Handbrake repairs

Sorting common faults.

The mechanically-operated handbrake or parking brake can be a frustrating element of a vehicle’s braking system. Most motorists only discover there’s a problem when the vehicle fails the MOT or it’s subjected to a hill-start. Stretched or poorly adjusted cables and worn or seized brake components are some of the causes of an inadequate handbrake. However, we’ve come across many vehicles where the handbrake’s performance is poor, no matter how new and correctly adjusted its components are.

Most mechanical handbrake systems consist of a lever inside the car and cables leading to the rear brakes, where either a pair of brake shoes lock a drum/disc or a brake caliper has a mechanical system to lock the rear brake discs. There are some exceptions, such as Land Rovers that lock the diff or transfer box and some Citroëns and Alfa Romeos that lock the front brakes, but the majority of handbrakes work on the rear brakes. Electronic handbrakes are another category, whereby an electronicallyoperated brake caliper locks a brake disc.

Maintenance and adjustment of a mechanically-operated handbrake can seem like a dark art in some cases, with disappointing results. Too little adjustment can have no effect on locking the respective road wheels, whereas too much can result in the handbrake dragging on the brakes, which can overheat them and do further

damage. And there are lots of potential problems, including seized cables and adjusters, warped drums and pistons that refuse to retract.

The following pages provide a general guide to many of the common problems and how to fix them, along with general advice on routine maintenance.

When working on brakes, safety is critically important. Brake dust, for instance, can be harmful, especially if you have respiratory problems, so wear a breathing mask and don’t leave drinks or food nearby. Always check the brakes are working before test-driving a vehicle.