Hi,

They talk about buses and all that...

Cambelt needs doing, radiator is leaking and now the handbrake is playing up.

The handbrake requires pulling upto the point where it cannot go any further in order for it to bite on any gradient. I've had a look underneath the cup holder and the adjuster is uneven quite dramatically, with the o/s nearer the front of the car when the handbrake is applied. Ive had a search but not sure if any are exactly related to my issue.

I don't know if anyone can assist. Hopefully is won't be a costly fix as I've got enough to spend with the rad and cambelt changes.

Thanks

Get the hand break sorted like now mate. I left mine to it, the hand break went & the Fabian ended up down the road in a garden. £500 later (no damage to the garden thankfully) towing, new calipers, pads & disks on the rears with fluid change. Hand break fixed and a 2nd hand bumper I am happy again. Just get it sorted mate.:-)

Seized rear calipers i bet, v common and due to age of cars time to change em. i had to do same on my ibiza recently.

With handbrake off both levers should be on the stops on the calipers.

If you need calipers try these people Sabre Auto Spares in Birmingham 0121 430 6333

They sell brand new TRW calipers for £41 each you can see where genuine part number has been removed by TRW

Obviously there not the green ones but from vw there £134 each!

Parts numbers are BHQ 142 for left, BHQ 144 for right.

Wd40 and a pair of caliper return springs from a VAG dealer for under a tenner is worth a try before getting new calipers.

Even if they don't cure your problem you can put the springs on your new calipers when you get them

Wd40 and a pair of caliper return springs from a VAG dealer for under a tenner is worth a try before getting new calipers.

Even if they don't cure your problem you can put the springs on your new calipers when you get them

 

What he said.

Don't get wd40 on the disc/pads!

I had this problem and was due to a seized calliper, had it stripped cleaned and re-built and that cured it but then the other side started playing up! A good spray with brake cleaner and liberal copper greasing sorted it out.

I'm not sure if the fabia's have them already but you can get return helper springs that fit onto the rear calipers to ensure the handbrake fully releases.

One of mine was sticking on so my handbrake was high, kept using wd40 and mole grips to free it off but it kept sticking. Went up the scrappy and got the return springs off a Ford galaxy, freed the calliper off and fitted the springs to both sides and it's worked fine since with a nice firm handbrake so as said try the springs first

Are these the right springs?

 

Right:http://www.skodaparts.com/product/octavia-right-rear-handbrake-spring-50481

Left:http://www.skodaparts.com/product/octavia-right-rear-handbrake-spring-50480

 

Mine started sticking and was freed off at service but will no doubt start sticking again!

7HO 615 295A
7HO 615 296

 

The ones i used mate from TPS not listed as a skoda part tho.

Sounds like you need new brake shoes in the rear.

I have lots of photos - as I just did mine (I will make a guide at some point...) PM me if you want them.

and one of my brake cylinders was sticking, but new shoes was essential.

 

Oops - just noticed you have a vrs - does that mean you have discs all round? In wich case ignore my post. I have drums at the back.

but you may still benefit from new pads.

Edited 17 June, 201412 yr by snaler

Get the hand break sorted like now mate. I left mine to it, the hand break went & the Fabian ended up down the road in a garden. £500 later (no damage to the garden thankfully) towing, new calipers, pads & disks on the rears with fluid change. Hand break fixed and a 2nd hand bumper I am happy again. Just get it sorted mate.:-)

Or leave it in gear if you think your hand brake is a bit dodgy!

Or leave it in gear if you think your hand brake is a bit dodgy!

I didnt have any indication that it was dodgy. It was tight. I now leave it in gear, it's a habit now!

Ah I see, I thought you meant that you already knew it was funny.