My handbrake does not hold the car on steep surfaces. When I engage it in gear, it works OK, but if it is not in gear, the car slips. The car is second hand, but I've only just bought it. The mechanic I took it to suggested that it could be because the car has been stationary for a long while (in the dealer's forecourt). The mechanic suggested I wait for a week to see if it improves. Does this make any sense?
2007-09-20 04:49:32 · 21 answers · asked by bright 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I'd say it needs adjusting, take it back to the mechanic.
2007-09-20 04:53:36 · answer #1 · answered by jet-set 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. It's just another brake. If it needed "breaking in", you could just drive a few feet with the handbrake on, and the job would be done.
Two places I'd look would be either the linkage between the lever and the brake pad (might just need a small adjustment), or the pad itself, which could be worn. Although if this is a new car, the pad shouldn't be worn unless someone took it for a long test drive with the handbrake engaged.
2007-09-20 12:02:04 · answer #2 · answered by El Jefe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Back to the dealer, my friend. What you're driving now is both dangerous and illegal, and it's not going to get better. The handbrake clearly isn't working, the car's only being held by engine compression while in gear. Either an adjustment is needed or the rear shoes are worn out.
2007-09-20 13:09:12 · answer #3 · answered by champer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really. If it doesn't hold now, it won't hold then. You will end up replacing the brake shoes, or whatever your car uses (you didn't say what you drive) as friction components. Putting it in gear is absolutely necessary, even if the brake does hold, because one never knows when a mechanical part will fail (brake cable, handle assembly, etc.) and the gears will keep it from rolling away and crashing. Use first gear on a downhill, and reverse on an uphill parking spot.
2007-09-20 11:58:47 · answer #4 · answered by Claira Voyant 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have the cable running to the hand brakes tightened. This should solve the problem. And while you are having the cable tightened, you might as well have the hand brake pads looked into. With age and some careless driving (the old owner may have driven with the brake applied) the pads can become worn. If need be have these replaced as well.
Hand brake is a very understated safety feature of a car. Please do not take any chances with it.
2007-09-20 12:02:08 · answer #5 · answered by al_sheda 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could just need adjusting. Wait a week, see what happens. If no improvement take it back and get them to sort it. Handbrake usually is cable actuated and locks the rear brakes to hold the car. Rear brakes could need attention or cable adjusting. Meanwhile make sure you leave it in 1st gear if facing uphill, reverse if facing downhill.
2007-09-20 11:55:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is Either too much slack in the Handbrake cable, or most likely, the rear Brake Shoes require adjustment, which involves taking off the Brake Drum, the self adjuster is almost certainly seized up.It is very unlikely to free itself.
2007-09-20 11:56:27 · answer #7 · answered by Nigel S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the hand brake does not work then check that the rear brakes work when used with the foot pedal. could be that the shoes are worn out. On modern cars the adjustment is usually automatic. Take the car back and ask to have the brakes checked.
2007-09-20 12:11:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the handbrake, or emergency brake, controls the rear brake assembly only. sounds like it may just need a simple adjustment.
anytime a mechanic suggests that you wait to see if a problem clears by itself, it's time to find another (and more ) competent mechanic.
any decent mechanic will tell you that a mechanical defect or failure DOES NOT "clear up" by itself
2007-09-20 11:57:41 · answer #9 · answered by ronald c 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does sound as if your handbrake needs adjusting. It is not the brake that is holding the stationery when it is in gear - it is the gear box
2007-09-20 12:05:21 · answer #10 · answered by reggie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like it needs a brake adjustment or the cables on the hand brake need adjusted, or the rear brakes are in need of repalcement, wait a week for what to improve, find another mechanic this guy dosent care about your problem
2007-09-20 11:56:22 · answer #11 · answered by nitroyes 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