Hi All,

My handbrake was coming up way too high, so while it was in for some new console bushes, I asked the garage to tighten it for me. It was great at first, but after just a few days, it was back to having a lot of travel.

Being technically minded, I thought I might have a look at the adjustment under the rear ash tray. To my horror, the cables look massively uneven making the bracket which joins the 2 cables into 1 really wonky.

1. What might have caused this?
2. What's the likely fix?
3. Approx cost of fix?
4. Is it a DIY job?

The car is as per my signature, and there is a picture of said part below.

Seized rear caliper handbrake assembly.

Cheers. Is that for sure or could there be another culprit?

What's the fix? New caliper? What's the wallet damage?

Thanks.

Cheers. Is that for sure or could there be another culprit?

What's the fix? New caliper? What's the wallet damage?

Thanks.

Easy to check, jack up the back end (don't use the rear axle beam)Chock front wheels or stick it in 1st gear, handbrake off, and check if both rear wheels rotate freely. If not inspect the handbrake levers on the calipers, one may be seized, although the mechanism inside the caliper can seize, especially if the rear pads have been changed and the correct piston wind-back tool hasn't been used. Use axle srands if you are going to venture underneath the car.

Caliper is about £80 from a decent factor (Exchange)

Thanks. A fountain of knowledge as usual!

Do you think it is it worth trying the replacement springs as listed in the sticky?

Might be the same symptoms but I had a siezed caliper a few months back, I too had a wonky handbrake adjuster.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/190663-handbrake-lever-on-caliper-stuck/page__p__2274391#entry2274391

While the rear brake (foot) worked fine the lever for the brake cable was stuck in the 'On/Brake' position. However, the wheel still was free/spinning.

So, i took the caliper off, unclipped the brake cable, checked to see if the cable was free - it was - & using a hammer & half a can of WD40 I freed up the lever. Once the lever was free enough i pumped it with my hand (!!!!), added more WD40, wound the piston back in (you need a tool for that) repeated until i was happy that it was no longer going to jam up.

I fitted the springs as well to help with the release.

Been ok for a few months now.

Edited 17 June, 201115 yr by Chris Berry

Cheers Chris, I'll take a look this weekend.

Mine is like this too and I recently had trouble with the handbrake. Just bought some springs today. Hopefully that might sort it....