Resettting handbrake

Can someone confirm the procedure below is correct for resetting the handbrake – I’ve done this a few times before, but perhaps I missed out a step.

Slacken off handbrake cable from inside the car.
Remove wheels
Disconnect handbrake cable at each calliper
Remove pads
Wind the calliper pistons in clockwise until they fully retract.
Put the pads back in
Press footbrake pedal a few times
Re-attach handbrake cable at each calliper
Tighten up handbrake cable from inside the car

I think I may have missed out ‘Press footbrake pedal a few times’ before re-attaching cable, as now the handbrake doesn’t operate at all.

Is the above correct ?
Cheers
Paul

I think I may have missed out ‘Press footbrake pedal a few times’ before re-attaching cable, as now the handbrake doesn’t operate at all.

Paul, if you have not pumped the foot brake since winding back the pistons, refitting the pads and reattaching the cables, then yes, the hand brake will not properly work.
But.... I have not come across your method of "resetting" a hand brake like you have described above. The only time you would wind back the pistons is when fitting new pads due to their greater thickness..... As you are using your original part worn ones, there is no need to remove the pads as they are already up against the discs.... So winding back the pistons and pumping the brake pedal is unnecessary.
I take it you have a manual... page K-26 & 27 shows all you have to do to readjust the hand brake.
As a matter of interest, was the hand brake workin before you started your "resetting" procedure ? It might help to know why you decided to check the adjustment in the first place, like were you chasing a specific fault, ie:- say, hand brake working on one wheel only sort of thing ?
John

Doesn't the Citroen method work? Same callipers...

Push foot brake
Pull handbrake
Release footbrake
Release handbrake

Repeat as necessary.

Doesn't the Citroen method work? Same callipers...

Push foot brake
Pull handbrake
Release footbrake
Release handbrake

Repeat as necessary.

you forgot leave in gear

Appears that I must have missed out the step 'press foot pedal down a few times' before re-attaching the handbrake cable. It works fine now - clamps on lovely...

JohnC, this is normal practice for me, as my handbrake mech in the caliper doesn't appear to work or indeed ever has !
Perhaps yours is in better condition and hence doesn't give you problems.

Paul..... can I suggest that the next time you have the rear of the Alp jacked up, having removed the wheels, release the clip holding the rear dust caps on, then peel off the dust caps, and inspect the 5 dished spring washers...... they may be misplaced or rusted away, causing the hand brake operating plunger not to return correctly. You may have to remove some grease in order to get a good view of the washers.
Manual page K-19 pic 74194 shows where the dished washers are..... between a sholder on the HB plunger, and the main piston body, and between all five, they form effectively a strong return spring. Worth checking.