So, how do you make the handbrake work?

[jon h]

All in the thread title really... I am currently replacing disks all round, and the handbrake drum surface was pretty poor, so the new disks may do the trick, but is there a secret to getting the handbrake to work? I had to do a hill start in reverse the other week, with a car less than a foot in front of me and it was a complete nightmare. Stalled twice and generally looked a tw@t trying not to roll into the car in front. There must be an easier way, and as I am overhauling the brakes, now is the time to get stuck in and fix it.

Jon H

[kojak]

Mines as much use as a chocolate teapot also. I always leave it in gear.

Some cars have good handbrakes and some dont. I make sure I dont park on a hill...which is sometimes diffecult in Sheffield.

[Extra 300 Driver]

Mine works really well. I think Steve did a mod which sorted out the issues.

[richb]

I have a Griff not a Cerbera but one of the common mistakes on the Griff is to adjust the cable to tight which means that the brake is on fully after only 2 clicks. It's better to allow for 3 or 4 clicks which gives you more leverage when pulling it on.

[hjb15]

kojak said:

Mines as much use as a chocolate teapot also.

the previous owner of my Cerb warned me that the handbrakes on Cerbs & Tuscans we as much use as "tits on a fish"
and even after a service the h/brake would still be pretty crap.

He had a new Tuscan as a loan car from Blackpool whilst the Cerb was be serviced, he left the car outside the pub, and when he came out later the Tuscan had rolled down the slope into parked cars. and this was a brand new car!

[kojak]

When I picked my car up, I went to fill her up with petrol to make the journey home. Imagine my suprise when the car started rolling out of the forecourt as I was paying at the till. Thats was near cambridge, where the landscape has mountains like in Holland.

[garethgtt]

I concur, absolute crap, its not even a brake of sorts more a token gesture..... It would be of more use carrying a pencil and when parking taking `said pencil` and placing it behind one of the rear wheels to maintain stationaryness....

>> Edited by garethgtt on Monday 14th November 16:02

[bigjohnBOY]

Recently had mine repaired at a local garage works great now can even lock a wheel if I try hard.

[gbbird]

kojak said:

Mines as much use as a chocolate teapot also. I always leave it in gear. Some cars have good handbrakes and some dont. I make sure I dont park on a hill...which is sometimes diffecult in Sheffield.

Mine's as much use as a chocolate........................fireguard . I Avoid hills like the plague - steep hillstarts are a big no no

[jonnie5]

Topcats seem to have been able to adjust mine so that it actually works quite well with a two-handed yank

I admit, not ideal for a handbrake turn but I don't need that. But just about good enough to hold it on a reasonable slope

(Problem is that it needs two hands to release it again )

[grass widow]

Didn't realise they had a handbrake, thought the handbrake lever in the middle was for hanging smellies off...........its about all its good for.

Stalled it getting it out of the garage, trying to start it rolling downhill towards the bins scary. Got it sussed now, if you have to start it on a hill, put your left foot on the brake, then when your ready do a quick swop.

[BCA]

Trackcar did a rather complex mod to ours to get it to work... it'll sit outside his place on the slope

Not sure if he still offers this mod, but worth asking?

[kojak]

grass widow said:

Didn't realise they had a handbrake, thought the handbrake lever in the middle was for hanging smellies off...........its about all its good for. Stalled it getting it out of the garage, trying to start it rolling downhill towards the bins scary. Got it sussed now, if you have to start it on a hill, put your left foot on the brake, then when your ready do a quick swop.

Same here. However Teresa, i'm assuming you mean your right foot.(on the brake and throttle pedal together)...unless thats on the clutch.



>> Edited by kojak on Monday 14th November 22:12

[grass widow]

kojak said:

grass widow said: Didn't realise they had a handbrake, thought the handbrake lever in the middle was for hanging smellies off...........its about all its good for. Stalled it getting it out of the garage, trying to start it rolling downhill towards the bins scary. Got it sussed now, if you have to start it on a hill, put your left foot on the brake, then when your ready do a quick swop. Same here. However Teresa, i'm assuming you mean your right foot.(on the brake and throttle pedal together)...unless thats on the clutch. >> Edited by kojak on Monday 14th November 22:12

No not mastered that yet, out of gear, left foot on brake, right foot on accelerator. Then when I'm ready swop feet on brake pedal so i can put it in gear. Feels weird, but better than facing my husband with a bent car


edited cos I don't know my left from right


>> Edited by grass widow on Tuesday 15th November 08:13

[yellow peril]

kojak said:

Same here. However Teresa, i'm assuming you mean your right foot.(on the brake and throttle pedal together)...unless thats on the clutch.

See, I never mastered that.......

Our Cerb's handbrake might just as well never have been there.

Last two years we had our Peril 1 she failed the MOT on only one thing.....handbrake.

I used to dread having to stop on a hill

YP