pins, adjusters and all associated fixings.