The only handbrake adjustment on these cars is in fact in the rear wheel drums! there are two cam auto adjusters that need resetting to their original positions or replacing.it's a fiddly job at the best of times and can take some time if the brake drums haven't been off for a while. the same applies for most escorts.
There is however a cover that goes over the cables with an adjuster but if you need to adjust from here there must be another problem.
chris
December 2005