My handbrake is a little loose and I want to tighten the travel between the 'off' position and the 'on' position (when the back wheels lock up :D)
Basically I have to rip on the handbrake all the way up to get it to hold on hillstarts and it's starting to get on me nerves.

I've included a few very basic diagrams...Handbrake1.jpg shows how my handbrake is at the moment, and handbrake2.jpg show how I would like it to be.

Is it possible for me to do this on my own or do I need to take it to a mechanic? On a completly unrelated topic, how tight would one's handbrake have to be to do 180 degree turns?

Take out the rear section of teh centre console (2 bolts at the rear near the seats, 2 under the flap, 2 under the ash tray) and theres a 10ml socket (the one in the middle). Tighten it up to you're hearts content.

MAGNA, have you done this personally? Tightening it too far would make the handbrake permanently 'on' right?

Ive done it and yes it would but what you can do it pull the lever up until you think its a deasent height then tighten it up as far as possible.

My gfs stepdad thought he was smart by tightening it up all the way going "look how far you have to move it to lock the wheels. not far at all huh?" You should have tried to move the bloody thing.

What i did was just tightened it a bit... worked for me.

It's done, 2 clicks and it holds the car. Thanks for all your help MAGNA, your info was spot on. For those who see this post and want to do it themselves, you actually don't have to take the centre console off. Just open your centre console storage bin (between the driver and front passenger seat) and lift the tray out. This gives access to the handbrake adjustment system.

Once again thanks MAGNA, that's the second time your info had been invaluable to me (first being the dash speaker removal).

Oh, and Meph, yeah, I did that but I couldn't pull it bck enuf to make it click...lol...had to back it off a little.