Handbrake released itself

RobClubley · 15-08-2007, 00:26

I was sitting in a queue at some lights this morning on a fairly steep hill, facing downwards.

I usually press the footbrake, lift the handbrake lever to lock it on then release the footbrake. I did this and was sitting there for maybe 30 seconds, daydreaming, when there was a clunk and the handbrake released itself!
Fortunately I reacted automatically and stood on the brake pedal, only moving about a foot.
Do I need to get something checked out or could this be a one-off weird thing?
I need to be able to trust my handbrake as Wellington is pretty hilly and I often leave the car parked on slopes (in gear of course)

cheezemonkhai · 15-08-2007, 00:36

If in doubt I would get it checked, better a small bill for checking than a larger one for a respray or other repairs.

Wardy · 15-08-2007, 00:40

Whoops!

Did the car start to move with the lever in the same position Rob? Or was it a case of it returning the usual 'off' position?

Get it checked, whichever way!

Steve

RobClubley · 15-08-2007, 00:47

It just released itself and dropped back to the off position. I'm surprised it could do that to be honest!
I'll call in at my favourite German car specialist this evening

cheezemonkhai · 15-08-2007, 00:57

I havn't seen anything like this on any of the cars with all round disks that I have had.

Even a citroen BX where the handbrake was on the front disks never did this when you applied light pressure on the foot brake before applying the handbrake.

RobClubley · 15-08-2007, 01:00

I use the handbrake quite a lot in traffic as it's mostly hilly here and I've never had a problem - I'll definitely get it checked out as I like the shape of the front end of the car

anonymouse · 15-08-2007, 01:03

I've had this happen - but I'm sure it has been my fault.
Having a lot of mechanical sympathy I too press on the brake, pull up handbrake and gently release button. And, there, I think, is the problem - i.e. it is not 'latching' properly.

To remedy this you need merely follow the actions of a mother in a hurry.
Rip, scrunch (wheels stop turning two seconds later). There - now you know it's latched

RobClubley · 15-08-2007, 01:04

Treat her rough eh?

anonymouse · 15-08-2007, 01:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobClubley

Treat her rough eh?

No sheep jokes please. This is a highly technical conversation

RobClubley · 15-08-2007, 01:10

Baa-humbug!

anonymouse · 15-08-2007, 01:19

Ewe know it makes sense. Do I have to ram home the point.

Oh, if my explunashion doesn't fit - then, yup, get it checked out.

RobClubley · 15-08-2007, 01:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by anonymouse

Ewe know it makes sense. Do I have to ram home the point.

Oh, if my explunashion doesn't fit - then, yup, get it checked out.

Bit of a woolly expanation but it does make sense.

I think I'll get it looked at anyway. No point taking any risks with brakes!

ady · 15-08-2007, 01:28

mine has done it a time or 2 when its not properly engaged into the notches, normally its straight away though

vRS_Si · 15-08-2007, 08:19

Yeah same as above, I've had it once or twice when it hasn't properly engaged.

**mannyo** · 15-08-2007, 08:24

Could be the brake discs cooling down, especially if you have just driven down a steep hill and had to use the brakes a lot. As they cool, the discs contract, thus eventually friction between pad and disc is lost. This is quiet a common where the rear disc pads are used to hold the car on the handbrake, its for this reason that some manufactures fit brake shoes into the hub of their rear disc brakes to hold the car. My old XJ40, and the Boxster had rear discs for normal braking and shoes for the handbrake.

KenONeill · 15-08-2007, 12:39

I disagree with a fair bit of the above. From what Rob says, the HB actually moved down several notches by itself, and IME that only happens if you use a "lazy handbrake" and actually wear out the locking pawl!

WW_VRS · 15-08-2007, 12:44

I've had cars with 160k miles on the clock that were always 'lazy handbraked' to pull up the handbrake, never had trouble with it wearing out.

And if it does, it's generally a pretty easy bracket to replace

KenONeill · 15-08-2007, 13:55

TBF there were suggestions of a missing heat treatment being involved, but the point still stands I think.

