Frozen Handbrake

[ECB]

Hi everyone,

I keep having issues with the handbrake freezing on my ST FR which seems to happen when the temperature drops to about -5. Interestingly, it always seems to be nearside rear, I've parked with that side closed to my house thinking it might be more sheltered and it didn't make a difference. Most annoying when you leave for work early.

Not something I've had happen before on my old Leon or previous cars so would be interested to know if anyone else is having the same issue I how I can stop it happening.

Thanks,

Edward

 

[ECB]

** It's just dawned on me now I could just leave the car in gear and not use the handbrake!

That said still interested to see if anyone else is having the same issue.

 

[SuperV8]

By frozen do you mean you try to drive off and the back end squats down as if the handbrake is still on, and then releases in a bang?

This is usually the fine metal particles in the friction material rusting/sticking to the disc, if the car isn't used very often.

What pads are on the back? Different brands have varying amounts of metal.

 

[ECB]

Its the cable not full releasing I believe. The handbrake comes down but doesn't seat at the bottom. Its a pre facelift mk3 so isn't an electronic handbrake.

 

[RUM4MO]

It would still do that if the pads were not moving out off the disc surface, when last were the brakes all serviced, as in the wheels taken off, callipers unbolted from their carriers, pads removed, and every thing cleaned up and some anti seize grease applied to relevant contact points?

 

[SuperV8]

Its the cable not full releasing I believe. The handbrake comes down but doesn't seat at the bottom. Its a pre facelift mk3 so isn't an electronic handbrake.

Ah ok, so would you say the nearside rear brake is dragging? like it's partially on? Check the wheel after a drive - does if feel warm to the touch?

Could try jacking that corner of the ground, and applying/releasing the handbrake - does the wheel rotate smoothly?
Then putting your foot firmly on the brake pedal, then off again - does the wheel rotate smoothly?

If the brake is dragging could be in order of likeliness:
Pads seized/sticking in the carrier? (you would need new pads and discs)
Caliper slider pins seized/sticking? (you would need new pads and discs & possibly slider pins or clean the up)
Caliper piston/handbrake mechanism seized? (you would need new pads, discs and caliper)
Handbrake cable rusty/sticking? (new handbrake cable, and possible new pads and discs depending on how hot they have got?)

 

[Evo97]

Normally happens if water had got inside the inner part of the cable and then obviously freezes
New cable or leave handbrake off until temps improve

 

[RUM4MO]

Normally happens if water had got inside the inner part of the cable and then obviously freezes
New cable or leave handbrake off until temps improve

Have you ever seen this happening with a modernish VW Group car - I've never and I've had a couple to over 13 years old and one almost 10 years, all these cables are well made and sealed via rubber bellows and are coated with PTFE like stuff over the length that runs within the sheath.

 

[Evo97]

See it all the time! Especially after the excessive floods/Rain

 

[RUM4MO]

Weird, must be gash cars.

 

[Seriously?]

Have you ever seen this happening with a modernish VW Group car - I've never and I've had a couple to over 13 years old and one almost 10 years, all these cables are well made and sealed via rubber bellows and are coated with PTFE like stuff over the length that runs within the sheath.

Used to happen all the time in winter with the 3 different VW T4's I ran as courier vans. We got used to parking them up overnight in gear with the handbrakes off.

 

[280jl]

If your brakes are not binding when driving, nothing to worry about... its a sticking brake pad mainly because of temperature and moisture, happens all the time to a lot of cars. Completely normal, don't worry yourself

 

[Yellow fr]

I had this happen to me on a punto gt water had got into the hand brake cable in between the cable and the outer cover and on very cold nights froze so the cable would not release and the hand brake was still on when it warmed up the hand brake worked as it should
I just replaced the cables problem gone
The problem was the rubber cover had rotted away and water could get in


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk