Rubbish Handbrake

McKneff

Inactive is correct Sarah, you are driving with defective brakes,

BillTrac

Funnily enough( well not really very funny) but the company I used to work for used Vauxhalls, and they sent round a memo stating that all cars parked on an incline were not to be using the handbrake only as several had come off and caused accidents.

daveyjp

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

What does the brake fluid have to do with the parking mechanism, apart from nothing at all?

It potentially has a lot to do with it if the problem is down to a brake cylinder failure.

There is a problem with the rear brakes. The OP and yourself seem to think this is only a problem when using the handbrake, it isn't.

goldspanners

daveyjp wrote: »

It potentially has a lot to do with it if the problem is down to a brake cylinder failure.

There is a problem with the rear brakes. The OP and yourself seem to think this is only a problem when using the handbrake, it isn't.

The brake cylinders do not actuate the parking brake.
the parking brake is a mechanical system, its applied via cables and a mechanism inside the rear drums.
the cylinders are operated when using the service brake.

tomstickland

daveyjp wrote: »

So you are knowlingly driving a car with defective brakes? Never wait for an MOT to find out what's wrong. Get it into a reputable garage tomorrow and get it sorted out.

As a starter when was the brake fluid last changed?

Brake fluid has nothing to do with hand brake.

mcspanna

I have an astra (2000 I think) and it has, on seversal occasions needed the handbrake tightening whilst it's been in for service/mot - I'm not mechanically minded at all but it appears to be something fairly straightforward as per post #2 as I've never been aware of excessive labour/parts charges or the car needing to stay in the garage for longer etc.

HTH

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

daveyjp wrote: »

It potentially has a lot to do with it if the problem is down to a brake cylinder failure.

There is a problem with the rear brakes. The OP and yourself seem to think this is only a problem when using the handbrake, it isn't.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

peaz

There was something on Watchdog about a year ago about defective handbreaks on Vauxhalls. We have a Vectra and you do need to give the handbreak a hefty pull to put it on.

Treadway1

I had this problem with my car. It was bad last year, but just passed, and then it obivously got worse this year as it failed. I think the efficiency level must be 17% I think, so to fail it must have been pretty inefficient!!! :eek:

Mine was due to the rear brake caliper seizing up (I think). My mate whos a mechanic tried to free it up, (as apparently sometimes you can) but because Id left it so long, it had seized up comnpletely and had to have the whole mechanism changed. Luckily not that expensive as my mate did it for cost. But its obviously something you need to get sorted now, before you end up in the same situation as I was.

Also, Im not sure if Im allowed to advertise or plug businesses so if not then someone please tell me, but as you say you live in Essex, depending on exactly where, I would highly recommend the Beam Test Centre on the old A13, Just by the Ford Dagenham Motors plant. I should point out that I dont work for, work with or have any affiliation with this company, but I have used them for years and they have always been fair, and honest about repairs, so they wont be looking to stitch you up with uneeded repairs. They will also keep your details and phone you a week before your MOT is due next year, which is handy when youre as forgetful as me!!!

hewhoisnotintheknow

i never trust the handbrakes on cars now, after an audi rolled away from me!