Handbrake ratchet mechanism
Discussion
Driving my Griff at the weekend I noticed that the parking brake and brake warning lights had both come on as if the handbrake was on.
Having checked that it wasn't, I pulled the handbrake on and off a few times incase the warning light switch was sticking on, then there was a sort of clunk and the handbrake lever went a bit floppy!
The warning lights went off but the handbrake ratchet is now non existent and the lever button can not be pushed in.
The handbrake still applies and in certain positions the warning lights work properly and all appears to be well with the cables etc under the car when I jacked it up and had a look underneath tonight so I think the problem is with the lever mechanism.
So does anyone know how to get to the workings? Looks like access is from inside the car but I don't want to dismantle anything unecessarily. I've checked the "bible" but can't find any suitable advice in there.
Having checked that it wasn't, I pulled the handbrake on and off a few times incase the warning light switch was sticking on, then there was a sort of clunk and the handbrake lever went a bit floppy!
The warning lights went off but the handbrake ratchet is now non existent and the lever button can not be pushed in.
The handbrake still applies and in certain positions the warning lights work properly and all appears to be well with the cables etc under the car when I jacked it up and had a look underneath tonight so I think the problem is with the lever mechanism.
So does anyone know how to get to the workings? Looks like access is from inside the car but I don't want to dismantle anything unecessarily. I've checked the "bible" but can't find any suitable advice in there.
Neil
the only way into the mechanism is from the cabin. THere's two bolts, one each behind each of the seats, that hold on the rear part of the central console. Tilt the seats forward and look underneath. Once undone and with the handbrake cable slackened off the console will lift up from the back.
Once off you can see the mechanism after removing the rubber glove round the base of the gear stick. The retaining bolts can go on the handbrake lever and if this has happened may need drilling out.
I'm sorry - but this is not a fun job to do.
Good luck
AF
the only way into the mechanism is from the cabin. THere's two bolts, one each behind each of the seats, that hold on the rear part of the central console. Tilt the seats forward and look underneath. Once undone and with the handbrake cable slackened off the console will lift up from the back.
Once off you can see the mechanism after removing the rubber glove round the base of the gear stick. The retaining bolts can go on the handbrake lever and if this has happened may need drilling out.
I'm sorry - but this is not a fun job to do.
Good luck
AF
You don't have to remove the heater control panel from the console - but you do need to take care as behind the panel it is quite fragile and can be damaged quite easily.
The bolt went on mine and could not be drilled out. The solution was to angle grind the rretaining bracket off the chassis and after fixing, weld it back on...
The bolt went on mine and could not be drilled out. The solution was to angle grind the rretaining bracket off the chassis and after fixing, weld it back on...
Excellent diagnosis Angus!
Dismantled interior to get to the handbrake and found the front (larger) retaining bolt had sheared.
As you can imagine the bolt has sheared inside the hole, so nothing sticking out to get a grip on and the chassis gets in the way of getting a drill squarely at it. Anyone got any bright ideas that might save me the drastic measures that Angus had to do?
Dismantled interior to get to the handbrake and found the front (larger) retaining bolt had sheared.
As you can imagine the bolt has sheared inside the hole, so nothing sticking out to get a grip on and the chassis gets in the way of getting a drill squarely at it. Anyone got any bright ideas that might save me the drastic measures that Angus had to do?
Hey Neil
I'm sorry my diagnosis turned out to be the right one.
I think that this happens because of the driver's position in the car. When pulling on the handbrake you are forced to pull slightly towards you and this means putting pressure on the bolt. I've heard of a few go this way.
Dave Batty ended up cutting off my bracket and rewelding it. It only took him an hour. Once off, the broken bolt was easy to drill out.
I'm not sure you have much choice really but you could call him and ask. He might have done a few more since mine and come up with a genius way of sorting it out.
Good luck
AF
I'm sorry my diagnosis turned out to be the right one.
I think that this happens because of the driver's position in the car. When pulling on the handbrake you are forced to pull slightly towards you and this means putting pressure on the bolt. I've heard of a few go this way.
Dave Batty ended up cutting off my bracket and rewelding it. It only took him an hour. Once off, the broken bolt was easy to drill out.
I'm not sure you have much choice really but you could call him and ask. He might have done a few more since mine and come up with a genius way of sorting it out.
Good luck
AF
Hi Angus,
Given up for this evening, a right pain of a job. Eventually got a pilot hole drilled into bolt, screwed in the easyout and guess what..that sheared off too!
So I am drilling ever larger holes to get the bolt out.
As I said, had enough for now so will apply a fresh brain to the job tomorrow.
Good idea about cleaning up while I can get to bits though.
Given up for this evening, a right pain of a job. Eventually got a pilot hole drilled into bolt, screwed in the easyout and guess what..that sheared off too!
So I am drilling ever larger holes to get the bolt out.
As I said, had enough for now so will apply a fresh brain to the job tomorrow.
Good idea about cleaning up while I can get to bits though.
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