Make a donation

Author Topic: handbrake fail  (Read 3386 times)

Offline jakex181

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 4
  • -Receive: 2
  • Posts: 202
handbrake fail
« on: April 09, 2015, 06:23:08 am »
I Park on a hill and pull the handbrake up as far as I can, I usually point the tires to the curb or leave the car in gear, however last night I didnt. I woke up this morning to my car sitting against the back of the car infront as it has rolled about 5 meters down the hill. Why would the handbrake fail like this? Luckily it looks like only a small scratch and a smashed number plate :/.

Offline lukemk5gti

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 28
  • -Receive: 118
  • Posts: 1845
    • Email
  • My Ride: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,89715.msg907250.html#msg907250
Re: handbrake fail
« Reply #1 on: April 09, 2015, 09:21:27 am »
I imagine you park in the same spot every single night on a hill. You probably pull your handbreak up much farther than anyone else would.

I'd say it's just wear and tear. Cable eventually gave too much slack and it just gave up.

Did you check the handbreak position when you got back in the car?


Offline xjay1337

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 15
  • -Receive: 377
  • Posts: 4916
  • My Ride: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,88399.0.html
Re: handbrake fail
« Reply #2 on: April 09, 2015, 10:29:15 am »
Park on a hill and don't also leave it in gear?

Offline cooljimy84

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 11
  • -Receive: 18
  • Posts: 215
    • Personal
    • Email
Re: handbrake fail
« Reply #3 on: April 09, 2015, 01:09:18 pm »
Park on a hill and don't also leave it in gear?

I've been advised against this "as that could put strain on the drive chain for the exhaust camshaft"
Tho i readeded it on the internet, so could be very wrong (as i was with the second thermostat  :stupid: )
There is no replacement for displacement....
But a turbo does help....

Offline usmangti

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 23
  • -Receive: 28
  • Posts: 399
Re: handbrake fail
« Reply #4 on: April 09, 2015, 03:42:51 pm »
I have always parked my manual cars in gear and never had a problem

Park on a hill and don't also leave it in gear?

I've been advised against this "as that could put strain on the drive chain for the exhaust camshaft"
Tho i readeded it on the internet, so could be very wrong (as i was with the second thermostat  :stupid: )

Offline xjay1337

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 15
  • -Receive: 377
  • Posts: 4916
  • My Ride: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,88399.0.html
Re: handbrake fail
« Reply #5 on: April 09, 2015, 04:57:27 pm »
Park on a hill and don't also leave it in gear?

I've been advised against this "as that could put strain on the drive chain for the exhaust camshaft"
Tho i readeded it on the internet, so could be very wrong (as i was with the second thermostat  :stupid: )

I readeded on the Internet that santa was real too :-(



Mechanically that statement makes no sense.

Offline jakex181

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 4
  • -Receive: 2
  • Posts: 202
Re: handbrake fail
« Reply #6 on: April 09, 2015, 06:53:48 pm »
yeah i checked the position, the handbrake looked asif it was lower than i usually put it :/. Also i noticed that i could pull the handbrake up further than usual after i re-parked my car :/

Offline Flyingscotsman

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 24
  • -Receive: 22
  • Posts: 313
Re: handbrake fail
« Reply #7 on: April 09, 2015, 09:51:50 pm »
Park on a hill and don't also leave it in gear?

I always put it in gear on any incline even if shallow.

Offline Carpy25

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 11
  • -Receive: 40
  • Posts: 432
    • Email
Re: handbrake fail
« Reply #8 on: April 09, 2015, 09:58:35 pm »
this happens all the time , its because when you stop the discs are hot and therefore expanded as they cool they shrink and  the handbrake can go up another notch or two to be fully on

Rob

Offline muff1991

  • Won't Shut up.
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 8
  • -Receive: 69
  • Posts: 925
Re: handbrake fail
« Reply #9 on: April 10, 2015, 04:26:40 pm »
I personally would replace the handbrake cables.

Offline Carpy25

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 11
  • -Receive: 40
  • Posts: 432
    • Email
Re: handbrake fail
« Reply #10 on: April 10, 2015, 04:51:11 pm »
I personally would replace the handbrake cables.

but the hand brakes holding when he puts it on only as it cools does it back off , if it was fully up and not holding then maybe the cables could need changing

Rob

Offline jakex181

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 4
  • -Receive: 2
  • Posts: 202
Re: handbrake fail
« Reply #11 on: April 10, 2015, 06:56:43 pm »
the cables seem fine, i re adjusted it today so it bites around 4 clicks, hopefully now it will be ok, ill still be leaving it in gear though

Offline lukemk5gti

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 28
  • -Receive: 118
  • Posts: 1845
    • Email
  • My Ride: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,89715.msg907250.html#msg907250
Re: handbrake fail
« Reply #12 on: April 10, 2015, 07:32:06 pm »
How did you go about readjusting it?

Offline jakex181

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 4
  • -Receive: 2
  • Posts: 202
Re: handbrake fail
« Reply #13 on: April 11, 2015, 10:39:51 am »
I used a guide online and adjusted the nut under the centre console so that the brake begins to bite at around 4 clicks but the wheel spins freely with the handle fully down. Although I did notice one wheel spins more freely than the other. I understand that hot brakes will have increased in size and when they cool down they shrink so there is less pressure from the handbrake on the disc but why does this not mean all cars will be probe to rolling away?

Offline Carpy25

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 11
  • -Receive: 40
  • Posts: 432
    • Email
Re: handbrake fail
« Reply #14 on: April 11, 2015, 12:36:46 pm »
A lot do roll away , drums have what is know as a "self energizing action " which is as the leading edge of the shoe is  pushed on to the drum leverage action forces the rest of the shoe on ,plus more contact area with shoes
Try this test , go .for a drive park on the flat pull up hand brake just enough so the car won't move test by pushing it when you get out , let the brakes cool for an hour or so then go back and push the car it will creek at least now think of that creek on a hill  run away car  :happy2:

Rob