Hi all,

On my fabia vrs one cable is longer than the other, I thought one stretched so I got two more (left cable, and right cable) and one is still longer.

Why is this?

I can't tighten it so the handbrake is fully on at 3 clicks because the shorter side is constantly on when I tighten it so the left hand side is tight enough.

Any ideas?

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The handbrake probably isn't dead centre in the car.

 

if I had to guess I would imagine the cable going to the N/S caliper is slightly longer.

Rear beam misaligned or bent?

I'd think that none of the above are any way near the mark - I think all this points to a seized or partially seized handbrake mechanism on the O/S calliper. Strip down each side and fully retract the pistons and start again, but this time leave the handbrake cable a bit too loose until the pistons have found their correct current positions.

 

I've just read your other thread on this issue, surely your mechanic friend checked the action of the handbrake levers when he initially looked at this, then cleaned up and fully retracted the pistons - if so, some thing strange is really going on!

Edited 17 January, 201412 yr by rum4mo

I'd think that none of the above are any way near the mark - I think all this points to a seized or partially seized handbrake mechanism on the O/S calliper. Strip down each side and fully retract the pistons and start again, but this time leave the handbrake cable a bit too loose until the pistons have found their correct current positions.

 

I've just read your other thread on this issue, surely your mechanic friend checked the action of the handbrake levers when he initially looked at this, then cleaned up and fully retracted the pistons - if so, some thing strange is really going on!

if one cable is longer than the other so you go buy 2 new cables and one is still longer than the other then i would imagine devon utopia is right and the cables are meant to be like that as one has to go further than the other??

but yes surely the mechanic checked the calipers and cables during the diagnosis ?

My Dad has this problem contiually on his 53 plate Fabia, the cable isn`t stretched we`ve checked it, stripped it down numerous times ,cleaned out but it keeps happening.Just a crap design I think.

I had this recently and discovered that the bit that the handbrake cable pulls to put the brake calliper on had seized up on one side and had restricted movement.

To set the handbrake...

Chock wheels.

Release handbrake.

Back off handbrake adjuster nut until the caliper levers are sitting on the stops.

Press the brake pedal hard 4-5 times.

Pull and release handbrake 3 times.

Tighten adjuster nut until both caliper levers are 1-3mm off the stops.

Pull and release handbrake 3 times.

Check that the brakes are not binding.