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

[dontbelieveawordofit]

the problem lies with the mechanism on the caliper. common fault.
they sieze and fail to return to their rest position making it appear the cables are faulty. you need the soak the pivot mechanism in penetrating oil and work it back and fore with a mole grip.
the bodged return spring someone has manufactured on the caliper isnt helping.

 

[DIYspanner]

the problem lies with the mechanism on the caliper. common fault.
they sieze and fail to return to their rest position making it appear the cables are faulty. you need the soak the pivot mechanism in penetrating oil and work it back and fore with a mole grip.
the bodged return spring someone has manufactured on the caliper isnt helping.

If its any use, similar with the calipers on our Bora TDIs.

I took the handbrake parts of the calipers, unbolted/removed the calipers, turned them so the handbrake spindle in the caliper was pointing up, removed the seal, then poured some silicon gun oil on the spindle and worked it so the oil ran down and worked into the spindle bore. Also wire brushed and greased the lever and cable bracket before reassembly. Handbrake now works well.

 

[Rightboy91]

If its any use, similar with the calipers on our Bora TDIs.

I took the handbrake parts of the calipers, unbolted/removed the calipers, turned them so the handbrake spindle in the caliper was pointing up, removed the seal, then poured some silicon gun oil on the spindle and worked it so the oil ran down and worked into the spindle bore. Also wire brushed and greased the lever and cable bracket before reassembly. Handbrake now works well.

I got the spindle free today using electrical cleaner, I used a screwdriver at first under spindle not realising that there was a rubber boot under there I hope I not damaged anything ti doesn't seem so.

 

[HERTS P&D]

DRIVE IT! DRIVE IT! DRIVE IT!

But don't park on any hills!!!



Andy

 

[Rightboy91]

the problem lies with the mechanism on the caliper. common fault.
they sieze and fail to return to their rest position making it appear the cables are faulty. you need the soak the pivot mechanism in penetrating oil and work it back and fore with a mole grip.
the bodged return spring someone has manufactured on the caliper isnt helping.

Hi, I got the spindle free and the mechanism works as it should springing back and forth. those return springs what are they for exactly ? I have got it on but it is bent out of shape a bit, does that matter ?

I really need to sort out the handbrake cable now, can these self adjusting cables on the vectras be manually adjusted ?

 

[HERTS P&D]

can these self adjusting cables on the vectras be manually adjusted ?

Yes, you need to do some hand brake turns.

Andy

 

[Rightboy91]

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

hi burnerman, I freed the spindle today using electric cleaner. I put a screwdriver under the spindle thinking it may be rust or something stopping it from springing back and I hadn't realised there is a rubber boot under there. I hope I haven't damaged anything by doing that ?

Now the wheel on the opposite side has also locked up with cable applied, so it seems both cables are seized. can these self adjusting cables on the vectras be adjusted manfully ? I hear mix responses. I am trying to remove center console but something is keeping it in although I am sure I removed everything there is remove to gain access to it . cables on both side appear to slide back and forth without any problems.

thansk

 

[Rightboy91]

Yes, you need to do some hand brake turns.

Andy

oh my god, what is the deal with you ?!

 

[HERTS P&D]

oh my god, what is the deal with you ?!

What is the deal with you trying to fix that death trap of yours, take it to a garage FFS!!!

Andy

 

[Rightboy91]

What is the deal with you trying to fix that death trap of yours, take it to a garage FFS!!!

Andy

I have asked you in the past to give me a reason as to why you have labelled it a death trap several times, name one reason why you think it is so ? Know you only come to my threads to criticise and spam and you come to my threads knowing damn well you aren't going to give any helpful advice , so again, why do you bother ?

 

[HERTS P&D]

Brakes! also front wheel bearing!

 

[DIYspanner]

Just an opinion but I wouldn't use electrical cleaner because that would impair any lubricant present.

Any chance of a photo of the back of the caliper after the work you've done?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

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.

If it is fine without a working handbrake, then why might you think one is a legal requirement for every vehicle on the road.

That handbrake operating arm in the caliper is seized up. It should operate a cam inside the caliper and easily spring back to the off position when the handbrake is released.

Unhook one side of the handbrake at the wheel and neither side will work, because there is a balance or equaliser lever at some location in the vehicle. That balance the braking force of the handbrake between the two sides of the car.

The dribble of diesel might fix it temporary, but longer term it needs a new caliper - it should not be taken on the road until it is repaired.

 

[Rightboy91]

Just an opinion but I wouldn't use electrical cleaner because that would impair any lubricant present.

Any chance of a photo of the back of the caliper after the work you've done?

Hi thanks
I will take a photo tomorrow and upload it here. what do you advise I should have used to spray it with ?

Everything was ok after I changed the calipers pads and discs and it got throguh mot no problem, Afterwards not really knowing wehat I was doing I undiud handbrake cable to try make handbrake tighter ( not sure why i undid it ) and it was from then that the problems started. now I have the mot for it in 8 weeks and need to sort out handbrake.

I just want to know can these vectra self adjusting handbrakes be adjusted manually ?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

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

Bowden cable do not stretch, they are too hard to stretch - they just break.