You have 2 handbrake cables going to each of the rear wheels.

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often the cables seize.

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and thus creates a large amount of slack in the front cable as there is no cable movement.

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which is the one you pull on with the handbrake.

Possible problems in the caliper being seized in the sliders too.

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pull off caliper, check, clean, grease.

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The caliper end may also be maladjusted.

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where the cable meets the caliper.

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the mechanism maybe in the

"handbrake on" position where its designed to protrude the piston towards the disc applying clamping force.

Check the calipers first.

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should be able to get a socket on the handbrake mechanism to aggrivate it working again

( spring loaded section

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if it doesn't budge.

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resistance from the cable.

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disconnect the cable and see if it will then work.

Caliper fine, change the cable.
