Question for long term SORN'ers (handbrakes)

TrickyWicky

Hey gang..

Got a car on the drive, it's been SORN'd for at least 3.5 years and was also SORN'd for a year 6 months before that too!

Now knowing that hand brakes can start to seize up, I left the hand brake off and the gear shift in P (yes it's an auto). When I move it around the hand brake still appears to work effectively but I have no way of testing like the MOT centre.

So my question really is can I expect it to still be working efficiently after 4 or so years at the MOT test or am I looking to replace the calipers?

Many thanks,

TW

Richard53

If I am leaving the car for a while (same for the caravan), I leave it with the handbrake off and never have a problem. It depends on how the handbrake works (cable or levers, drum or disc, etc) but I would think if it is free when you move the car around and holds it when it is stopped, it is working OK.


The MoT test seems to concentrate more on the method of applying the brake (lever, ratchet etc) than the actual brake efficiency, so as long as it holds the car on a slope, I'd say it was OK.


http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_310.htm

Iceweasel

You don't say what car this is, or tell us if it has rear disc brakes or not.

But you mention calipers.

Cars with rear discs normally have a small set of brake-shoes solely for the parking/hand-brake in a drum usually part of the rear hub.

IIRC there are some quirky designs (possibly French) that have the hand brake work the pads in the calipers but they would be a rarity.

Rolandtheroadie

Will the handbrake not still be shoes even with rear discs/calipers?

I'd just put it in for MOT and see how it goes. MOT helper once told me to check, you go to somewhere with gravel and apply the handbrake. If both wheels lock, the balance should be fine.

TrickyWicky

Richard53 wrote: »

If I am leaving the car for a while (same for the caravan), I leave it with the handbrake off and never have a problem. It depends on how the handbrake works (cable or levers, drum or disc, etc) but I would think if it is free when you move the car around and holds it when it is stopped, it is working OK.

I knew I'd forget something important lol..

Discs and cables!

It'sa rare french beast so little point in me mentioning the make / model as it won't really mean anything to anyone.

Iceweasel wrote: »

You don't say what car this is, or tell us if it has rear disc brakes or not.

But you mention calipers.

Cars with rear discs normally have a small set of brake-shoes solely for the parking/hand-brake in a drum usually part of the rear hub.

IIRC there are some quirky designs (possibly French) that have the hand brake work the pads in the calipers but they would be a rarity.

Well this is that rarity! Yes it uses disk brakes and yes the handbrake activates the brake pads in the caliper (a real pain when changing the caliper too).

So according to Richard53 I've at least done right leaving the hand brake off - thats good at least! :beer:

forgotmyname

I think Iceweasel got that backwards. Most car manufacturers operate the rear handbrake by the calipers.

Some cars use a combination of shoes also like Volvo is one also. Some Kia's may have shoes unside the discs.

Other oddball SAAB who hand the handbrake on the front wheels.

TrickyWicky

scotsman4th wrote: »

MOT helper once told me to check, you go to somewhere with gravel and apply the handbrake. If both wheels lock, the balance should be fine.

Little tricky when it's sorn with no tax, mot or insurance lol

Stoke

I hate to sound stupid here, but is a 100% efficient handbrake even an MOT defectable item? My handbrake has been crap for a couple of years and has never failed. Don't get me wrong, it holds the car just about on a flat or slight slope, but I have to pull it on pretty tight and on a really serious incline it won't hold it at all. I just leave it in gear out of habit.

Richard53

Stoke wrote: »

I hate to sound stupid here, but is a 100% efficient handbrake even an MOT defectable item?

I don't think so. According to the MoT manual, the lever must be secure without excessive play, must hold in the 'on' position, must not be able to be released accidentally, the ratchet must work correctly, the lever must not be at the end of its travel, there must not be inappropriate repairs or modifications, and there must not be corrosion around the mountings. Nothing that I can see about brake efficiency or balance.


That's a shame really, as my understanding of the C&U Regs is that the handbrake must constitute a separate braking system in case of the total failure of the service brake. But I'm probably well out of date there.

InsideInsurance

Out of curiosity, the above all seems to be tests about the actual handbrake lever itself, what are the tests for those cars with electronic hand/parking brakes where theres either just a button or its automatic?

AdrianC

TrickyWicky wrote: »

It'sa rare french beast so little point in me mentioning the make / model as it won't really mean anything to anyone

Oh, you would be very surprised - and you've got me seriously intrigued now...

But the major problem with "handbrake seizure" on unused vehicles is from the friction material rusting to the drum/disc. I moved the VW camper drive-ornaments the other day, first time in a few months. One of them had been left with the handbrake on, and it took a bit of clutch persuasion to move. Then, CRACK, CRACK, it came. The other - parked longer - had been left in gear, and just moved like it'd been parked yesterday.