Handbrake, cost to tighten?

dopester

If parking on a slope, I alway use the handbrake (applied firmly) - and put the car in gear.

Leaving it in gear is another mechanism to use, to stop a rolling away.

cowbutt

Apples2 wrote: »

I have no idea about Ka's but the Mk3 Mondeo's had handbrake problems the same as that described by the OP.

The Mondeo hadbrake applied pressure directly to the rear disks the same as the normal footbrake.

When the handbrake was applied it held the car okay on a hill. Once the brake disk cools down it contracts, so the braking force holding the car is reduced, this led to the car rolling away.

I believe they fixed it but the temporary solution was to push the footbrake down whilst pulling the handbrake on (because your foot can apply much more pressure to the brake disk).

It made a lot of sence and something I continued to do whilst parking on a hill (until I get shot of the money pit)

I read that the fix for the Mondeo's handbrake was to modify the ratchet so that it didn't start clicking until much higher in its range of travel (i.e. when the handbrake was properly applied).

I do as you do and apply the handbrake with the footbrake firmly applied, as advised in the manual.

To the OP, check your manual for advice.