I took the pin out of the pivot where the handbrake cable splits from one into two cables. After re-assembly of the units around the cable, I went to re-attach it. Suddenly though the cables are too short! So strange, so I undo the handbrake adjustment bolt as far as it will go and the two parts will touch with force. However, the holes are at least 2 cm from each other. With a lot of force I could possibly get them together, but this would mean that the handbrake would be perminently engaged.

The single cable won't stretch any more from the lever end but also the two cables won't stretch very far from the drum end. Nothing has changed! I don't understand why the cables won't suddenly reach. The cables are not trapped as they will move when moving the handbrake lever and the cable end on each of the drums.

I'm stumped! I could probably bodge it with a C clip but i'd rather it was "right". Any ideas people? Anyone experienced anything like this?

Where have you taken the adjustment off mate? They are tight you should just be able to start the nut by hand then tighten up.
Adam

I think you misunderstood me maybe. Basically I took the pin that joins these two bits. I can't get them any nearer than this and as you can see the adjustment is on it's very limit:



Nothing has changed and I can't work out why the cable is suddenly shorter.

Yeh you cant do that you will never get it back together mate. Undo that nut on the end of the cable there on the right hand side, then refit the pin to the two halves, then put the cable back through that right hand section and you will just be able to get the nut on started then tighten up.
Adam

Ohh right. Cheers!

Well I reattached it and the cable would only reach this far:



Soooo I just gave up and settled for it bolting here



Bodge ftw! But yeah, I can't work out why it won't reach.

you dit put the handbrake off eh??

yep, I even had someone hold it to the bottom Nevermind, as long as it works.