I have an N registered 1.7 Vauxhall Corsa diesel on which last week the 
handbrake cable snapped. This weekend I replaced it, but am unable to 
adjust the slack from it completely - pulling the lever all the way is 
still completely ineffective.

The cable comes in two parts which join in an "equaliser plate" - the 
offside cable has a tensioning thread and this is fully home, but the 
Haynes manual states that adjustment may also be made by "repeatedly 
depressing the brake pedal 20 to 25 times ... having an assistant listen 
to the rear drums to ensure the adjuster nut is functioning correctly". 
I have tried pumping the brake, but even after 20 or 30 miles of 
driving - and plenty of braking - the slack is still present.

Removing the hubs today showed the brake tensioner is clearly 
functioning OK - the drums were difficult to remove, but the tensioning 
mechanism was in the correct place and after only a couple of turns on 
the nut the brake shoes were withdrawn enough that replacing the drums 
was easy.

My over-riding impression is that the replacement cable I've been given 
must be an inch or two too long, but as the shop is now closed for the 
evening I thought I'd check with the wise heads of this group here in 
case I'm doing something daft or making a common mistake.

If anyone has a parts manual the cables I have came in grey & red bags 
marked "Automotive Cables - a QH Group Company", part numbers BC2347 & 
BC2419 - marked respectively as "equivalent" to MBC7152 and MBC7208. I 
would be very grateful for any advice.

Andy B.