Handbrake

**jdw88rm** · 20-01-2014,09:00 PM

Hi guys,

Had my 1.9tdi two weeks now and loving it but found the handbrake really isn't great. The car creaks and is easily rolled with minimal effort. Is this a common fault and how much a I looking a to get repaired/replaced?
Many thanks!

Jon

**zollaf** · 20-01-2014,09:04 PM

no, not a common fault. yours has a problem and needs fixing. cost depends what is wrong. could be worn pads and/or discs, pads siezed in caliper, caliper slide bolts stuck, or cables no good, or calipers siezed. so worst case is new pads, discs, carriers, calipers and cables, which will be loads, best is and hours worth of labour to clean it all up and unsieze some stuck pads.

**spartacus 68** · 21-01-2014,12:04 AM

Agree with zollaf. What I would do is to renew the rear piston seals. Audi do a kit which includes rubber dust sleeve and new caliper 'o' ring. You'll need a brake wind back tool. I'd also the lube cylinder bore with Lockheed red grease and the slide pins. Bleed brakes on completion (good opportunity to renew the fluid) which should be done every 2 years.

The handbrake does stretch over time and the ends are known to fray. Check condition as a matter of course and replace where necessary. A full dismantle and rebuild works wonders.

**jdw88rm** · 24-01-2014,03:31 PM

Just checked rear pads and both sides are very worn opposed to the fronts. Could this be the problem?

**zollaf** · 24-01-2014,03:49 PM

no, the pads and handbrake self adjust to compensate for wear. it could however be pointing to another problem , maybe something i mentioned earlier. your only option is to strip it down and see whats what, but if the pads are worn, replace them.

**mikeybutch** · 24-01-2014,06:50 PM

The back pads don't wear quickly.Do you know when they were last changed?I agree that theres likely to be a problem with the calipers which could be sticking.A careful check after use can tell if they seem to be too hot

**jdw88rm** · 24-01-2014,07:01 PM

No idea when they were last changed and there's no grinding, smell and heat coming off them after a drive?

**mikeybutch** · 24-01-2014,08:40 PM

So they are probably sticking off and you need to investigate why.If they are not warm after a drive it doesn't seem that you have much rear braking of any kind.When was the MOT?