WW_VRS · 15-08-2007, 14:06

Daveq · 15-08-2007, 16:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by ady

mine has done it a time or 2 when its not properly engaged into the notches, normally its straight away though

Me too

VRSBUZZ · 15-08-2007, 19:29

Ensure that the teeth on the handbrake ratchet are not worn out because this would cause the problem. Did the handbrake ratchet properly engage when you pulled it up? If it had not engaged then it will slip particularly on an incline. If in doubt get the car checked over. It should have disk brakes at the rear so there should not be any problems there as they are extremely reliable compared to drum brakes.

Steve

anewman · 23-08-2007, 03:25

I've not pressed the button on my handbrake ever since I did so and the pivot pin fell out of the mechanism leading to the centre button coming free and the handbrake not holding, cue nearly an hour of wiggling and struggling to push it back in

I think it's only held in by the pressure of it pivoting against the ratchet mechanism, so I added some duct tape. I suppose older handbrakes are easier to fiddle with though. Especially when it's only covered with an easily removable plastic trim.

15-08-2007, 00:26	#1
RobClubley Midnight Mod! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Aotearoa - land of the long white cloud Posts: 7,041 Members Car: 2004 Octavia vRS Estate Images: 1 Thanks: 155 Thanked 161 Times in 134 Posts	Handbrake released itself I was sitting in a queue at some lights this morning on a fairly steep hill, facing downwards. I usually press the footbrake, lift the handbrake lever to lock it on then release the footbrake. I did this and was sitting there for maybe 30 seconds, daydreaming, when there was a clunk and the handbrake released itself! Fortunately I reacted automatically and stood on the brake pedal, only moving about a foot. Do I need to get something checked out or could this be a one-off weird thing? I need to be able to trust my handbrake as Wellington is pretty hilly and I often leave the car parked on slopes (in gear of course) __________________ Corrida Red 2004 Octavia vRS Estate - It's the bestest Skoda in New Zealand! Whaia te mātauranga, whaia te māramatanga - Pursue knowledge, pursue the wisdom of knowledge www.pimpmyskoda.co.uk www.clubley.org Facebook Last edited by RobClubley; 15-08-2007 at 00:39.

15-08-2007, 00:36	#2
cheezemonkhai Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 15,664 Members Car: Thanks: 116 Thanked 526 Times in 487 Posts	Re: Handbrake released itself If in doubt I would get it checked, better a small bill for checking than a larger one for a respray or other repairs. __________________ Cars make CO2 and trees absorb CO2. By driving your car you're feeding a tree and helping the environment.

15-08-2007, 00:40	#3
Wardy 207/340 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Around Manchester & Cheshire Posts: 11,751 Members Car: Skoda Fabia vRS Thanks: 457 Thanked 370 Times in 358 Posts	Re: Handbrake released itself Whoops! Did the car start to move with the lever in the same position Rob? Or was it a case of it returning the usual 'off' position? Get it checked, whichever way! Steve __________________ Wardy's Fabia vRS xenons : sunroof : cruise : OEM+ "Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting." - Steve McQueen "If in doubt, flat out." - Colin McRae

15-08-2007, 00:47	#4
RobClubley Midnight Mod! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Aotearoa - land of the long white cloud Posts: 7,041 Members Car: 2004 Octavia vRS Estate Images: 1 Thanks: 155 Thanked 161 Times in 134 Posts	Re: Handbrake released itself It just released itself and dropped back to the off position. I'm surprised it could do that to be honest! I'll call in at my favourite German car specialist this evening __________________ Corrida Red 2004 Octavia vRS Estate - It's the bestest Skoda in New Zealand! Whaia te mātauranga, whaia te māramatanga - Pursue knowledge, pursue the wisdom of knowledge www.pimpmyskoda.co.uk www.clubley.org Facebook

15-08-2007, 00:57	#5
cheezemonkhai Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 15,664 Members Car: Thanks: 116 Thanked 526 Times in 487 Posts	Re: Handbrake released itself I havn't seen anything like this on any of the cars with all round disks that I have had. Even a citroen BX where the handbrake was on the front disks never did this when you applied light pressure on the foot brake before applying the handbrake. __________________ Cars make CO2 and trees absorb CO2. By driving your car you're feeding a tree and helping the environment.

15-08-2007, 01:00	#6
RobClubley Midnight Mod! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Aotearoa - land of the long white cloud Posts: 7,041 Members Car: 2004 Octavia vRS Estate Images: 1 Thanks: 155 Thanked 161 Times in 134 Posts	Re: Handbrake released itself I use the handbrake quite a lot in traffic as it's mostly hilly here and I've never had a problem - I'll definitely get it checked out as I like the shape of the front end of the car __________________ Corrida Red 2004 Octavia vRS Estate - It's the bestest Skoda in New Zealand! Whaia te mātauranga, whaia te māramatanga - Pursue knowledge, pursue the wisdom of knowledge www.pimpmyskoda.co.uk www.clubley.org Facebook

15-08-2007, 01:03	#7
anonymouse Nuts Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Greater Manchester Posts: 8,450 Members Car: Fabia vRS Thanks: 152 Thanked 258 Times in 192 Posts	Re: Handbrake released itself I've had this happen - but I'm sure it has been my fault. Having a lot of mechanical sympathy I too press on the brake, pull up handbrake and gently release button. And, there, I think, is the problem - i.e. it is not 'latching' properly. To remedy this you need merely follow the actions of a mother in a hurry. Rip, scrunch (wheels stop turning two seconds later). There - now you know it's latched __________________ "Stupidity, if left untreated, is self-correcting." - Heinlein Last edited by anonymouse; 15-08-2007 at 01:04. Reason: am daft

15-08-2007, 01:04	#8
RobClubley Midnight Mod! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Aotearoa - land of the long white cloud Posts: 7,041 Members Car: 2004 Octavia vRS Estate Images: 1 Thanks: 155 Thanked 161 Times in 134 Posts	Re: Handbrake released itself Treat her rough eh? __________________ Corrida Red 2004 Octavia vRS Estate - It's the bestest Skoda in New Zealand! Whaia te mātauranga, whaia te māramatanga - Pursue knowledge, pursue the wisdom of knowledge www.pimpmyskoda.co.uk www.clubley.org Facebook

15-08-2007, 01:10	#10
RobClubley Midnight Mod! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Aotearoa - land of the long white cloud Posts: 7,041 Members Car: 2004 Octavia vRS Estate Images: 1 Thanks: 155 Thanked 161 Times in 134 Posts	Re: Handbrake released itself Baa-humbug! __________________ Corrida Red 2004 Octavia vRS Estate - It's the bestest Skoda in New Zealand! Whaia te mātauranga, whaia te māramatanga - Pursue knowledge, pursue the wisdom of knowledge www.pimpmyskoda.co.uk www.clubley.org Facebook

15-08-2007, 01:19	#11
anonymouse Nuts Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Greater Manchester Posts: 8,450 Members Car: Fabia vRS Thanks: 152 Thanked 258 Times in 192 Posts	Re: Handbrake released itself Ewe know it makes sense. Do I have to ram home the point. Oh, if my explunashion doesn't fit - then, yup, get it checked out. __________________ "Stupidity, if left untreated, is self-correcting." - Heinlein

15-08-2007, 01:28	#13
ady Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: derby/midlands Posts: 47 Members Car: skoda octavia 1.9tdi (110) Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Handbrake released itself mine has done it a time or 2 when its not properly engaged into the notches, normally its straight away though

15-08-2007, 08:19	#14
vRS_Si Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Coventry Posts: 1,293 Members Car: Octavia vRS Thanks: 8 Thanked 20 Times in 20 Posts	Re: Handbrake released itself Yeah same as above, I've had it once or twice when it hasn't properly engaged. __________________ vRS Mirror polished 9*18" Mercedes Alloys, APR FMIC, ABD TIP & CAI, Powder coated inlet manifold, Jabba Re-map, Blueflame/Pipewerx exhaust, Forge DV, KW v3 coilovers, Neuspeed ARB, S3 strut braces, bonnet lifters, Autostyl rear spoiler, Milotec rear diffuser & bumper grills, side rubbing strips removed, front and rear rubbing strips smoothed and colour coded, scuttle pannel colour coded, chrome grill colour coded, mk2 vRS badge, de-locked, tints, mk4 aero wipers.

