Bulkhead Workshop › Land Rover models › Land Rover Defender Td5 › Workshop guide › Adjust transmission handbrake

Land Rover Defender Td5: adjust transmission handbrake

Brakes · Defender (1990–2016) · 1998–2007

How often: every 12,000 mi or year, whichever comes first. The handbrake is a drum on the back of the transfer box. It is the only parking brake, so it needs to work.

Work safely: support the vehicle on axle stands, never a jack alone; let it cool first. Check figures against your workshop manual. You do this work at your own risk.

Parts

• Handbrake shoes (if oily or worn)
• Transfer box output seal (if leaking)

Tools

• Spanner
• Chocks

Step by step

1. Chock the wheels. Release the handbrake.
2. Turn the adjuster on the back-plate (at the rear of the transfer box) until the drum locks, then back it off until it turns freely.
3. Check the lever holds the vehicle on a slope at 3–4 clicks.
4. If the shoes are oily, replace the transfer box output seal as well as the shoes.

More Land Rover Defender Td5 servicing