Hi all,

As the title says, basically I had intended on treating the car to new discs and pads today as it looked as though one of the calipers was sticky/seized and has resulted in very uneven pad wear and now the disc doesn’t even clear the corrosion so it isn’t even working at all.

As I thought with this rust bucket the caliper and carrier bolts were a pig to come off but I got there and the slider pins are seized solid but I thought I could work with that and I continued to remove the disc…..

Well the easiest part of the job I thought has turned out to be the nightmare.


I can’t release the shoes as the adjuster ratchet/cog is totally seized.

Has anyone encountered this and can I just lever the disc off anyway and hopefully free it off once I can see it?
Or will I wreck the handbrake shoes by not loosening them?

Thanks. 2005 (55) Range Rover 4.2 Supercharged Vogue SE Java Black

Try releasing fluid (lots e.g. wd40) with plenty of wiggling on the adjuster with a screwdriver or a bit of heat from a blowtorch. .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

Tried wd40 with no luck but will maybe try some heat thanks 👍🏻 2005 (55) Range Rover 4.2 Supercharged Vogue SE Java Black

One little trick, as the adjuster is splined, get a screwdriver with a hardened tip and the sort where the metal shaft goes all the way through the handle, then use that as a chisel to shock the adjuster, it may not be seized, it may be locked at the end of the travel. Seen that before.

Also, you can (1) Lever off carefully or (2) if changing the discs - hammer the disc off, it will wreck the hand brake shoes, but if you are going to change the shoes then it doesn't matter.

I would just try levering the disc off and hope. The handbrake shoes aren't expensive if you have to replace them.
If the adjuster is seized there is no way you will release it with the disc in place.

Thanks I didn’t hammer it as I wasn’t sure if there was another way or technique but shocking it sounds like a good plan.
Wasn’t planning on changing the shoes, just the discs and pads but not against changing them if required or through necessity if I have to hammer the disc off.

Thanks for the advice 👍🏻 2005 (55) Range Rover 4.2 Supercharged Vogue SE Java Black

If you are planning to change the discs and pads, then it makes good sense to change the hand brake shoes at the same time, otherwise you could end up doing the job again a few months down the line, just seems logical to me to change everything in one go.

Don't know how long you have had the fatty, but first time I did mine after I bought it, when I changed everything, I did the hand brake shoes, springs / clips, the lot for peace of mins.

Last edited by Merchy on 10th Sep 2021 9:51pm. Edited 1 time in total

Never use the handbrake if I’m honest as it’s never been great, always assumed it needed adjusted and I would do it when changing the discs and pads.
Was planning on selling the car so didn’t want to buy any more than I needed.
Totally agree with you though if it was a long term keeper then it would be treated to the full works. 👍🏻 2005 (55) Range Rover 4.2 Supercharged Vogue SE Java Black

When you get the disc off you will find it full of general crud which gets between the shoe surface and the drum surface effectively lubricating the contact surfaces.
At best you will need to Emery paper the brake shoe surfaces.
I can never understand how handbrake shoes wear, they are only in use when the car is stationary after all, but they do.

Perfect mate, thanks for the advice. 2005 (55) Range Rover 4.2 Supercharged Vogue SE Java Black