Handbrake not working on one side March 10, 2024, 06:48:41 PM The dreaded rear brake struggle.My 1988 1.8 8v had it's first MOT after being in storage for 7 years. It only failed on one thing. The handbrake wasn't catching enough on the drivers side. I have since had the caliper off and the arm the handbrake cable attaches to is moving freely. I've tried tightening up the cable and I have got it that the rear drivers side wheel turns slightly with extreme force turning the wheel by hand. But the passenger side doesn't turn at all.Is this most likely a caliper problem or possibly a stretched cable?Thanks.
Re: Handbrake not working on one side Reply #1 – March 11, 2024, 09:44:06 AM The handbrake mechanisms do seem to fail for a past time on those.I had a similar issue, swapped the calliper out and all was well again.
Re: Handbrake not working on one side Reply #2 – March 13, 2024, 10:27:09 PM They can take a bit of love to get them moving freely but once done you can upgrade the release spring to those for a Ford Granada. It's the same size but the coil is thicker, suggesting the spring has more force. This helps release the arm when you let the handbrake off. I did this in 2021 and haven't had any issues since: https://www.vwgolfmk2.co.uk/clubforum/index.php?topic=118.msg7942#msg7942
Re: Handbrake not working on one side Reply #3 – March 13, 2024, 10:55:23 PM Thanks for the replies. I have ordered a new rear caliper and will fit it sometime next week. I will update once I have this done. Hopefully that fixes it and I can get the car on the road after 7 years.
Topic: Handbrake not working on one side (Read 457 times)
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