Technical Any body know rufly how much it cost to repair the handbreak?

[Jakeyboy09]

Punto MK2 2001:

I think the cables have snapped, Theirs no tension on the handbreak at all.

How much does it cost to repair at a garage?

Thanks Jake.

 

[DaveMcT]

Get all 4 brakes serviced and fit a new handbrake cable. If its got rear drums fit new hand brake levers on the drums. They tend to distort with age so folks overstrain the handbrake cable.

Avoid Kwikfit etc and you should spend no more than 2 or three hours labour.

 

[bredsticz]

Check the cables themselves first, can get easy access to them from the tray just behind the handbrake, take it off and there they are!

 

[Jakeyboy09]

cheers mate will have a look now

 

[MikeSalt]

It's a DIY job, no need to go anywhere near a garage. Check that it is one of the cables by removing the cover as described, and then check back and we'll talk you through it (jack and axle stands or ramps required).

EDIT: Just spotted it's a mk2, should be similarly easy but I'm not an expert on them.

 

[Jakeyboy09]

Cheers for the help,
Will check tommorow after work to see if a cable has snapped will it be obvious? e.g. could i spot it when i look under the hand break?

Also is their 4 diffrent cables for each tyre? or just 1 that operates them all?

And could it be anything else other than cables?

Had this car just over 1months so far:

BOTH windscreen wipers broke:bang: (FIXED)
BOTH Headlights broke:bang: (FIXED)
And now the handbrake has broke

LOL not a good start.

Cheers for the help so far.

 

[DaveMcT]

Cheers for the help,
Will check tommorow after work to see if a cable has snapped will it be obvious? e.g. could i spot it when i look under the hand break?

Also is their 4 diffrent cables for each tyre? or just 1 that operates them all?

And could it be anything else other than cables?

Had this car just over 1months so far:

BOTH windscreen wipers broke:bang: (FIXED)
BOTH Headlights broke:bang: (FIXED)
And now the handbrake has broke

LOL not a good start.

Cheers for the help so far.

Well done on the wipers but please get the brakes done professionally. Its not expensive and with your level of experience (see bold) its really not worth the risk.

 

[DaveMcT]

Cheers for the help,
Will check tommorow after work to see if a cable has snapped will it be obvious? e.g. could i spot it when i look under the hand break?

Also is their 4 diffrent cables for each tyre? or just 1 that operates them all?

And could it be anything else other than cables?

Had this car just over 1months so far:

BOTH windscreen wipers broke:bang: (FIXED)
BOTH Headlights broke:bang: (FIXED)
And now the handbrake has broke

LOL not a good start.

Cheers for the help so far.

Well done on the wipers etc, but please get the brakes done professionally. Its not expensive and with your level of experience (see bold) its really not worth the risk.

 

[tim1989]

new handbrake cable fitted is around £150

 

[DaveMcT]

£150 is cheap if it avoids a crash; though I guess the brakes would be extra to that. If its got rear drums also get new levers fitted at the brake end as they tend to get sprained.

 

[bredsticz]

So long as the brakes are tested and working fine after a DIY job it should be fine though. 1st job I ever did on a car was on brakes.
Its 2 cables BTW running from the handbrake toward the back of the car, if one has snapped there will be no tension in it. May just need adjusting if the pads have been worn alot since it was last adjusted, may need new pads. Or cable could have just stretched. Check the pads and cables anyway and report back

 

[Captain Mike]

rufly:doh::shakehead:

 

[DaveMcT]

So long as the brakes are tested and working fine after a DIY job it should be fine though. 1st job I ever did on a car was on brakes.
Its 2 cables BTW running from the handbrake toward the back of the car, if one has snapped there will be no tension in it. May just need adjusting if the pads have been worn alot since it was last adjusted, may need new pads. Or cable could have just stretched. Check the pads and cables anyway and report back

Come on Im not trying to dis the OP, but he is clearly very inexperienced at any sort of car maintenance. How is he supposed to test his brakes without killing himself or worse killing someone else (like me)?

He should not touch the brakes until he at least knows how many wheels the hand brake works upon and quite probably the difference between a screwdriver and a spanner.

Jake,
Get a pro on the brakes (not KwikFit etc) and we will help you with the basics. Get a Haynes manual and some proper tools then start with servicing the engine. Then you'll appreciate how complex things can be especially if you have not done this stuff before.

 

[bredsticz]

Fair enough i get your point. Although i always tested my brakes while it was still on axle stands or jacked up. If you can't turn the wheel yourself with abit of effort with the brakes appiled then ok, but if you can turn it then obviously don't drive it, somethings wrong!

 

[DaveMcT]

Hi Bred, that's (sort of) OK if you know how many wheels the hand brake works on.

Sometimes you just "know" when something's not a good idea. This post made my hair stand on end.