Dangerous Handbrake!!!!!!!!

Carly · Post by **Carly** » Sat Mar 15, 2003 11:27 pm

I parked my 5 month old cc on the slight hill outside my boyfriends house (where i dont usually parK). 20 minutes later a neighbour knocks on the door to tell me my car is rolling down the hill. It landed at the bottom in bush/fence with bumper and right wing damage and scratches. After experimenting the next day on another hill find the handbrake to be extemely weak. Took it to the dealer the next day who did admit the handbrake was loser than it should be but was down to 'wear and tear'!!!! They tightened the handbrake but would not pay for the damage on my bodywork. I am totally disgusted, should wear and tear on a 5 month old car include the handbrake failing? Has anybody else had any problems?

andrew · Post by **andrew** » Sun Mar 16, 2003 12:54 am

not sure ..... but might be a good idea in future to leave in gear when parked and point the wheel slightly into the direction of the kirb so it wont roll so far (when on a hill).

Biscuit · Post by **Biscuit** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 8:30 pm

I had something similar when filling up at a petrol pump. I started filling and then the car, front wheels on start of an incline, started rolling backwards. Thought maybe I had forgotten to put the handbrake on (well, blame myself first!) but when looked it was on and nice and secure. Bit scarey and makes me think I should mention it on 6,000 mile service - mine is currently only 3 months old.

Paul Gray · Post by **Paul Gray** » Mon Mar 31, 2003 8:58 pm

This has happened to me on a few occasions with various cars. The reason is fairly straight forward when you think about it. After a time you become happy with how much hand brake you need! On a few occasions I have applied the handbrake the same amount then come back an hour or so later and found the car at the bottom of the hill. The cause is due to the fact that I've put on the handbrake when the brakes were hot. After the cool down everything contracts just enough to allow the car to roll down the hill.
So Carly can you honestly say that in your haste to see your boyfriend is it possible that you may have caused the brakes to heat up slightly!
Consequently it is advisable with any car to put the car in gear when you park on a hill - and I would also advise turn the wheels towards the pavement.

Alex LS · Post by **Alex LS** » Mon Mar 31, 2003 10:10 pm

Which is why it's less likely on cars with drum brakes on the rear - the drum contracts onto the shoes wheras the disc contracts away from the pads.

slimgym · Post by **slimgym** » Mon Mar 31, 2003 11:02 pm

Does the CC's h/brake actuate the pads? I've had cars wiht rear discs before which had a small central drum which was just for the h/brake. I must admit I wasn't that impressed with the CC's h/brake either.

Mr_AWOL · Post by **Mr_AWOL** » Mon Mar 31, 2003 11:56 pm

The company mondeo has an AMAZING handbrake - real top quality!

Shame its on a s

ty Ford really

Oops had to come back and edit the swears - sorry anyone who got offended in the couple of seconds it was uncensored

burger · Post by **burger** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:11 pm

I had a problem with our 206cc's handbrake. You had to pull it really, really tight for it to be engaged. We took it back to the garage where we bought it from and they said it was normal from this kind of sports car, to which I thought was rubbish. So I got then to tighten it anyway. A few months down the line and it's still the same.

So what we have to do now if we park on a hill is put the handbrake on as tight as possible and leave it in first gear.

Post by **GrandadMonkey** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:44 pm

Correct. Turn the front wheels towards the kerb too.

Ron

Davidwil · Post by **Davidwil** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 6:54 pm

Has anyone experienced problems with the rubber covering of the handbrake cable physically making contact with the inside rim of the rear wheels - making a clicking noise which gets faster with speed.

Have looked under car and cannot work out why the handbrake cable is so close to both back wheels. Should there be some sort of retaining clip holding it away.

AlexMc · Post by **AlexMc** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 11:39 am

The rear calipers are standard fit across a lot of French cars going right back to 205's right up to the current Clio's. The handbrake cable does actuate the pads and no other machanism.

Handbrakes have been slackening off as they cool ever since they were first fitted to cars back in the 50's. You'd be best to check that the rear discs aren't worn too much as this will cause them to heat up even more.

Alex