I was outside just now re-attaching a door seal which had started to come off of the car, and decided to take a quick look underneath the car by pure chance.

I saw this curved piece of metal hanging freely from around the rear nearside. It seemed to just be caught on a bit of the underbody and that's the only reason it was hanging there.

I lifted it out so it didn't fly away at some point, but (as someone that understands almost nothing about cars) what actually is it? And, more importantly, should I get someone to put it back where I found it? 😅

It's a support for the handbrake cable. There should be another one on the other side if you want a pattern to look at when you're refitting it

12 minutes ago, StevesTruck said:

It's a support for the handbrake cable. There should be another one on the other side if you want a pattern to look at when you're refitting it

Thanks. That'll help to explain why it started rolling back a little when I parked it a few mins ago.

I think I'll have to ask the garage to replace the cables and drums next time I go based on how stretched the cable already is.

9 minutes ago, davwheat said:

I think I'll have to ask the garage to replace the cables and drums

Cables yes absolutely. Drums why? Brake shoes maybe, depending on wear.

Just now, Paws4Thot said:

Cables yes absolutely. Drums why? Brake shoes maybe, depending on wear.

From what I was told, there was previously the wrong sized drums fitted to the car. I probably misunderstood that both would need to be replaced and it would just the cables, which makes sense thinking of it.

Just now, davwheat said:

From what I was told, there was previously the wrong sized drums fitted to the car. I probably misunderstood that both would need to be replaced and it would just the cables, which makes sense thinking of it.

Different size drums just plain wouldn't work without correct shoes for the new drum size.

1 hour ago, Paws4Thot said:

Different size drums just plain wouldn't work without correct shoes for the new drum size.

I don't think it's impossible that it was fitted with the wrong parts many years ago, then corrected later with the handbrake cable not being replaced.

Really, I should look through all the service history to see if I can see any indication of it.