Right guys basically my handbrake on my car is non existent... doesnt hold the car at all... i always need to leave it in gear... any idea what could cause this... i replaced the pads around 5-10k miles ago hoping it would solve the problem but it hasnt... any ideas :confused:

New cable or it may just need adjusting

New cable or it may just need adjusting

cable is fine i think... you adjust it near the rear can holder dont you :confused: ive done this too... handbrake is nice and tight around 4 clicks

Does the hand brake lever come up a fair way?

I'd be checking when applied the lever on the caliper itself has moved around fully.

You shouldnt really need to adjust the cable that much if at all on a disc brake model.

Im thinking a problem with the caliper itself or seized pads.

cable is fine i think... you adjust it near the rear can holder dont you :confused: ive done this too... handbrake is nice and tight around 4 clicks

There is something on the back of it from memory. But I suspect the entire centre trim surround has to come off (remove ashtray, 2 x torx - remove pocket right on the back, 2 more torx) One clip under handbrake and it slides off (need to unclip gearbox gaitor surround too)

Is this something which has come on over time?

There is something on the back of it from memory. But I suspect the entire centre trim surround has to come off (remove ashtray, 2 x torx - remove pocket right on the back, 2 more torx) One clip under handbrake and it slides off (need to unclip gearbox gaitor surround too)

Is this something which has come on over time?

yeah i just adjusted it recently you only need to remove the rear ashtray and 2 screws and with the help of a handy ratchet 10mm spanner you can tighten it... has been crud for quite a while now... possibly ever since ive got it (25k) but since as im on my hols im trying to sort out the niggles :rofl:

Did you fully reset the piston handbrake screws by winding back before you fitted the new pads? Also do the handbrake levers fully return to their stops when the handbrake is fully "off"?

Here's something I quickly knocked up in MS Paint for you!

Did you fully reset the piston handbrake screws by winding back before you fitted the new pads? Also do the handbrake levers fully return to their stops when the handbrake is fully "off"?

fully reset?? lol no idea bud... just used a caliper rewind tool so theyre was enough room for the pads... copper slipped the back of the pads too :confused:

mmm Taxi for Jase :rofl:

Not much point in coper slipping the backs, did you do the edges?

Not much point in coper slipping the backs, did you do the edges?

ahhh :confused: not a bad idea that

however the problem was theyre before i changed the pads as that was my main reason for changing them as they were low so thought they were the problem

what make of pads have you fitted ?

genuine, spurious or performance

what make of pads have you fitted ?

genuine, spurious or performance

Just standard Feroddo ones

if you have rusty lips on the inner and outer disc edges , the pads may not of even bedded in properly yet , hence not touching the full surface of the disc = lack of handbrake

plus check the pads aren't sticking in the bracket and the caliper slides are free

also make sure the caliper handbrake levers are free and in the fully off position, when handbrake released (chock wheels accordingly)

Mine were the same after I had the rear discs and pads replaced about 8k ago with Mintex OEM replacements.

The handbrake would only seem to engage on the one side, and took about 8 clicks on a mild incline.

When it went in for service, the mechanic took the rear calipers apart and refitted the brakes. He said that the drivers side was sticking very slightly and there wasnt a lot you could do aside from a new caliper, but he said the sticking was so minimal it wasnt really worth worrying about.

All was fine for a few months, both sides engaged and it only took 4-5 clicks on a steep hill to engage, and it held. This was in June.

Now over the past month one side does not engage again, and it again needs 8 clicks to hold even on a mild hill.

On very steep hills the handbrake does not work and it rolls backwards.