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juno · Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 8:48 pm Post subject: Hand Brake Problem

Hi,

I am having a problem with my handbrake. Sometimes it will come on fine, then sometimes the handle pulls all the way up and the brake is hardly on.

It has been to a garage, who replaced both the hand brake cables and an expander, £300 later it's still the same.

The handle does not seem damadged in any way.

What should I look for next?

many thanks,
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1980 924 Turbo RHD. 3" > 2.5" Stainless straight-through exhaust.

bass gt · Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 11:56 pm Post subject:

Check the rachet mechanism on the handle. My one was shot, and did exactly what you describe. So i threw it away. Forever.

juno · Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 9:15 pm Post subject:

Hi bass gt,

I should have said the ratchet has already been replaced with a new part. Are there no other adjustment places apart from near the handle.

thanks,
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1980 924 Turbo RHD. 3" > 2.5" Stainless straight-through exhaust.

Smoothie · Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 2:18 am Post subject:

The other adjustment is at the rear brakes. Adjust there (with the e-brake handle completely released) until you feel the brake shoes just starting to drag on the drums, then back off just enough to allow free-wheeling again. Then re-do the adjustment at the lever if needed.
My best guess is that you're so far out of adjustment to the loose side that during those times you feel the e-brake engaging, it's actually one of the cable connection points (either at the lever or at the wheel/s) catching by the tip of the hook instead of at the bottom of the hook as it should.
I'm assuming that your ratcheting mechanism is working fine - A problem with the earlier e-brake lever is that they can bend, then there's enough room inside the lever for the spring-loaded ratcheting piece (the "pawl") to misalign and not engage the teeth or to engage, then slip off to the side. Point being - new ratchet parts don't gaurantee a good result - the lever itself has to be in good shape to hold the internal parts in alignment.
_________________
"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

juno · Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 4:22 am Post subject:

thank you Smoothie, as ever you were 100% correct. the handle does not look damadged initially, it looks as if it's supposed to be bent when on its own. Putting it side by side with a new one shows it is.
_________________
1980 924 Turbo RHD. 3" > 2.5" Stainless straight-through exhaust.