Do you press the button when applying the handbrake?

[blueg33]

I was taught by my dad to push in the button on the handbrake when applying it to reduce wear on the ratchet. It also saves that horrible ratchety noise.

When I hear people's handbrake grating across the ratchet it makes me wince

What do you do?

[Bisonhead]

Why else is it there?

[rhinochopig]

There's a button? Well you learn something new every day.

[anonymous-user]

Of course I do. Although not right now as I've just changed to a car with an electronic handbrake

[Mikeyplum]

I dont, but then my handbrake is only one or two clicks I like it nice and tight (oooo err) :P

[blueg33]

doogz said:

I usually pull the button in, although unless I'm on a hill, with 2 of the cars, I'll only pull the handbrake up to the first tooth anyway.

But has anyone ever had to replace a handbrake handle because they've actually worn the ratchet mechanism out, to the point it no longer holds? Does this actually happen?

I have no idea if they actually wear, its what my dad taught me, so its ingrained

[englisharcher]

I never press it, I don't know why.

[anonymous-user]

englisharcher said:

I never press it, I don't know why.

We do

[R0G]

We have 3 AD examiners who hate the ratchet handbrake noise and its not rocket science to push the button, after all, we do to release it !!

I do agree with some of our fair sex that for the last notch or two it can be necessary to ratchet it for a firmer hold - take that in anyway you fell so desired to ......

[AndyNetwork]

Sometimes - but by no means all of the time.

[vixen1700]

blueg33 said:

When I hear people's handbrake grating across the ratchet it makes me wince

Yeah, this really. Button all the way for me.

[pimpchez]

Probably once in 4 1/2 yrs of driving , i just like the noise

[E38Ross]

blueg33 said:

doogz said:

I usually pull the button in, although unless I'm on a hill, with 2 of the cars, I'll only pull the handbrake up to the first tooth anyway.

But has anyone ever had to replace a handbrake handle because they've actually worn the ratchet mechanism out, to the point it no longer holds? Does this actually happen?

I have no idea if they actually wear, its what my dad taught me, so its ingrained

the hand brake on my old E21 was wearing and had play in it and was told it would need replacing eventually. 3 years later it was still fine

[Disastrous]

Bisonhead said:

Why else is it there?

Is it not to release the handbrake?

[Howard-]

I don't.

The button is there to release it. Some may argue that it's safer to ratchet it up without pressing the button to minimise the risk of it not latching properly. I don't partly because of this and partly because I simply don't believe it is necessary. It won't wear out.

[McSam]

Obviously..

Basic mechanical sympathy failure for those who do not.

[XJ40]

I'm a button man, the rachety noise is unseemly and doesn't seem mechanically sympathetic.

[V8LM]

With the fly-off handbrake I have to.

[VeeDub Geezer]

I normally pull the handle tight with button depressed, release button and raise one click on the rachet.

I have seen rachets wear to the point of needing replacement but it would seem it's certain cars that suffer more than others.

[rottie102]

blueg33 said:

I was taught by my dad to push in the button on the handbrake when applying it to reduce wear on the ratchet.

Did he also never adjust the radio volume to to reduce the wear on the knob?