Technical Handbrake issue, urgent help needed please

[middo85]

Started my tjet for the first time in about 10 days this morning and on trying to drive off heard a crack and found the back wheels have locked and the handbrake is slack.

I didnt have time to look at it this morning as had to rush off to work.

Im assuming its a handbrake cable snapped somewhere but i need to get the car mobile asap.

How would i manually release it so at least i can get the car moving. I dont fancy having to get it recovered.

Any help would be appreciated

 

[KenMavor]

If handbrake cable has snapped can see no other way to release brakes at back apart from getting into each rear wheel. Are you a member of AA/RAC? Or is anyone you know a member as it's the person who's a member these days. If not see if you can join and get them to look at it to get you going. Sorry can't be anymore help!!

 

[cmosfxx]

Most likely pins seized. That's why you feel handbrake slack.

 

[middo85]

Most likely pins seized. That's why you feel handbrake slack.

Pins where?

Ive rung the AXA breakdown i get through work and they are sending someone out.

 

[cmosfxx]

Caliper slider pins.

 

[aurick86]

That's why i almost never leave the hand brake on; i just put it in first gear.
I only pull the hand brake if i leave the car on a very, very, very inclined slope.

 

[middo85]

That's why i almost never leave the hand brake on; i just put it in first gear.
I only pull the hand brake if i leave the car on a very, very, very inclined slope.

I do live on a very steep incline so leave it in gear as well.

If the pins have seized due to the weather (it was -5 with about 4 inches of snow on the ground) would pouring warm water over the calipers free it up?

 

[varesecrazy]

sounds "Wrong " to me..,

rear shoes have springs to pull them IN ,
the cable pulls them out to push on the drum..,

I suspect that the shoes have "frozen" to the drum, and the cable doing nowt is because it's got nothing to pull against,

return to car when it's a little warmer..,
start engine + warm up properly,
then try and rock back + forth in forward + reverse,
you may have to give it a bit of a "shock" in 1st..,

search "frozen drum brake"

my 2013 "GP" often releases with a "bang":slayer:


Charlie

 

[middo85]

sounds "Wrong " to me..,

rear shoes have springs to pull them IN ,
the cable pulls them out to push on the drum..,

I suspect that the shoes have "frozen" to the drum, and the cable doing nowt is because it's got nothing to pull against,

return to car when it's a little warmer..,
start engine + warm up properly,
then try and rock back + forth in forward + reverse,
you may have to give it a bit of a "shock" in 1st..,

search "frozen drum brake"

my 2013 "GP" often releases with a "bang":slayer:


Charlie

Tjets have discs all round mate

 

[varesecrazy]

Tjets have discs all round mate

same applies,

cold surface "bonds" to cold metal surface,
handbrake "feels" disconnected because there's nothing "springy"

sure OP will get back to us.. TBH a lot of bank accounts now have breakdown..,
limiting factor is "car is at home address"

Charlie

 

[jameshobiecat]

All the same, a snapped cable would release the brakes not clamp the on. The pads / calipers have just corroded in position slightly, it often happens after washing a car and they usually release with a bit if a bang as you try to pull away.

Just take a brave pill and pull away abruptly, they will free up.

 

[middo85]

same applies,

cold surface "bonds" to cold metal surface,
handbrake "feels" disconnected because there's nothing "springy"

sure OP will get back to us.. TBH a lot of bank accounts now have breakdown..,
limiting factor is "car is at home address"

Charlie

Im covered for it being at home luckily. They are sending a local garage out to have a look and hopefully fix it where it is.

 

[jameshobiecat]

P.s. might be worth running the engine (to pressurise the servo) and stamping hard on the brake pedal to try and free things up.

 

[middo85]

P.s. might be worth running the engine (to pressurise the servo) and stamping hard on the brake pedal to try and free things up.

I tried that but no joy unfortunately. Ill see what the recovery lot say. Thanks all

 

[Andy Monty]

Its not unknown for rear calipers to seize solid

 

[middo85]

AXA sent a great local bloke who has sorted it! Rear calipers were frozen solid apparently. Thanks for all the help and advice

 

[KenMavor]

Probably hit it with a big hammer.........

Now that;s when you need breakdown cover....!!

 

[varesecrazy]

AXA sent a great local bloke who has sorted it! Rear calipers were frozen solid apparently. Thanks for all the help and advice

glad to hear it,

so - the handbrake cable..!!

didn't need to use the 3 Lb'er on that then..

Charlie

 

[middo85]

From the look of the residue all over the back wheels he drowned them in de-icer or something similar.

At least I'll know if it happens again, this morning I was in a rush to get my other car defrosted so I wasnt late for work.

The Astra certainly didnt have any issues ;-)