Just replaced the rear shoes in the girlfriends Fabia 1.4HTP, the passengers side shoes were ok, looked like new, but the drivers side ones were worn down about half way, and the leading shoe had almost completely de-bonded from the metal carrier.

I've discovered this is because the handbrake cable is pretty much seized solid on that side, you can just about pull it back to normal position with pliers, but it wont go back itself.

Can anyone advise the procedure for getting the cables in and out of the car? most of it is self explainatory, however the cables enter the car at an odd position underneath and re-appear under the centre console pointing forwards. I cant for the life of me see how you'd get them out, as they *appear* to run under the carpet...

Cheers

Dave.

Maybe time for a Haynes workshop manual - I've only briefly looked at the Polo's cables but I think that they disappear under the plastic undertray and/or exhaust shields before passing through the floorpan just behind the handbrake lever.

Just bought the new cable, unfortunately I dont have a haynes manual, but I think I can see how it should work.

The new cable has a long section on the lever end which doesnt have the outer cable over it, probably about 40cm, so I'm guessing that where the cable enters the car underneath is a sort of tunnel, that bends around by 90 degrees. From what I can gather the cable must be pushed through this and simply re-attached at the lever end, then attached at the brake end.

If I remember then i'll let everyone know how I get on with it.

Cheers, Dave.

P.s, does anyone know a sourse of cheap haynes fabia manuals? ebay only has them for the Fabia2 :(

Just bought the new cable, unfortunately I dont have a haynes manual, but I think I can see how it should work.

P.s, does anyone know a sourse of cheap haynes fabia manuals? ebay only has them for the Fabia2 :(

I'd be very surprised if Mr Haynes has brought out a new manual for the Fabia2 already - someone is telling porkies I think. Just get a local independent motor factor to get you one in - usually they wil be held locally at "his" wholeseller. If not bit the bullet and get one or a Polo 9N one at Halfords (any port in a storm). This Haynes book was written originally for the Fabia and reworked slightly for the Polo 9N.

BTW, you are correct, there is still a channel or tunnel to let things like the exhaust and bits pass from front to rear, if these cars are the same as the previous small VAG ones, then I'd just pass the front of the cable through into the car and "keep it" there using string or tape while sorting out the other end - then secure it at the handbrake end. I take it that you are going to give the levers etc on the shoes a good cleaning up - easing off - spot of copaslip while you have them off to change the cable, as that would sort this out for once and for all - or an least a few years!

Edited 21 August, 200817 yr by rum4mo