Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo handbrake

[BOH]

My girlfriend's Coupe has an issue in cold weather in that the handbrake sticks on.

Does anyone have any background information to offer.

Thanks, Patrick

[scotal]

You need to get over to the boys and girls of FCCUK, who know anything and everything there is to know about Coupes.

However, in the case of the handbrake its because the covering at the end of the cable eventually splits and allows in water, which then freezes, which locks the brakes on.

Two options
1. Get new cables fitted.
2. Leave the handbrake off in really cold weather, and park it in gear.

New ones will eventually seizeup enough that its an MOT failure.
New ones will also eventually split in exactly the same way as the ones she has now have.
Its a "quirk", and not fking annoying, oh no, not at all.

[ImDesigner]

The above info is correct.

Get new OEM cables to cure the problem for a while, but it will return. Leave the handbrake off and the car in gear during the winter months. If needs be, you can get under the car and defrost suspect area with a hair drier or throw a few buckets of hot(ish) water into the rear wheel arches.

[wrinx]

Yup, same as many older Alfas...leave the handbrake off until the weather changes. You can then improve matters by removing the cable from the caliper end and letting all the water out, then pack the end with grease...should be fine next year.

wrinx

[BOH]

Thanks very much for the info guys. Normal handbrake operation of course now possible thanks to the thaw.

As a Jag man, I'm very aware that the more characterful the motor, the more weird stuff one has to put up with - try finding an XJ8 X308 that doesn't have a annoying wheel wobble at 60 mph...

Edited by BOH on Friday 10th December 21:29

[andyps]

The end of the cable at the wheel should have a rubber shroud over it, trouble is that over time the rubber perishes, lets water in with the inevitable freezing in cold conditions. Above info is all correct. Mine only ever froze once but then one snapped so I got them both replaced. Alternative Autos are not expensive for them and I don't remember the fitting being particularly expensive.

[magooagain]

My coupe lives in a nice warm garage all its life without the hand brake on.I took it out last friday morning,as it was ice cold and sunny. Blow me 3 miles down the road the hand brake was frozen in the off position. Mind you my turbo loves the cold weather though.

[BOH]

Out of interest, apart from cable breakages, is other damage likely if the car is driven with the handbrake frozen on?

[andyps]

BOH said:

Out of interest, apart from cable breakages, is other damage likely if the car is driven with the handbrake frozen on?

I think the danger is that you may not be able to drive if the handbrake is locked on. However, if the car moves and the brake is on due to freezing there is quite a chance of ice on the road so you do need to be ready for an impromptu handbrake turn The main danger is that the discs will get too hot and warp I would think, but the heat would maybe help release the cable before any damage was done.