Driving... Bang! Handbrake locked on...

[Sandspider]

Hi all.

The other day, I was cruising along at about 40mph, the sun was out, the birds were singing and all was right with the world. Suddenly, there was a loud bang from behind me, the car dragged to the right then to the left and started to slow down. I thought I'd burst a tyre, and pulled over as best I could (didn't have much choice!). I discovered that the handbrake had locked on to both back wheels, so hard that the handbrake lever had been pulled right down to the floor of the car and I couldn't shift it.

Had to call out the recovery service, and we had a look underneath but couldn't see anything amiss. The chap said it was likely that a retaining pin of some sort had sheared inside the handbrake, causing the handbrake cable to twist around the axle (or something :s) and lock the handbrake on, and also drag the brake lever onto the floor.

Anyway, I was towed home, and by the time I got home, the jolting of the recovery vehicle had freed up the handbrake again. I pulled it on once to test it, but since then have left it off to stop it locking again. If I drive it (without using the handbrake of course!) is the handbrake likely to lock up again of its own accord? Or is there some simple fix I can do at home? Or is it likely to be an expensive garage job? (Before this happened, the handrake used to work a lot better on the right rear wheel than it did on the left...)

Many thanks for any suggestions. (I had a look on Clark's garage and in the workshop manuals, but could only see information on adjustment...)

Cheers,

Giles

 

[zcacogp]

Ummm, there's not much information in your post to base a recommendation on ...

I'd strongly suggest that you take the mechanism apart (from the handle right back to the wheels) and see what is and isn't as it should be. Something as dramatic as that which you mentioned doesn' t happen for no reason, and if you drive it without solving the problem then you risk the same thing happening again (which at 20 in a quiet residential area would be a nuisance, and at 120 on a motorway would possibly be curtains.)

The mechanism is simple. If you'd rather not (or can't) DIY it then find a good local indie.


Oli.

 

[Sandspider]

Thanks Oli.

Looks like it'll have to go to the indie due to time constraints, and I'll just cross my fingers it's not too pricey! (The handbrake needed some work before the next MOT, so at least I can kill two birds with one stone...)

Cheers,

Giles

 

[Hilux]

If I recall correctly you have to remove the rear hub nut to remove the disc/handbrake drum?

That in itself is an adventure 1) to undo it and 2) replace it as its an unserviceable item and then torque it to 290ft lb IIRC !!!!

If you havent access to the biggest torque wrench in the world or dont have a friendly coach/lorry workshop nearby then go indie with it.

 

[zcacogp]

ORIGINAL: Hilux

If I recall correctly you have to remove the rear hub nut to remove the disc/handbrake drum?

You remember wrong.

Wheel off. Caliper off. Pair of M8 bolts to hand to wind the disk/drum off. Job's a good'un.

(At least, it is on the S2's and 951's. I suspect it is the same on the Lux's as well.)


Oli.

 

[homesea]

No hub nut, remove the wheel then two screws to remove the disc off the hub and then you can see the handbrake pads, etc. Have to remove caliper 1st.

Mine did a very this a while back but just locked on the left and not very hard. Stripped it all down checked everything put it back togather and not had a problem. To this day I have no idea what did it.