Handbrake Problems !

[GTFR]

Wanted to see if anyone has had problems with their handbrake on their Leon? I have a 2.0ltr FR that went for a little drive on its own in the week. Bit of a problem as it ran into another car and pushed it through a fence! It did it again on Thursday night but that time I was sat in the car, so I know it wasn't me that left the brake off the first time. The dealer said yesterday that they couldn't find anything wrong, but after going through it all again with the service manager he has said he will talk to SEAT Tec and change all of the handbrake parts.
I was looking for some help really. If this is a problem with other cars, then I will go after SEAT for costs. This is not going to help my insurance!

 

[rob2005]

never had a problem with my stylance.

 

[andycupra]

oh dear.
not good.

not much of a solution, but i always leave my car in gear.

 

[rob2005]

oh dear.
not good.

not much of a solution, but i always leave my car in gear.

at a risk of sounding a lil thick, what difference does that make?

 

[DavysFR]

I think i may have the answer as to why your handbrake failed.

You see, once a car has been driven for a certain number of miles the brakes will heat up causing the disks to expand slightly.

Once the car is stopped the handbrake is applied and as the rear disks cool down they contract to their original size again causing the brake pad to slip slightly.

Theoretically if the car is on a steep enough slope, then the car could roll away on its own out of control.

My mate had this on a MK4 TDI Golf once, the dealership told him there was nothing he could do except leave the car in gear as well as applying the handbrake.

Hope this makes sense and it helps you

 

[m0rk]

at a risk of sounding a lil thick, what difference does that make?

it won't roll if you leave it in gear.

I didn't used to do this until my car rolled off the drive & into the road....

 

[GTFR]

Handbrake Problems!

Thanks for the help so far, but I don't see why I should have to keep the car in gear every time I park it! I haven't done that for over 10 years. When you work for a car dealer (6 years with SEAT) you are told to never park a car with it in gear! Its a bit of a habit. This has never happend to me before and I have lost count of the cars I have owned or had as demos.

 

[simon34]

Thanks for the help so far, but I don't see why I should have to keep the car in gear every time I park it! I haven't done that for over 10 years. When you work for a car dealer (6 years with SEAT) you are told to never park a car with it in gear! Its a bit of a habit. This has never happend to me before and I have lost count of the cars I have owned or had as demos.

Interesting . seat garage says dont leave cars in gear yet seat handbooks say
when leaving the vehicle the handbrake should be applied and first gear selected

 

[MarkE]

Mine was recalled by Volvo for a handbrake adjustment. You also get a handbook addendum telling you that the handbrake is an emergency brake and that the car should always be left in gear when parked.

Not that this really helps you...

 

[andycupra]

The dealer probably said that as many drivers dont check cars are not in gear or depress the clutch when starting cars.
Therefore that instruction was likely to avoid people starting them in gear if they are not used to leaving it in gear.

Where i work there is a multi storey car park, a number of cars have ended up in different locations to where they were left. All different types/manufacturers.

In my mind, handbrakes are simply not reliable enough to count on in isolation.

 

[ZBOYD]

I agree, leave it in gear, and if on a very steep hill point the front wheels in the direction of the kerb (where possible). Always done this since i began driving and i've not had a car roll away from me yet.

 

[Michael B]

Yes, on any type of slope i leave the car in gear, just that little bit of extra peace of mind..

 

[googies]

I have had this happen on a few occasions, never hit anything, just rolled, sat and watched car roll down side path of house one evening!! Always double check handbrake and gear it!!! It is as was mentioned about the brakes expanding during use and when parked they contract to leave less pressure between pads and discs.

 

[GTFR]

Handbrake Problems!

Ok. So I should have left the car in gear. But what I should have said is that the brake handle had dropped when I collected the car from the back of the one it hit and also had dropped again while I was sat in it. It looks to me more like a ratchet problem than a disc problem. By the sounds of it I am the only one.

 

[k4ith]

happened to me once , came out and car was half in the road.but did i put the h/brake on properly?? I always double check now. dont think you have much chance proving this to seat though.

 

[andycupra]

Ok. So I should have left the car in gear. But what I should have said is that the brake handle had dropped when I collected the car from the back of the one it hit and also had dropped again while I was sat in it. It looks to me more like a ratchet problem than a disc problem. By the sounds of it I am the only one.

That does sound like a ratchet issue and therefore its a different argument. More in your favour.

 

[Carnivor]

ive always gone by,

facing uphill use first.

facing downhill use reverse.

This is a highway code practice, along with pointing your front wheels in the direction of the kerb in the event on movement.

Remember Safety First, SAFETY SECOND!

 

[rob2005]

so would i be correct in thinking if i park on a hill, leave the car in first, then release the handbrake it wont move?

sounds crazy to me lol

 

[DanGB]

ive always gone by,

facing uphill use reverse.

facing downhill use first.

erm, isnt that the wrong way round?

 

[chrisboyle999]

so would i be correct in thinking if i park on a hill, leave the car in first, then release the handbrake it wont move?

sounds crazy to me lol

try it!

but dont dip the clutch. if you start to move the natural thing to try is to hit the brakes, but remember you will have little, if any servo pressure. in this instance yank the h-brake.