General Handbrake problem?

[Diagmato]

After riding around in a friends Corsa all day, he decided to try a handbrake turn. As expected, the wheels locked, and the car skidded.

We hopped into the Punto, and after previously wondering whether there is a problem with the handbrake (i find it hard to trust parking it on somewhat steep slopes, as the car seems to creek a few times before finally keeping still) - I pulled up the handbrake whilst the car was moving, and instead of the wheels locking, the car rather slowly came to a halt - as if i had just used the foot brake somewhat hard.

Ive so far had one person (the passenger) say "oh crap thats dangerous", whereas another person said that its "normal", and that the handbrake wont stop a car, and in this case, the car has a mechanism to prevent the tires from getting ruined from a skid. I am seriously doubting the latter - all other cars ive known have locked the wheels the moment the handbrake was pulled up, even a G reg Escort.

(Car is a mk 1 1998 Punto 1.2)

 

[PuntoMkey]

that is probably the same problem as what i had, the cords for my handbrake were worn out and was havin same problem as you, got it fixed and now they are sound....bit of advice, until u get it fixed on a hill leave you car in gear

 

[Diagmato]

What price am I looking at for the new cords and labour, roughly? Was only last week it was in a garage to get the tensioner replaced .

 

[PuntoMkey]

lol my dads a machanic :devil: so was him who did it erm, i will ask him when he bk from the pub lmao

it wont be too costly i dont think

 

[T14086]

Of course get your brakes checked that they are working correctly but handbrake turns.....why

 

[vtec]

the creeking is usually the rear suspension.,
try pushin it while the handbreak is on, if it moves then theres a small prob.,
if it doesnt then its fine., cars are not meant to be doin handbreak turns so dont judge the effectiveness of your handbreak on this.,.,

 

[Diagmato]

I agree against the handbrake turns - it just got me curious to see if there was a problem with the handbrake at all (pulled the brake at around 15 mph).

When trying to push it, even on a hill, that cars going no where. Although the driveway its on isnt much of a hill - but enough for the car to move forwards a tiny bit when releasing the footbrake, after putting the hand brake on. I dont know if thats normal or not - but not seen it happen elsewhere.