Handbrake Oddness

Currently enjoying my 2006 Freelander 1. Have had ALL the fluids changed, ird, rear diff, gear box and engine and its had a full service too. Currently running well however one thing is really strange.

If the car is pointing up hill and I apply the handbrake it will hold on any slope with just the handbrake but if the car is facing downhill the car won't hold, it will be slowly moving.

Is this a common issue? If so whats generally the reason for it holding one direction but not the other?

Not too sure what it is causing that, my freelander 1 doesn't do it. In fact, the handbrake is the most impressive thing on my car. If it was mine, I'd be considering changing or cleaning the brake shoes.

Col

Yes indeed, its going in for the MOT tomorrow so will see what happens then but if they use the handbrake on a level surface its fine. I did see someone on here posted the same issue a while ago but got no reply.

Jay247 said:

Currently enjoying my 2006 Freelander 1. Have had ALL the fluids changed, ird, rear diff, gear box and engine and its had a full service too. Currently running well however one thing is really strange.

If the car is pointing up hill and I apply the handbrake it will hold on any slope with just the handbrake but if the car is facing downhill the car won't hold, it will be slowly moving.

Is this a common issue? If so whats generally the reason for it holding one direction but not the other?

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The rear brakes need stripping, cleaning, lubricating, replacing shoes and drums if shoe wear is uneven.

I'd go further and say replace the shoes and drums what ever - and make sure you replace the clips and possibly springs if they don't look right. Give the adjuster a good clean before reinstalling.

There's obviously an issue and if the rear brakes go you can lose all braking because if a shoe falls off the cylinder you can lose all hydraulic pressure. This is a reasonably regular report on here - maybe once every year or so. Its usually because 1 of the little clips has rusted holding a shoe in place. Probably not the reason for your brake problems, but as its new to you, I recon its always worth replacing the rear brakes.

The parts are really quite cheap. I also replaced the cylinders when I did mine (which are also cheap), however, in doing that you run the risk of damaging the short pipes they connect to which will then need replacing and are not so cheap. You'll also need to do a good bleed of the brakes if you replace the cylinders, but that's probably not such a bad thing on cars the age of F1's!

I used OEM cylinders, AllMakes drums, LR pack of springs/clips and Ferodo shoes (I believe they were Ferodo, they were a make that I recognised as being a brakes part supplier).

Mine had failed its WOF (MOT) on rear brake imbalance. I replaced the bits, which was a reasonably easy and enjoyable job, took it back and they were perfect.

Goof luck. If you're new to Freelanders, I'd have a read of this thread, might save you a lot of cash and/or your car...

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/tests-new-freelander-owners-should-do-on-their-car.312863/

Thanks for the input, it has the MOT tomorrow so will see what happens there. However even if it passes I am getting the garage to replace the rear shoes. I would do it myself but no garage and just a public car park with the weather currently isn't a lot of fun. Just didn't know if it was "one of those things" but doesn't seem like it is! May also explain the rather sketchy braking.

I did have a read of that guide. Very helpful

Jay247 said:

However even if it passes I am getting the garage to replace the rear shoes.

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If it's done more than 50K miles, then it'll need drums too. There's little point in replacing just the shoes, if the drum is worn.

Passed the MOT, no advisories. Funnily enough handbrake holds facing downhill now if I pull it up far enough. I am thinking just wear and tear. Currently gathering complete rear brake set including shoes/drums/springs and will get them changed

Its a good idea to take a pic once you get the drum off, so that you can compare when you've refitted it to make sure you've put everything in right.

Some people have managed to put things in the wrong way round and things don't work properly - like the self adjuster.

Thanks, going to get all the bits together and hope for a change in the weather! At times like this a garage would be handy!

Jay247 said:

At times like this a garage would be handy!

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I don't have a garage I can use to work on my Freelander either.

I do actually have a lovely garage with a pit and powerful lighting, but it's housing my Avenger while I restore it, and door frame isn't high enough for the Freelander to get in anyway.