Handbrake cables - advice needed please

[woo]

I’ve just had to replace my handbrake cables. After adjusting them at the handbrake I find that one cable has 1/8 inch of thread showing and the other cable nearly 1/2 inch. The old cables had the same amount of thread showing both sides

I have:
*Checked the cables and they look like they are installed ok.
*Checked the cable outers are sitting in the brass connectors at each end.
*Adjusted the rear brakes with the handbrake cables loose so that they just rotate freely.
*Adjusted the cables with the handbrake on 3 clicks until the wheel drums can only just be turned with about the same force.

Both rear brakes have recently been re-shoed, and when the handbrake is on there is the same amount of cable showing between the brass connectors and the lever on the rear brake drum.

So the installation looks ok, and the car pulls up straight both on the handbrake and the footbrake.

Is this difference usual with new brake cables, or should they always show equal amounts of thread at the handbrake adjusters.

I’d appreciate any advice anyone can give, even if it is only to clear doubts about safety.

Thanks

[ericwork]

is the handbrake lever twisted, it is possible to move this off centre fairly easily.

[rayofleamington]

It may nnot actually be the cable - with new shoes (and maybe different brands of rear wheel cylinder) I would expect some variation between each one.
You have done the important bit which is to adjust the shoes whilst the handbrake cable was free and also to check that the handbrake is balanced between the wheels - Therefore it all sounds like it was done thoroughly and it works fine.
The old handbrake cables may have been evenly adjusted at the cable end but that doesn't automatically guarantee they gave well balanced braking.

Personally I wouldn't worry at all, but it would be worth to recheck everything after 500 miles when the shoes have bedded in.

[woo]

ericwork,

Thanks for the idea. The handbrake is straight but it will be worth watching for the future.

Ray,

Thanks for your input, after which I feel more confident about the installation.
I thought everything probably was alright, but being a confirmed 'autochondriac' I needed to check.