Handbrake Issue

Joe_Horner

Horizon81 wrote: »

I thought they were separate systems but there does seem to be some conflict with them.

If I just apply the handbrake when stationery it pulls up and grips fine. However sometimes - only when I've got my foot firmly on the footbrake - when I pull the handbrake up, it bites so far then loses a bit of tension - it's almost as if it's snapped but then you pull it more and it tensions up again. It only seems to do this when I've got the footbrake on, so I can't fathom out what's going on!!!

Drum brakes tend to "self-servo". As the drum moves against the friction material it tends to pull the brake on a little more - effectively the leading edges "dig in" and the shoe tries to rotate around its trailing mounting, forcing the leading edge harder against the drum.

So, if you stop on a hilll with the foot brake applied then, as you release it (with the handbrake applied), the shoes will tend to pull harder against the drum, which allows the lever to lift a little more. I've never known it be enough to add a couple of clicks to the lever but would imagine it could if the shoes were worn a little unevenly or one was getting sticky.

Presumably, when you're applying it without using the footbrake, you're on fairly level ground so wouldn't necessarily notice if it didn't pull on further because the car isn't rolling.