Handbrake Problems

Marky · 14 Jan 2011 at 11:46

Hey all,

I'm still with my wee Peugeot 106 and at the moment the handbrake has been acting a bit wierd...

Yesterday I went to a friends and noticed that when I put the handbrake on it was much much more loose than usual - I was able to pull the handle almost to an 70 degree angle. But I tried it and the car wasn't moving so I didn't think anything of it.

I went back home and then drove again, as I went to use my foot brake my car went a bit crazy. It felt like I run something over and I was skidding. However, ever since then my handbrake has been fine and it's as tight as normal... =\

So what could this mean? Anyone run into this problem before?

Thanks,

Marky

PhillyDee · 14 Jan 2011 at 11:47

The skidding feeling could have been ABS?

neil3k · 14 Jan 2011 at 12:18

PhillyDee said:
The skidding feeling could have been ABS?

Does a 106 have abs?

Marky · 14 Jan 2011 at 13:17

neil3k said:
Does a 106 have abs?

Yeah I think so

PhillyDee said:
The skidding feeling could have been ABS?

It is definitely something to do with the handbrake - I just went out for lunch and it happened again. As I went to slow down at a roundabout the car felt like I ran something over again and it felt like the brakes weren't working for about a second - now the handbrake is loose again

Chris_Hebden · 14 Jan 2011 at 13:27

One of the springs attached to the rear shoes could have broken, causing the shoe to fall off the back plate sliders, causing the shoe to lock up against the drum

Marky · 14 Jan 2011 at 13:29

So basically, this is another job for the mechanic

They sure are getting a lot of work from me recently

Is there a massive risk if I leave this unattended?

Chris_Hebden · 14 Jan 2011 at 13:33

With brakes, there is always a massive risk! Can you not look at them your self?

JRS · 14 Jan 2011 at 13:33

Marky said:
Is there a massive risk if I leave this unattended?

Well, it's a fault with your car's brakes. So what d'you think, worth the risk of leaving it until you hit a tree?

Marky · 14 Jan 2011 at 14:06

Chris_Hebden said:
With brakes, there is always a massive risk! Can you not look at them your self?

I'm a massive car newb

JRS said:
Well, it's a fault with your car's brakes. So what d'you think, worth the risk of leaving it until you hit a tree?

Yeah I know it sounds obvious - but most of the time, the car is fine - it's only every so often when the hand brake goes a bit wonky

...

Okay I might take it to the mechanics

JRS · 14 Jan 2011 at 14:12

Marky said:
Yeah I know it sounds obvious - but most of the time, the car is fine - it's only every so often when the hand brake goes a bit wonky ...

Indeed. I know my post might have sounded a bit snarky, but seriously - it's your brakes, you really rather need them to be working at all times!

Marky said:
Okay I might take it to the mechanics

Good good

Nomisf · 14 Jan 2011 at 14:58

I would agree with the above, something is causing your rear brake shoes to stick. The delay you are feeling when pressing the pedal is most probably as the brake cylinder extends though the gap, and then normal braking resumes when it touches the shoe. Equally when using the handbrake the slack is because there is no resistance when you first pull the lever.

Just a guess anyway, if you aren't comfortable pulling the rear drums apart - it should not be a long or expensive job for an experienced mechanic!