13 replies to this topic

[Jim_Cross]

Went to go out in my car earlier and, for the first time in almost 3 years, I had a problem that meant I couldn't drive the car My brakes always stick a bit when I leave the car for a while, but this time the handbrake has seriously seized, so I can release it, and the handbrake feels loose, but the brake is still applied. Bugger. Had a quick search, and it looks like those who have had this before have had to replace the actual cable (at extortionate cost from Vauxhall). Is it likely that I'm going to have to replace the cable? Also, is there an easy way I can release the handbrake so that I can my baby to a garage? Cheers, Jim

[h8ten]

I had this but it was not the handbrake on my car. I leave the handbrake off when parked in the garage and just leave it in gear [previous experience of a handbrake sticking on]. What had happened to mine, I think, was because the car had been laid up for a few weeks the brake pads had stuck to the discs. It took a bit of persuasion in first and reverse gear to finally free them and even then one was still stuck until I got the car out the garage so I had left a trail of rubber in the garage but not from a fast take off.

[ianrm]

Was just about to suggest the reverse/forward method. I never leave my handbrake on when the car is parked up at home.

[christurbo]

Its your pads sticking to the disks. You can either try and rock it to unsieze the brakes - try and drive it, or take each wheel off and knock the disks with a rubber mallet.

[Thorney]

I'd say its a bit more serious than just a pad/disk. On Jase' car the caliper itself had siezed and needed replacing, along with the handbrake cable (which is £80 on its own). Jase managed to get a econd hand one so worth a go. Try removing it and literally leaving it in a solution of brake cleaner, might loosen it enough to get it working again.

[christurbo]

Ouch! When I first owned my Elise I went away for 2 weeks and left the handbrake on Took alot of rocking/moving/banging to free it! Ive learned my lesson.

[Jim_Cross]

I'd say its a bit more serious than just a pad/disk. On Jase' car the caliper itself had siezed and needed replacing, along with the handbrake cable (which is £80 on its own). Jase managed to get a econd hand one so worth a go. Try removing it and literally leaving it in a solution of brake cleaner, might loosen it enough to get it working again.

Thanks everyone.

Removing the caliper? Me?

Given that my mechanical knowledge is next to zero, and that I don't think I can jack the car up at home (driveway isn't flat)...any suggestions on how to either get it to a garage, or get someone to sort it here?
Unfortunately my AA membership doesn't include homestart

Ah feck it, I'll just get shafted by AA and upgrade to Homestart. Time to bend over...

Edited by Jim_Cross, 12 March 2006 - 10:15 AM.

[Anarchy]

To see if the cable is seized get someone operate the handbrake lever and see if there is any movement at the caliper lever. If you suspect the cable you can snip it at the caliper end to release the brake.

Mine had totally rusted solid inside the cable on one side, never really noticed until MOT time. The outer casing had rubbed on somthing and then let water in over time.

New cable for Elise fits, I got one from Stratton motor company for about £25 I think.

I started a thread called ELISE PARTS THAT FIT THE VX Check it out.

[Jim_Cross]

And the lesson to learn today is...don't listen to Thorney AA man came out within 30 minutes, took a quick look, rocked it back and forwards by hand for a bit, then told me to go and drive it. Turns out the combination of relatively low rear pads and all the salt on the roads had just corroded the discs more, so it was just a case of the pads sticking to the discs really badly So, £82.50 to upgrade to Homestart...for no reason Kinda hoping my battery runs flat or something now, just so I get something out of it

[i need nos]

i only use the handbrake if im parked on a hill, otherwise just leave it in gear as the vaux manual says to do... i been doin this for over 3 years.......

[Purebob]

My rears lock on everytime I park up dry after driving in the rain. A rock forward and back releases them. I think I might need new pads though, 17k on them now.

[Jim_Cross]

My rears lock on everytime I park up dry after driving in the rain. A rock forward and back releases them. I think I might need new pads though, 17k on them now.

Mine do that too...but usually when that happens once they release and you're moving, you get a brief period of rubbing sound, then everything's fine.
This time they stayed bound even after I'd driven up and down the driveway several times

[dw1]

Does parking on a hill in gear without the handbrake put too much strain on the gearbox??

[christurbo]

And the lesson to learn today is...don't listen to Thorney  

AA man came out within 30 minutes, took a quick look, rocked it back and forwards by hand for a bit, then told me to go and drive it.
Turns out the combination of relatively low rear pads and all the salt on the roads had just corroded the discs more, so it was just a case of the pads sticking to the discs really badly 

So, £82.50 to upgrade to Homestart...for no reason 
Kinda hoping my battery runs flat or something now, just so I get something out of it

Ahem -

Ouch!

When I first owned my Elise I went away for 2 weeks and left the handbrake on 

Took alot of rocking/moving/banging to free it!


Ive learned my lesson. 

Edited by christurbo, 13 March 2006 - 05:44 PM.