Hi there,

Does anyone have any tips for freeing off the handbrake mechanism/ lever on the rear calipers? The cable is pulling the lever, but it's not moving far enough, hence no handbrake on that side. Have tried WD40 and hitting the lever forward with a hammer and block of wood - didn't move.

This is the second time it's happened in a few months. Is there any way of avoiding the problem in future?

Many thanks

sounds like the ratchet on the caliper has siezed up by the way you described it in your post

You should take the calliper off its carrier (mounting) and clean up everything and rewind the piston, then refit it all, making sure that you or some one else has not shortened the cable as well. The lever(s) when the handbrake "handle" is down, should sit or almost sit on the back stop cast into the calliper. Probably just clean up both sides while you are at it, if it fixes things then do the usual boring return spring mod to keep it working. Obviously if this work makes no difference then you need to spend some money! Remember, after refitting every thing, carry out the correct procedure to get the handbrake to adjust back up correctly, I can't remember the order of doing things right now, but its probably > pump out the pistons by pressing the brake pedal, hold pedal down, apply the handbrake a few times - handbrake now correctly adjusted, if travel is now too long adjust cable - but as I hinted at earlier, make sure that the cable is initially not limiting the lever movement.

if it's the rear offside then it's a common fault on them, i've just installed a new caliper after i kept freeing it up for the last 12 months. loving the handbrake working properly now!

if it's the rear offside then it's a common fault on them, i've just installed a new caliper after i kept freeing it up for the last 12 months. loving the handbrake working properly now!

Or maybe just cleaning it up and fitting an external springs would have worked, that is what I did, VW wanted to change it under waranty - I did not want them to work on the car or to suffer being without it for an extra day, and yes, like most, its the O/S one that had started to cause trouble.

I had this problem after layiing Furby up for a few months. Turned out to be the rivet on the shoes. At touch of WD40 ,and a bit of work made it come clean . Not had any problems since . I was the OS that caused problems. .

I had this problem after layiing Furby up for a few months. Turned out to be the rivet on the shoes. At touch of WD40 ,and a bit of work made it come clean . Not had any problems since . I was the OS that caused problems. .

Yes, but the Op's car has disc brakes on the rear.

Yes, but the Op's car has disc brakes on the rear.

WOOPS, never looked at that. Sorry if I've intrudd on a vrs only forum .