Hi, just replaced my rear brakes, put the spring mod on at the same time as the passenger one was dragging. The handbrake was non existent before hand. It was literally to the top (90deg) and still not remotely holding it. 

Initially it self-adjusted up and felt good. Now a few weeks in its getting gradually higher and higher again. The first 4-6 clicks do nothing. When it is on it creaks and doesn't fully hold. 

 

My question is what needs doing. Handbrake cable or something else. Im hoping its not a calliper. The left disk seems to have bedded in more than the right, but is not any hotter after a run.

 

Thanks for your help.

Maybe all you can do now is check that the levers are just touching the stops when the handbrake handle is down, then check if there is any free movement on the handle(cable) as maybe in your frustration you have stretched the cable and now it needs adjusting.  As it initially seemed to work okay, the adjusters in the callipers must have worked okay - but now --- ?

Knackered caliper I would think.

The Spring mod doesn't really fix the issue,it can make it better,but not fix it.

As above,look at the handbrake arm on the caliper that's not cleaning up the disk properly and you will prob find the arm is not returning to the stop,this then stops the caliper auto adjusting.

If you don't want to replace the caliper you will need to push the handbrake arm fully off onto the stop about once a month so the self adjusting mech works correctly.

Will it work better if I clean them up a bit better?

 

The side that doesn't seem to be cleaning the fresh disk when I had it apart was easier to push back, whereas the other side was heating up before I did the rears, and it was a bit more work to wind it back. The cover was a bit twisted up on that side as well.

 

Im up to 7 clicks to stop it moving now.

 

Is it worth adjusting the handbrake cable in the car, or will that not have the right effect. Its still even when I looked earlier, so I dont think the cable has snapped.

No adjusting the cable will Deffo stop the handbrake arms on the calipers returning to the fully off position,so they Deffo will not auto adjust then.

You could try cleaning and lubing around the handbrake arms,but in reality you need a new caliper/s.

With the handbrake off knock the handbrake arms onto the stops then press your foot on the brake pedal hard a few times,then see if your handbrake is better.

Just gone out and wd40'd the handbrake arms. Both were a complete git to move and weren't returning. I could barely squeeze them (I did have the springs on but they weren't returning either way). 10 minutes and some sore dirty fingers later and they move nice and freely now. Hopefully should solve it. If not. I'll keep wd40'ing them un oil they give in. The price of callipers (green) versus normal is ridiculous. That is expensive green paint.

Thanks for the assist.

Still causing issues, vibration through the pedal when braking, handbrake becoming a bit less useful. Squeezed the lever, bit better again. Might be new callipers after all.

Does anyone know if the 2011 fabia vrs brakes fit the mk1. They seem identical in the pics, found a pair cheap that I can get painted and refurbed.

I've had a very similar issue. I've recent added the spring mod to both rear calipers. Now the foot brake hits the floor on first applications, seconds applications its fine. This happens everytime I brake!

 

I recently changed my discs and pads all round, and had no dramas since. But now I've adjusted my handbrake cables and added these springs, the foot brake is dangerous.

 

Has anyone experienced this themselves, or does anyone know what I may have done wrong, or not done?

 

No caliper has been hydraulically disconnected. And there are no leaks.

 

Before adjusting the cables, I pumped the pedal, but couldn't hold the pedal down.

The spring mod can't have made the footbrake hit the floor,as all the spring does is make sure the handbrake mech is fully returned/off.

Can you take a pic of the rear of caliper showing the spring and the handbrake mech with the handbrake off?

Edited 7 October, 20169 yr by coskev

I'd suggest the the spring mod has caused the badly adjusted rear pads to move too far away from the disk so that on first application of the foot brake it has to move the pads closer to the disk thus using up the pedal travel. On second application the pads are closer so the brakes will work.

 

Check rear pads are close to the disk when the handbrake is off.

Also, if the above were true, the handbrake hand lever would pull all the way up and still not "lock" the rear wheels - is that happening?

I'd suggest the the spring mod has caused the badly adjusted rear pads to move too far away from the disk so that on first application of the foot brake it has to move the pads closer to the disk thus using up the pedal travel. On second application the pads are closer so the brakes will work.

 

Check rear pads are close to the disk when the handbrake is off.

The spring only pushes on the external handbrake mech arm,no way it can do what you suggest as the pads are held out by the brake fluid