Technical Hand brake cable replacement (no braking on the left side)

[Zardo]

Hi folks,

My handbrake isn't tightening progressively when I pull the lever. When I changed the wheels and put my set of winter tyres on, I also found out that, using the hand brake, there is no braking action on the rear left disk, only on the right side.

I removed the cover and found this (the left side cable is the upper one in the image, the one closer to the lever):

Here in this view, the left side cable is the lower one in the image:

I tried pulling manually on both wires but a difference in tension between left and right wasn't evident to me. I didn't disconnect the cables, maybe it would have been more evident then.

What could be the cause, can the cable slip where it is connected with the rear brake hydraulics (or is its action purely mechanical?) Maybe the cable has ruptured, but if so, why is there tension present?

Any ideas? Several years ago, a set of brake disks were replaced by an official Fiat garage, but I don't remember if it was front or rear. To my knowledge, there has never been any work on the handbrake or its cables (I bought the car new in 2011).

I have already ordered a left-side cable, but I still need to get an appointment to rent a hydraulic platform in a DIY-garage.

Thanks

 

[There all puntos]

When you operate the rear discs by cable (the handbrake) does the cable (at the lever on the disc caliper) move any? Maybe the holder has fallen off/ failed or failed on the beam axle arm the cable is on?

Had a similar thing happen on my Fiat Stilo, but the worm driving the piston had failed, so had to buy reconditioned calipers (no sense in replacing one side) as it would have made the rear brake bias out of balance. And easier to replace both calipers, than try to rebuild them (did try, failed, still have one replacement kit, complete with seal and worm/ piston/circlip). And the one I did manage to do, failed on me (it jammed on) during its MOT

All adjustments are done inside, and both side of the inside compensator should be level.

Or it might have failed as it goes through the floor? It takes two people to check a brake system. The cable can be quite easily replaced from the ground, using a hydraulic jack, with decent lift and normal chassis stands.

Can't do anything now as it's brass monkeys out.

 

[Zardo]

I made a video.

The left-hand cable is still attached but it makes sudden cracking noises, and when it does that, the tension gives. There is some residual manual braking power on the right side, but basically nothing on the left side.

Also, it‘s almost as if the left-hand cable has become longer since the balancer plate is no longer perpendicular to both cables.



Any ideas?

Thanks

EDIT: I asked ChatGPT.

The most likely fault is a failure in the self-adjusting mechanism inside the left rear caliper. This could cause the lever to lose its ability to apply sufficient force to the piston, leading to slack in the cable and an uneven balancer plate. Disassembling and inspecting the caliper will provide a definitive answer.

Maybe it‘s better to simply replace both calipers and brake pads and both cables with new parts, and replace the brake fluid, too, while at it? Basically, just throw a huge pile of cash at it?

I found these links:

Rear left calipera: https://www.bremboparts.com/europe/en/catalogue/caliper/F_23_156/pdf
Rear right caliper: https://www.bremboparts.com/europe/en/catalogue/caliper/F_23_157/pdf