Description
Hand brake won’t release Inspection
Hand brake won’t release Inspection Service
Your hand brake ensures that you’re able to park securely on an incline. It also ensures that you don’t have to rely on the parking gear of your transmission, as it’s possible for the transmission to slip, and then the car can roll. Most hand brakes are relatively simple, but they are subject to several potential problems that could leave you with a hand brake that won’t release.
How this system works:
Depending on the make and model you drive, you could have one of several different hand brake setups. There are multiple systems in current use. However, they all share a few basic characteristics.
When you pull up the hand brake handle (sometimes called parking or emergency brake), that motion engages a cable or pair of cables depending on the car in question. If you have two cables, one goes to each rear wheel. If you have only a single cable, it will run to a “splitter” somewhere near the back of the car, which will then split into two cables, with one running to each rear wheel.
That cable is what engages the hand brake. Disengaging the hand brake requires a return spring on each drum or calliper (this varies significantly from one car to another). Then the return springs are engaged, the hand brake disengages, and the cable returns to its normal position (this occurs when you put the hand brake handle down).
Common reasons for this to happen:
- Corroded Hand Brake Cable: Hand brake cables are subject to rust and damage. They’re exposed to the elements, and even a little bit of corrosion can be enough to cause your hand brake not to disengage. It’s also possible for other problems to mimic this condition, including ice forming during winter.
- Damaged Return Springs: Over time, your return springs wear. Once they lose enough strength, they won’t be able to disengage the hand brake. It’s also possible for a return spring to be damaged, bent or even broken.
- Rear Caliper Pivot Arm Seized: Both rear callipers have pivot arms that play a role in engaging and disengaging your hand brake. If these are seized, your brake may not disengage.
- Stuck Caliper: If your car has rear disc brakes, it’s possible that a stuck caliper is to blame. Again, this will depend greatly on the make and model you drive, as some cars that use rear disc brakes don’t use the calliper to actuate the emergency brakes.
What to expect:
A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to inspect the hand brake system, including the cable, the springs, the callipers and more. The mechanic will then provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.
How it’s done:
The mechanic will inspect all aspects of your hand brake system, including the handle, the cable assembly, the cable itself, the return springs, the callipers if necessary and more. It may be necessary for the mechanic to remove one or both rear wheels, as well as the drums/discs and callipers to access the hand brake.
How important is this service?
If your hand brake will not disengage, you cannot drive the car. Driving will overheat the brakes and damage the hand brake, as well as the rotor. One of our professional mechanics can come to your location and assess the situation, and then repair the parking brake so you can get back on the road once more.
