The repair of the handbrake cable: you should pay attention to that!

Recently updated on February 3, 2022 at 12:20 am

Is the handbrake cable to be replaced, or is the handbrake getting more and more bitchy? We know the typical symptoms, we know the repair process and we can at least roughly estimate the costs involved. Yes, first some general information on the subject. Handbrake cables work as a central component of the mechanical parking brake independent from the service brake. The hydraulic service brake is triggered by pressing the foot pedals. It is true that this is also the case with some vehicles (VW Phaeton, for example), if then is but a independent auxiliary pedal Installed on the left in the area of ​​the A-pillar, with which the handbrake is "pushed". Complications most frequently occur on the handbrake cable of a mechanical parking brake (also called hand brake / parking brake) through Corrosion on. This can result in the handbrake cable becoming “tight”. In winter, when the temperature is below zero, it often happens that the handbrake cable "frozen solid“. If the anti-dust sleeve For example, if there is a leak, water can penetrate, which leads to freezing and rusting. But one is not uncommon elongation from the handbrake cable or even the Riss.

Notice a defective handbrake cable!

• When you pull the handbrake lever, you don't feel any resistance.
• When the vehicle is on the lift, the rear wheel is stiff, even though the interior handbrake is loose.
• Applying the handbrake has no braking effect. As a result, the vehicle cannot be parked in a controlled manner.
• The travel of the handbrake lever in the vehicle is too long.
• Engine needs more power than usual to get the car moving.

Notes on the defective handbrake cable.

Often the handbrake cable is not irrevocably defective, but only became incorrectly set and must therefore be corrected. If the handbrake lever is difficult to pull, this can also be because that a brake caliper is stuck. What can happen if the defective rope is not replaced or repaired? In the worst case, the handbrake cable the Reiss, or complete rust up, so that its function expires. Therefore should a gear in the car (manual switch) must always be engaged, as soon as it is suspected that the handbrake is no longer working 100%. Otherwise the vehicle can roll away and thus poses a considerable risk. A broken handbrake cable also means that that the main inspection is not passed, since a defect of the component than serious deficiency applies.

Repair of the handbrake cable.

If the handbrake cable is only slightly tight, it may be with something penetrating oil the function can be restored for a certain period of time. However, penetrating oil is only a temporary solution and should in no case replace a real repair. The handbrake cable should definitely go through a new component be replaced. This is the only way to ensure that the vehicle does not unintentionally roll away and the next HU is passed. If there is a mechanical parking brake on the vehicle, the vehicle has at least two handbrake cables. These are installed in such a way that one handbrake cable on each side goes directly from the brake caliper on the rear axle or the drum brake to the handbrake in the interior of the vehicle. Sometimes, however, "distributors" are installed, which "divide" the handbrake cable that comes from the handbrake to the other two cables, making three cables necessary. Important! The entire braking system is a safety-relevant area. Therefore should Only trained personnel carry out repairs and maintenance. After all, this is about protecting others and yourself!

This is how the correct change of the handbrake cable works.

The repair process varies depending on the vehicle type. The first thing to do in the vehicle interior is to dismantle the paneling around the handbrake lever. Now it should be possible to put the handbrake cable there unhook. Depending on the construction of the vehicle, there may be a difference in the duration of the work. Often even the entire center console has to be dismantled to get to the cables in the interior. Next, the specialist dismantles the handbrake cables mounted on the wheel side. Here the rope can often be hung easily. In rare cases, however, the entire brake system has to be dismantled. On vehicles with drum brakes, the drum must first be removed so that the cable can be accessed. Sometimes it happens that even the exhaust system has to be dismantled in order to be able to completely loosen the handbrake cable. After the two steps were successful and the other components were reassembled, the handbrake must be can be set. Incidentally, when repairing, it is worth taking a look at other wearing parts. The brake caliper, the brake discs and the brake pads or the drum brake should also be included checked and replaced if necessary .

Tip: If the handbrake is still workable and in good condition, but no longer grips properly, then it may be sufficient to just "adjust" the system. How exactly this works is explained in our article "Adjust the handbrake? This is how it's done!“Read.

The cost of replacing the handbrake cable.

New handbrake cables cost around 10 to 200 euros. These can be purchased either as a set or individually. The best-known suppliers of spare parts are TE, TRW, Mann or Mapco. It is often enough if a handbrake cable is exchanged. The competent mechanic should pay attention to this. The time required to replace the handbrake cable can be between 30 and 90 minutes. If the sample working rate of 100 euros is added to this, costs of 60 to 350 euros are incurred.

Explanation of the function of handbrake cables.

As a central part the mechanical parking brakes the handbrake works completely independent of the foot brake. The parking brake, also known as the handbrake, keeps the vehicle safe can be turned off. When the handbrake lever is pulled up, the handbrake cables running under the car are tensioned so that the brake pads are pressed against the brake discs. In modern vehicles are today but often electronic parking brakes. Here the pressing of the brake pads against the brake disc is Electric motor accomplished. There are some models with an electronic parking brake no handbrake cables more. However, this cannot be generalized as there are a few vehicles that still have the classic handbrake cables despite the electronic motor.

The following note is essential: For safety reasons, tuningblog recommends all repair, inspection and maintenance work exclusively to be carried out in a specialist workshop! Although our information is summarized to the best of our knowledge and belief, we cannot assume any liability for the content. All information is therefore "without guarantee".

Of course, that wasn't the end of it!

In this tuningblog category there are guides and instructions for common defects/repairs on the vehicle and for installing accessories/tuning parts. Our articles explain in a simple way common defects and the corresponding repairs, as well as explaining how the first signs of a defect become noticeable. In most cases, we also have initial clues to the repair instructions in our repair instructions approximate The costs of the pending repair are listed. The goal of our subcategory “Auto Repair Guide“ is to create a head start in knowledge for the next visit to the workshop with initial tips. This may save you from tedious troubleshooting and small things can perhaps be done directly on your own. The same applies, of course, to the installation of accessories/tuning parts. Here, too, we would like to help with the implementation with instructions and tips. There are many other posts on this as well. Below is an excerpt of the last and HERE there are all previous instructions:

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