Handbrake stuck on!!!

[mikey76]

Hi guys, need some help with my latest chimaera, i parked it on my driveway today, which has a steep slope,and pulled the handbrake on 2 clicks, however now i cannot release it at all so its stuck on my drive!! Ive pulled and pushed it as much as i can, even had 2 people at the same time pulling it up and pushing the button but i just wont release!! Any ideas?

[Jammy Dodger]

Silly question but have you tried releasing it with your foot hard down on the (foot) brake pedal ?

[mikey76]

Yep done that,but it didnt help.

[Jammy Dodger]

Umm, get some help to hold the weight of the car against the slope and try again ?

[alex_gray255]

This may or may not be relevant. I have had a similar thing happen on my Sag and Tuscan in the past. The trick is to push the brake handle horizonally away from you when you try to disengage it. Apparently the position of the hand brake means it gets bent overtime as you usually pull it towards you when you pull the brake on.

So, you simply push it back the other way and it goes down fine.

As I said, this was with the later cars so may not be relevant to the Chim, but can't hurt to try...

[mikey76]

Had my Mrs at the front trying to push against it, however shes 5"4 and 8 stone!!

[Alexdaredevilz]

Join a gym

[Jammy Dodger]

Alexdaredevilz said:

Join a gym

..... Says mr 10 stone

[alex_gray255]

Does the button pop out ok from the hand brake or is that stuck in as well?

[Alexdaredevilz]

Jammy Dodger said:

..... Says mr 10 stone

11!

[Jammy Dodger]

Alexdaredevilz said:

11!

Yeah but take off the 10% over reading !

[TVR Beaver]

Has someone replaced the button with a ali one?.. if so, check the washers in the right place (even on the std unit) ie.. washer / spring / button... mine was spring / washer / button... I took mine in bits before I realised it was the washer that had popped out sideways and was stopping the button pushing in!

[mikey76]

Yes it does feel like the buttons not pushing in all the way, its got the Leven handbrake fitted,how do i remove the button?

[Englishman]

The button unscrews - might need a strap to undo without marking if tight.

[Alexdaredevilz]

Maybe the leven cover has slipped, I'm sure there 2x grub screws to remove the sleeve,

Then try again

[mikey76]

Sorted,took it all apart and put some extra washers under the button and that sorted it.

[Jammy Dodger]

mikey76 said:

Sorted,took it all apart and put some extra washers under the button and that sorted it.

jolly good

[Flintstone]

Have you told the Mrs she can let go now?

[TVR Beaver]

mikey76 said:

Sorted,took it all apart and put some extra washers under the button and that sorted it.

Good... I had mine on the bench before I realised the washers and springs and buttons were not working right.. what could have been 5 mins turned into an afternoon of messing.. still, I know whats under the tunnel cover now and gave me a chance to grease the gear stick links etc

[spend]

Why do you have that crane thingy on the gearbox John? Are T5's that heavy to change gear