Frozen Handbrake!

[JamieBiz]

I keep coming out to my frosted car and finding my handbrake is stuck on, i live in south somerset so its not like its even that bad a frost, -2 or -3 maybe this morning.

iv'e never had this with any other car?

I'm guessing the cable is slightly corroded and letting it water somewhere? it takes a good 20-30 min to loosen up with the engine started and some rather dodgy looking jerking motion.

Does anyone else suffer from the same annoying problem? my work mates think im taking the piss when im half an hour late in every time there's a frost!

[dronners]

try a bit of WD40 on the handbrake level at the back. just make sure none gets on the disc or pads

[pudding]

Does the handbrake lever go down but the rear calipers are not releasing?  Sounds more caliper related than cable related to me.  I've not had frozen cables since my MK2 days!

[JamieBiz]

When i get in the car and let the lever down its just free with resistance and the back left is brake is tight, I've tried 'de-icing' the calipers too with warm water and that didn't seem to do anything.

Im planning on re painting my calipers when i get a nice day to do it, so ill just have to try some WD i guess

[pudding]

Yeah it kind of sounds like the return springs in the Handbrake mechanism in one (or both) caliper(s) isn't pulling the cables tight.   Fairly common.  It's the same basic design of caliper since the MK2!

I went through all this recently and had to have 2 new calipers.  They were beyond strip down and rebuild unfortunately.

[andyR43]

Can't you just not use your handbrake until the weather improves?
Leave the car in gear with the front wheels facing, and up against, the kerb? 

[shail]

I've had this on a couple of golfs (mk3 and mk4).

In both cases I was told that there is some sort of rubber boots at the end of the cable near the caliper.  When this perishes, water travels up the cable in the wey, which freezes overnight. 

Both times I just lived with it by not using handbrake in winter, and having my MOT done in the summer!

[lukemk5gti]

try a bit of WD40 on the handbrake level at the back. just make sure none gets on the disc or pads

WD40 is a penetrant not a lubricant. It might free it up in the short term but it evaporates in no time. If you're looking long term you'll need grease

[Dan_FR]

I had it on the Mk4 and replaced the handbrake cables. they weren't expensive at all and it took maybe an hour to change them - never had a problem again. The rubber boots on the end will be split and will have allowed water ingress.

[JamieBiz]

Thanks Guys!

Ill be replacing the cable as i park on a slight hill and the car that parks behind me is generally a jacked up landy with bull bars... so i would be replacing my rear window if something ever went wrong!