Handrake ratchet not catching

[Flat 6]

Morning all,

Working through a few minor jobs on my SIII today, alternator change, new front exhaust section and handbrake not staying on.

On the handbrake, anyone had this problem before? I'm hoping it is just clogged up and ratchet is just stuck. Handbrake works fine when lever pulled and button springs back out.

Do I go at this from chassis side? Looks like easiest access is via seat box?

Cheers,

Al

 

[tottot]

Yes go from the seat box center plate. Clean and a tad of lube may do it. Could be ratchet itself worn or the pawl that catches in it has gone/worn.
When learning to drive a long time ago I was taught to pull brake up with thumb on button and then release. Today one hears many just "rasping" the lever up causing it to wear.

 

[Anaconda]

Yes go from the seat box center plate. Clean and a tad of lube may do it. Could be ratchet itself worn or the pawl that catches in it has gone/worn.
When learning to drive a long time ago I was taught to pull brake up with thumb on button and then release. Today one hears many just "rasping" the lever up causing it to wear.

You would be lucky to find a vehicle with a hand brake lever now.

 

[tottot]

Plenty of older vehicles around here.
Had a look at an electric job the other day, just an electric servo motor pulling on cables. Another thing to go wrong so folk do not learn how to hill start using the hand brake!

 

[Anaconda]

Learning to drive must be a breeze nowadays. My Golf has an electric motor on each brake caliper to apply the handbrake. Sure it will be considerably more expensive to fix than adjusting or replacing a cable.

Plenty of older vehicles around here.
Had a look at an electric job the other day, just an electric servo motor pulling on cables. Another thing to go wrong so folk do not learn how to hill start using the hand brake!

 

[Flat 6]

Thanks all,

Nice quick job, went in from underneath and some injector release spray soon had the movement released again. While I was under there I noticed that the return spring had worn away so nice new spring on as well.

Now onto alternator change.

Cheers,

Al

 

[Wildefalcon]

Yes go from the seat box center plate. Clean and a tad of lube may do it. Could be ratchet itself worn or the pawl that catches in it has gone/worn.
When learning to drive a long time ago I was taught to pull brake up with thumb on button and then release. Today one hears many just "rasping" the lever up causing it to wear.

I hate that noise. A fancy, shiny, slick car pulls up and then makes a gross farting sound. So poor.

 

[Shedload]

Yep, hate those electric handbrakes. I said that to the salesman when we test drove the wife's Zafira.
He said, after a while you will never want to go back to manual handbrake.
Well, I hate them even more now ! Especially since Mrs borrowed daughters Citroen and drove home with the handbrake on.
Completely forgetting to use the lever.
I always taught the kids to use the button. Horrible sound of lever being yanked up.
And, whilst on the subject, sort of.
I had the handbrake spring snap on my Series 2, many years ago. I was just locking the door, when TWANG !.
It started to roll and I managed to open door and grab the handle up sharpish.
Ever since I always park in gear, no matter what I'm driving.