Hi, new to the forum and site, chuffed to find it!!
Can anyone tell me if the handbrake cables are 'handed' please, one side appears to be holding better than the other - I am wondering if I have mixed up the cables?? Passenger side works well but seems to stick slightly and drivers side is poor.
Note to moderators or suppliers of info on 418, mine is Tahiti Blue, no sign of this colour in the info on it.

Cheers all.

Are there discs or drums on the back?

If discs then suspect sticky or stuck calipers or a handbrake cable that is too tight

If drums then they probably need a clean up and the self adjusters cleaning up so that they work properly.

Hi and cheers for your reply. She has drums on the rear and it is one of these that is sticking, cables are new and not too tight according to the manual. Cannot get even grip on the handbrake, drivers side is rubbish, passenger side great but sticks a bit (does release after split second though). Any advice appreciated mate.

Hi, when you brake normally does the car pull to one side? If it does then there is a problem with the brakes perhaps needing a service. If you drive at 10-15 mph and pull the handbrake only does the car lurch to one side or even? Try a lock up & see which one locks up. (Make sure it is a safe place.) If not even then you have a handbrake pull problem but its so unlikely. Have a full brake service is my advice. Good luck, Dave

Hi Dave, you can feel it 'pull down' one side more then the other when applying the handbrake and also using the engine to try tp pull away with handbrake on - the passenger side does not hold. When I put the new cables on, my friend passed me the cables and I doubt if he looked to see if the packaging stated left or right.
I remember many years ago having a triumph dolly, the arm was flexing and preventing lock up on the handbrake - could it be cables left on right etc (if handed), actuator arm in the drum or possibly worn drums?? Got be baffled, I normally sort these things easily.

Are the self adjusters working correctly?

Are the shoes in good condition?

Chances are they need a good clean up and lubrication of the pivots/cams.

I don't think the cables are handed and even if they were that wouldn't be the reason for the uneven brake effectiveness.

Cheers mate, will strip em down and give them a damn good clean up. Odd how these things can be so simple at times and baffling at other times.

My guess is that you have a sticky brake mechanism on one side - if the cables are relatively new then they're unlikely to be the problem.

Hi all and many thanks for all your replies. I finally got time to strip the drum down and the arm was hardly moving. Gave it a good spray with plus gas and manually moved it a bit until totally free and sprayed it with silicone grease - bobs your aunty job done.

Recently the brake vacuum pump packed up, so I phoned my 'local rover parts supplier' who informed me the repair kit was not available so I would need a new pump at £228. I had previously emailed Elring parts (suppliers of pierburg etc) who informed me that the kit was indeed available at the cost of Total Inc VAT: £46.12 (inc postage). Bit of a difference eh? Just goes to show some places cannot be bothered - I believe it is the same pump fitted to peugeot 205, 305 and some 405. The part number for the rover fitment is;4.05292.50.0.

Cheers all.