Recently had my brake fluid changed by the dealers.

Now when applying the hand brake the lever is nice and firm and comes up about 3-4 clicks. But if the hand brake is off and I stamp on the brake pedal and then apply the handbrake, the lever is no longer firm and comes up alot further.

Dont remember it doing this in the past.

Ideas?

Cheers

Makes no sense to me. I find that applying the hb with the hydraulics on is a good way of adjusting it when I think it's got too much travel.

Assuming the hand brake is cable operated, the pads will clamp the disc for a given number of clicks. The foot brake (being hydraulic) can apply more pressure to clamp the disc which means that the hand brake cable is slacker at the same number of clicks and can travel further.

In fact, in the Mondeo manual, they recommend depressing the brake pedal before putting the handbrake on and I think I've seen that advice on here to help prevent cars rolling when just held on the handbrake?

Chris

That all makes sense, which is why applying the handbrake with the footbrake on adjusts it tighter.

Cheers guys. Just seems strange as its never done it before. Its like it goes from 3 click to say 12.

12 clicks is way too many anyway.

12 clicks does seem a lot. Does applying the handbrake without touching the brake pedal hold the car firmly (ie if you try and drive off)?

Chris

sure does. One point turns work fine Ok may not be 12 but its alot .

On mine I reckon I can get 1 or 2 more clicks with the footbrake on (although I'll try that when I get in the car to double check ).... So it just had a fluid change and nothing else?

Chris

i'm just guessing here , but you may have a faulty rear caliper , there maybe something sticking inside either of the calipers , does seem very odd to have exess travel in the cable when the brake is depressed

Right. Apply handbrake = 3clicks and it rock hard.

stamp foot brake = 6 clicks

6 clicks is still fine.

having tried it over the weekend , it seems mine does the same thing , 2-3 clicks to just pull up handbrake , then 5-6 clicks if brake applied then handbrake pulled up , so your "fault" it seems , isn't one

That range seems like "normal operation" to me. Remember that you've taken all the free movement out of the brakes when you use the footbrake, and can probably push the rear brakes harder (presuming ABS and not just a rear line limiter) with the hydraulics than with the handbrake cable.