[Mk2] [NA] Brake problem

[MR2HOT]

Well im guessing this freezing weather has had something to do with this problem which is i get into the car this morning and start up, release the handbrake and while reversing the car seems to not want to move much at all, im guessing i may have a stuck on caliper? do you think when i released the handbrake the cable snapped therefore keeping the caliper on? do these cars have handbrake cables? Also from inside the car the handbrake feels wobbly and as though its not doing anything when i pull it up as in theres no resistance when pulling it just lifts up easily do you think its a snapped cable? sorry but i dont know too much about the mr2 yet so any advice would be good or if anyone else has had this problem.

I dont know if this has anything to do with it either but for about a week now i have heard a squeeking type noise coming from the wheels and am guessing the brake pads are low and the wear indicator is rubbing making the noise so i have ordered up some new front pads, but do you think this would have anything to do with the problem?

Cheers.

[Peter Gidden]

Most likely a handbrake cable.

Happens every winter. I've just replaced one this morning.

[MR2HOT]

cheers for the reply, is it a hard job to do on my drive myself and do i need any particular tools?

[Peter Gidden]

Easy enough. Pliers to remove clevis pin. 10mm socket for undertrays and cable retaining brackets, and 12mm spanners for adjusting cable after fitting.

Make sure you get the right cable. There are two: Rev1 and Rev2-5.

[MR2HOT]

Thanks for the advice mate i shall jack the car up and take a look and report back how i get on.

Cheers.

[MR2HOT]

Well i thought i would try throwing some very hot water over the calipers first berfore jacking the car up and this seems to have freed off the stuck brakes. Been reading that this is a common problem on these cars and not to use the handbrake during the winter and instead to leave it in gear, so i think this is what i will do for the time being but i think i will replace the cables with new ones as im guessing there shot anyway allowing them to freeze but for now i think the brakes are free and ill just leave it in gear.

[Peter Gidden]

Handrake cables and calipers were designed to work all year round. And they do if they are in perfect working order.

[Canopus]

This is typically caused by water getting into the handbrake cable due to failure of the rubber bellows, by the calipers. In cold weather it freezes and you can't release the handbrake.

It also causes corrosion and therefore stiffness in the handbrake for the same reason.

The only real solution is to replace the cables which is not really a hard job. I seem to recall there may be a "how to" on the knowledge base. The only problem I had was some of the screws holding the under trays on had corroded, but it's not a really big problem.

I was able to reach mine just by driving the car up on some bricks on one side back and front which just gave me enough room.

Good luck.

Geoff

[MR2HOT]

Thanks for the replies guys its appreciated. I will definately replace the cables at some point once we get a bit of warmer weather. I have some new brake pads due in the post anytime now so i may tackle it at the same time i replace the pads.

[alanmr2turbo]

i just leave handbrake off and in gear but then my car is on a flat drive