Handbrake failure

[Toddler78]

I have ben having this problem on and of for a while and just wondering if anybody else has experienced this problem.
I pull the hand brake up as normal and as norma the hndbrake holds, but every now and then (ie just then) I pull the hand brake up it goes up the same distance but when I take my foot off the brake the handbrake wont hold nd it is like it is not even on, then I can go out at a later date oull it on and all is fine. :vpo: the problem is that my driveway is on a steep slope and I have to have it in gear which is the only thing holding it in place. I dont think the cable has streched as when it does hold it holds perfectly. Holden hve only just tentoned it last service(2000km ago and has been happening on nf off since then) I dont want to go back to holde and claim fault on their behalf as I really cant be bothered and dont have the time. could it be because they have over tightened it and the little shoes in the hub have worn out? has anybody esle experienced this?

your help is much appriecated

[planetdavo]

Either you have a handbrake lever issue, or a handbrake shoe/retainer issue.
Both can occur on VY on models.

[HSV Listy]

Not the same issues exactly but my avalanche handbrake does not hold very well if the slope is downhill backwards (auto in neutral). It holds perfectly everytime if the front is going down the hill. Been like it since new and I have just got used to it

Holden has tried to fix the issues on warranty visits but about 1 week later it starts to go again. I will get it sorted soon by my local mechanic after warranty. I think there is some underlying issue. Can not make sence why it holds perfectly one way and not the other.

Hopefully there is a solution to your drama.

[Toddler78]

Either you have a handbrake lever issue, or a handbrake shoe/retainer issue.
Both can occur on VY on models.

thanks davo, Ive got a feeling it is a shoe, retainer issue as when I am slowing at lights I can hear a slight sqeak ie from something rubing

[Ausmartin1]

Try VXII's as well, can reverse beutifully with HANDBRAKE FULLY ON,
When I try to go forward ohh s**t I've left the hand brake on!

Commodores and whole bunch of OTHER cars have this issue.

In my case is really safe pointing the car down a steep hill, but not up one.

If I park up a steep hill it's the gearboxes park claw in the auto gearbox is holding the car, Now if someone gave the car a tap / bump while parking from the front. The claw would realease as designed (Overload) and my car would run off making a nice ratchet noise at the same time I would guess.

It's just BS that brake manufactures who supply holden and others can't get their s**t together to make a park brake system that works in BOTH directions ?

Yes it's 2008 by my calander !:rofl:


I feel your pain!

[planetdavo]

thanks davo, Ive got a feeling it is a shoe, retainer issue as when I am slowing at lights I can hear a slight sqeak ie from something rubing
By that, it sounds like you may require the fitment of the anti-scrape kit (unless they already fitted it?).

[vh-holden]

the vh and the vs would also roll backwards in neutral and even reverse with the handbrake on.

[Car Lo]

I have had a issue with the park brake shoes themselves, my went powdery and it just did not have the holding power. You couldn't remove the powdery part on the top of the shoe without it going under size.
Replace the shoes all OK now and have been for years.

[Bravotwozero]

I have the same problem as well. Something was replaced at the last service that was meant to fix it but it still does it. After a couple of attempts it seems to work ok. When I park I put the car in neutral then put the park brake on. When the handbrake is holding the car I then put it into park.

I'd rather the handbrake was stopping the car than the gearbox.

Davo, what's this anti scape thing you're talking about? Mine makes a slight scraping noise at low speeds as well.

[planetdavo]

Davo, what's this anti scape thing you're talking about? Mine makes a slight scraping noise at low speeds as well.
It centralises the shoes better (hopefully!) to remove the noise.
MAYBE it will help your issue of a poor handbrake.

[superoo]

I had a hopeless handbrake in my VT wagon and an equally as useless handbrake in my BA. The design of both are hopeless and in my case, it either works but you get the stupid scraping sound or no sound and no handbrake. I've given up having it adjusted. Is the VE handbrake any better? This is the single most frustrating thing about my car since basically new....:vpo:

[DuffMan]

Had a very similar problem with mine too. The lever would pull up tight and feel as though it was grabbing as normal but when I took my foot off the brake, there was NO grab at all. However, if i went back half an hour later and took it out of gear it would hold fine.

It only seemed to happen after a decent drive(20minutes or more). That said, It's been fine since it's last adjustment over 4000km's ago. I guess time will tell.

[mmciau]

I had issues like that in the VS.

The critical adjustment is in the rear brake mechanism.

Slack off the cable as far as possible

Adjust the mechanism in the rear brake to "best adjustment" and then take slack back out of the cable.

It is possible that the handbrake will only take 2-4 notches to be fully effective when you have finished.

Mike

[Toddler78]

UPDATE

gone out to start the car this morning forgetting the hand brake wasnt working. any how took car out of gear and the handbrake held, go figure
i might rip the rear hubs off on the weekend to take a look at the shoes

[Car Lo]

I have had a issue with the park brake shoes themselves, my went powdery and it just did not have the holding power. You couldn't remove the powdery part on the top of the shoe without it going under size.
Replace the shoes all OK now and have been for years.

As I have said above , poor quality brake material on the shoes and poor quality in the design = low quality results.
But the motor ( LS1 is great , soon to go L76 stroker will be even better )
Sometimes it is about going fast then parking the car with a good handbrake.
So the hand brake is low on the list of important list.

[planetdavo]

So the hand brake is low on the list of important list.
Hope the car doesn't roll down a hill somewhere....:eyes:

[Car Lo]

Hope the car doesn't roll down a hill somewhere....:eyes:

Don't worry the handbrake ( sorry, parkbrake )works fine.

Is the design good???? No , in my case the brake shoe material was poor quality, did not last. and remember it is only a PARKBRAKE, using it for handbrake turns etc on a skid pan can rip the shoe off its mount ( only 1 anchor point per side ) and I can live with that