Car handbrake cable loose where it attaches to the brake caliper and not holding the car. video inc

[Rightboy91]

Yes, I understand what you are saying, but it's an offence to knowingly drive an unroadworthy vehicle. I appreciate your desire to get it fixed soonest and hopefully you'll be able to do that.

me too, so therefore can you offer my some advice on things I should be checking to correct this issue ? that is what I made the thread for. thanks

 

[EddieM]

me too, so therefore can you offer my some advice on things I should be checking to correct this issue ? that is what I made the thread for. thanks

There are others much better placed on here to offer advice, my knowledge doesn't really extend much beyond refuelling and tyre inflation.

 

[Rightboy91]

The lever that the cable locates to.....it’s stuck so get some pliers and see if you can yank the lever right back to its stop - it won’t perform any other way.
I suspect you need a replacement caliper here.
John

I think it is called a spindle. it is supposed to spring forward and back I could try some wd40 on it and try loosen it up. the calipers were replaced a few months ago.

thanks Burnerman

 

[Rightboy91]

Only if you really can’t get or can’t afford a new one. Don’t mess about, You can probably get a new one for less than £20.

are you referring to he cables ? it might be £20 fir new one but it is the hassle of changing the cables

 

[EddieM]

are you referring to he cables ? it might be £20 fir new one but it is the hassle of changing the cables

The old ones might be stretched and therefore more likely to snap.

 

[Rightboy91]

The rear cable between both cables is a single cable. If you have disconnected the cable on one side, it will be loose/will not work on the other side. If one caliper is sticking on with the cable connected, it’s because something is not releasing. You probably need to fit a new rear handbrake cable and you may also need a caliper but try the cable first. Can you operate the sticky caliper lever with your hand and does it move freely back? If not, it’s the caliper. Until you have done this and can show a picture of the new cable fitted, I won’t be giving you any further advice on this car that aids you driving it on the road. Sorry, but Andy is right - if you can’t fix it, get it off the road. You are breaking the law and endangering others by knowingly driving a vehicle on the road with faulty brakes.

Hello Motto.

I am sure there are 2 cables, a left and a right ?? I disconnected the cable on one side months ago and the handbrake still worked on the opposite side for a few months further. I don't understand what you mean by sticky caliper, I think the brakes overheating is related to handbrake as when it is attached it happens. the cables move back and forth freely by hand I can only test this after disconnecting the cables from the calipers otherwise I cannot pull the cables as the are attached.

The brake discs and brake pads on the front and rear are new they do a brilliant job at stopping the car, the issue here is the handbrake. the car is fine being on the road without working handbrake as I use extreme caution, I do not currently park anywhere with the car on a hill or incline and I leave it in gear when I park there is no problem with the car being on the road and no danger of it rolling as it is always kept on level ground and in gear.

 

[Burnerman]

If the calipers have been replaced recently it’s most unlikely that they are faulty.....with the cable off you should be able to move the lever by hand a short way and it must spring back.
Therefore it would seem to be a cable problem - don’t faff with it, fit a new one.
John

 

[Lower]

Oh my God !!

Can You offer me some advice please as it is what I am asking for and stop criticising me, thank you.

After I disconnected the cable on the opposite side because the wheel would lock and overheat the brakes the handbrake worked on the opposite side for a while. now it doesn't. so after disconnecting the cable on the other side it didn't affect the other cable at least not until a few month after according to what you say about it affecting other side.

A bit of help to what my first steps to correcting this would be good.

Don't drive it until you've fixed it.

https://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showthread.php?178521-Rear-wheel-getting-warm-caliper-sticking/page2

 

[Rightboy91]

The old ones might be stretched and therefore more likely to snap.

the car has covered over 203 thousand miles and is 13 years old. If the cables have never been changed I am sure they're on borrowed time. but, if I can sort this without changing the cables than I'd rather have it that way.

After I changed the rear discs and pads and calipers the handbrake was fine even passing the mot. then I disconnected a cable because I wanted it a little bit tighter. ( not sure why i undid cable ) and from then if the cable is attached the brakes on that side overheat and smoke. it was fine until then.

I am told the cables are self adjusting and am getting mixed replies as to whether they can be manually adjusted or not

thanks

 

[Rightboy91]

If the calipers have been replaced recently it’s most unlikely that they are faulty.....with the cable off you should be able to move the lever by hand a short way and it must spring back.
Therefore it would seem to be a cable problem - don’t faff with it, fit a new one.
John

Yes they were only replaced a few months ago, both of them. The lever is not springing back but I should be able to free it up with wd40, right ? yes I know it is a cable problem I am told the cable has likely seized. that is the advice I have been asking for. can they be adjusted ? some people say yes and others say no as they are self adjusting.

thanks

 

[HERTS P&D]

Yes they were only replaced a few months ago, both of them.

Did you replace them? that will explain why they don't work.

Take your car to a professionail or someone who knows what to do.!

Or scrap it!!!

Andy

 

[Burnerman]

The handbrake cable is in one piece, pulled in the centre by the handbrake lever. The inner cable slides over a quadrant in the centre which gives an even pull on each wheel.
Once adjusted it doesn’t need to be touched for years normally so they don’t normally self adjust.
Pop a new cable on and you’ll be delighted with the smooth action it will have.
John

 

[DIYspanner]

If you purchased the calipers new and only a few months ago, they should still have warranty. Seems weird though if they've both failed after a few months of service.

Does the footbrake work on these calipers?

With the cables removed, can you operate the caliper handbrake lever and apply the handbrake?

As others have said, the handbrake is also the emergency brake should the footbrake fail although all the brakes must be in FULL working order before the car is driven on the road.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Hope this helps:

Scrap a Car with Redcorn

1. Get your valuation
2. Submit Details

Select Make and Model required
Valuation
£175.00
If your happy with the valuation of £175.00 click proceed.

If your vehicle is 2014 or newer you could be entitled up to an additional £300. Please call us on 0800 633 5653

 

[DIYspanner]

An option to consider.

Call a mobile mechanic and ask them to visit and give you an appraisal of whether all the repairs they deem necessary are worth doing for the value of the car.