Fearing the worst

[daved]

Been putting off asking this question for a few weeks as I think I'm not going to be too chuffed with the answer. Deep breath and here goes....

As my drive is on a slope with a nasty ridge towards the bottom, reversing the wedge out of the garage is a bit of a performance with plenty of to-ing and fro-ing backwards and forwards. When I brake in reverse and release the brake to roll back, nothing happens - i'm stuck. Only after I've edged forwards slightly can I roll back again. Same happens if I stop using the handbrake or if I'm on a flat surface.

No idea what the problem is, but I'm hoping it's a brake thing and nothing more complicated.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Cheers.

[danny hoffman]

Sounds like something is jamming in reverse - have you checked all the pad retaining pins etc are in place and the caliper mounting bolts are tight.

Another possibility is that the rear disks are delaminating and are jamming on the pads. Great chunks of metal have disappeard from my rear disks. I am waiting for the UJs to go and I will replace them while it's in bits!

[Nacnud]

Can't say I've ever noticed this problem...

[grady]

Wow, you have a parking brake that actually works!

[jmorgan]

Hand brake calipers not releasing properly?

[sevans]

Could it be the valve that restricts the amount of rear braking under heavy braking. Having stripped one of these down it contains a large 'Ball Bearing' which may be closing if you are on a slope.

[shpub]

Another possibility is that the rear disks are delaminating and are jamming on the pads. Great chunks of metal have disappeard from my rear disks. I am waiting for the UJs to go and I will replace them while it's in bits!

I had this happen and a bit jammed in the calliper and I ended up doing a perfect handbrake turn. Fortunately I was sprinting at the time. worth sorting out now rather than waiting.

[Nacnud]

grady said: Wow, you have a parking brake that actually works!

---

Sometimes they do that Sir!

Once when I was moving the car by pushing, I stopped it by reaching in and using the handbrake; there was a general silence from behind me until someone spoke up "Your handbrake works!". That was the first I knew that TVR handbrakes aren't supposed to work.

[cirks]

doing a perfect handbrake turn. Fortunately I was sprinting at the time.

You mean your other spins aren't perfect Steve ? ;-)

[daved]

Thanks guys. Something for me to look at over the next few weeks.

I'd no idea that working handbrakes are such a rarity. You'll be telling me that the headlights are unreliable next.

[grady]

Actually my kids (who have been spoiled by cars and boats with proper grab-handles) thought my brake handle was a funky place to hang on as old dad slip-slides around. Mind you, since the 12 year old can only just now see over the sides, learning to keep a nautical "one hand for the ship and one for yourself" grip was a sensible choice.