handbrake sticking on

[pinback2001]

Hi all,

I wonder if anyone can advise me of what should be done to cure a problem with my maestro van that has just reared its ugly head. My van had stood in the street for just 2 days unused, and when I came to drive it the back brakes (presumably handbrake) had siezed on. Rocking the vehicle backwards and forwards with the gears cured it, but do you think that the very heavy rainfall we've all had could have anything to do with it? Or is it likely to be something more sinister!

[e692wtt]

It's not the rain drectly, but the high levels of moisture in the atmosphere causing the brake shoe material to 'bond' with the brake drum. They all do it to some extent, Sir! ;)

It's to do with brake pads and shoes being Asbestos-free nowadays (actually for quite a few years), and there's not much you can do about it.

I leave my car in gear with the handbrake off overnight, because of having had this very problem. I also live in a terraced house and parking is pretty tight so there ain't much scope for moving the car backwards and forwards to free the brake shoes off...

I shouldn't be worried about it happening, it's nothing sinister. Might be worth whipping the brake drums off though, to make sure the brake cylinders aren't leaking and making the problem worse though (and to check the brakes over generally). ;)

[E_T_V]

Perfectly normal. all of ours do it to some extent.. You might also want to check the return springs on the shoes but be aware that I can't find any new ones. :(

[Simon]

...also, the rear handbrake cable section can bind due to wear which prevents it freeing off fully.

[E_T_V]

If you ever get stuck when they are REALLY REALLY stuck on, i.e. towing the car doesn't even help, then a quick tip that helped me to get geroge our white 1.3 back on the road was to remove the road wheels, and with the judicious use of a hammer tap around the drum until the shoes are loosened off. Georges were seized on as he was left in damp grass for 6-9 months, and even towing it back and forth with a tractor didn't help.

[pinback2001]

Thanks for the help, guys,

I've stripped the drums and you wouldn't believe the filth that i've removed from them! Some brake cleaner, a few rags and some brake grease seem to have fettled the problem (?for now) BUT, and totally unconnected, I decided to do the job properly and strip the front brakes as well, and one of the roadwheels is siezed to the hub! It's a steel one so I suppose it's rust. The front wheels have been in place for some time now, and neither tapping with a hammer or jacking it up and hauling at the wheel helps. It looks as if a trip to a garage with access to heat will be necessary. :censored:

[E_T_V]

I had exactly the same problem on the van. One way to sort it is to loosen the wheelnuts until they are say half a turn past being in contact with the wheel. Then drive the car slowly up the road until the wheel brakes loose. (you'll feel it don't worry, but it isn't anything dramatic).

I know it isn't the safest or kindest solution but it worked for me when beating the thing to death with a sledge hammer didn't.

[pinback2001]

Hi E_T_V

Thanks for your advice, I'll certainly be giving that technique a go as soon as I get home from work in the morning. I'll try anything rather than go to a garage and be charged a fortune (not mean you understand, just not one for throwing my money around un-necessarily)

[pinback2001]

Success!

Thanks for that tip E_T_V, worked a treat. If you're ever in Galashiels I owe you a drink

[E_T_V]

No problems. When I'm next up there I'll try to remember to pop by.

Glad it is all sorted.