15-08-2007, 08:24	#15
mannyo BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Stevenage Herts. Posts: 11,474 Members Car: Octavia 2.0 TDi Elegance Thanks: 58 Thanked 361 Times in 332 Posts	Re: Handbrake released itself Could be the brake discs cooling down, especially if you have just driven down a steep hill and had to use the brakes a lot. As they cool, the discs contract, thus eventually friction between pad and disc is lost. This is quiet a common where the rear disc pads are used to hold the car on the handbrake, its for this reason that some manufactures fit brake shoes into the hub of their rear disc brakes to hold the car. My old XJ40, and the Boxster had rear discs for normal braking and shoes for the handbrake. __________________ Manny 2005 Octavia 2.0TDi Elegance combi my skoda website http://www.octaviars.co.uk Join the briskoda.net folding team click Here for more info

15-08-2007, 12:39	#16
KenONeill Briskodian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Normally in Scotland! Posts: 11,213 Members Car: Octavia TDi110 Thanks: 65 Thanked 561 Times in 549 Posts	Re: Handbrake released itself I disagree with a fair bit of the above. From what Rob says, the HB actually moved down several notches by itself, and IME that only happens if you use a "lazy handbrake" and actually wear out the locking pawl!

15-08-2007, 12:44	#17
WW_VRS Escorted Estate Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oxfordshire/Berkshire Posts: 9,873 Members Car: Ford Escort 1.6LX + Fab Estate Thanks: 46 Thanked 86 Times in 76 Posts	Re: Handbrake released itself I've had cars with 160k miles on the clock that were always 'lazy handbraked' to pull up the handbrake, never had trouble with it wearing out. And if it does, it's generally a pretty easy bracket to replace __________________ WW --->> Project Journal (pic links in first post there) Lummox'/Ross thread on Unit18 Automotive progress on my car: here

15-08-2007, 13:55	#18
KenONeill Briskodian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Normally in Scotland! Posts: 11,213 Members Car: Octavia TDi110 Thanks: 65 Thanked 561 Times in 549 Posts	Re: Handbrake released itself TBF there were suggestions of a missing heat treatment being involved, but the point still stands I think.

15-08-2007, 14:06	#19
WW_VRS Escorted Estate Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oxfordshire/Berkshire Posts: 9,873 Members Car: Ford Escort 1.6LX + Fab Estate Thanks: 46 Thanked 86 Times in 76 Posts	Re: Handbrake released itself Yep __________________ WW --->> Project Journal (pic links in first post there) Lummox'/Ross thread on Unit18 Automotive progress on my car: here

15-08-2007, 19:29	#21
VRSBUZZ Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lincolnshire Posts: 85 Members Car: FABIA 1.9TDI ELEGANCE ESTATE Thanks: 4 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Handbrake released itself Ensure that the teeth on the handbrake ratchet are not worn out because this would cause the problem. Did the handbrake ratchet properly engage when you pulled it up? If it had not engaged then it will slip particularly on an incline. If in doubt get the car checked over. It should have disk brakes at the rear so there should not be any problems there as they are extremely reliable compared to drum brakes. Steve

23-08-2007, 03:25	#22
anewman Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Leeds Posts: 2,997 Members Car: 1994 Skoda Favorit GLXIe Estate Images: 1 Thanks: 1,120 Thanked 263 Times in 237 Posts	Re: Handbrake released itself I've not pressed the button on my handbrake ever since I did so and the pivot pin fell out of the mechanism leading to the centre button coming free and the handbrake not holding, cue nearly an hour of wiggling and struggling to push it back in I think it's only held in by the pressure of it pivoting against the ratchet mechanism, so I added some duct tape. I suppose older handbrakes are easier to fiddle with though. Especially when it's only covered with an easily removable plastic trim.

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