Hi all,

 

for some reason my handbrake will not hold my car when on a slight gradient.

 

the car has had brakes all around done by a garage whom adjusted the handbrake to suit when the brakes were done.

 

about 6 weeks ago i had not grab on the handbrake at all and could literally lean slightly on my car and it moved (both directions) so i tightened the cable up, which solved my issue (held after 3-4 clicks) 

 

now all of a sudden the cable has slack and not grabbing again. would this now be because the cable has stretched? new cable time? brakes have been checked by a mechanic who described the pads and disks as 'nearly new'

 

if its a new cable job, would it be something easy enough to do with the knowhow and tools or would it be better going to a garage? (i have a good knowledge on the mechanical side of cars and have access to a ramp and good tools) 

 

cheers 

 

Ryan

Suspect arms on calipers which cable pulls on are sticking down and not returning when handbrake released. This causes the slack in the cable, which unfortunately if you adjust at the lever makes the problem worse. If the mechanism doesn't return fully the caliper cannot adjust properly.

Ah right. So what would I need to do to fix the issue?

Ryan

First loosen both cable adjusters at lever right off. Have a look at rear calipers and see if levers on calipers have returned fully. If lever not fully returned, unhook cable from lever. Operate lever by hand and see if it returns. If it returns ok it's probably cable beginning to seize up, new cables required. If lever still sticks its a caliper problem. I have had some success previously spraying freeing oil on the lever pivot and moving it till it frees off. If it does not free off then your looking at caliper replacement.

Although I seem to remember retrofitting return springs from an Audi A3 although I could be wrong.

I think Rainworth Skoda still sell the return springs on their EBay page.

Would it be easier to replace both to eliminate future issues?

Ryan

Would it be easier to replace both to eliminate future issues?

Ryan

 

Would be a better job if both calipers are originals

If it's the cables change both, if it's the calipers they sometimes free off but replacing them will eliminate future issues. Depends how deep your pockets are. GSF and Euro sell decent quality calipers on an exchange basis.

Currently not very :(

I have access to a ramp next week so will whip the rear wheels off and have a look. Any tell tale signs somethings not how it should be?

Ryan

Yes the lever which the cable hooks into on the caliper will be pulled down all the time.

When the handbrake is off the levers should return upwards fully till they rest on the stop