Handbrake seized on

[chrisd]

left my NA8 with the hand brake on for a couple of weeks. When I drove it next the rear brakes wont release. Didnt try anything to fix it , so is there a quick fix or remove the rear bake pads etc ?
Chris

[de Bounce]

Sounds like your rear caliper slide pins have seized.

Have a read HERE and HERE about how to replace the pads.
You should apply a synthetic brake caliper grease to the pins.
It is recommended to make it a scheduled service item to avoid the problem in the future.

[Steampunk]

so are the rear brake seized? or the handbrake lever not going back down? If its the latter, I know what it might be

[Smithy]

Is it both rear wheels siezed though? ...might be cable elsewhere or the lever in thhat case?

[chrisd]

hand brake lever goes down but the pads remain half on ; i can just drive the car but the brakes are dragging badly. will pull the calipers apart today and grease as suggested . will post update. thanks

[Scoota]

Hi Mate.

It could be a sticky cable or rear caliper slide pins, as per other replies. But I had this exact same experience last year, and it turned out to be something else.

Here's my story.... When using the car regularly I had no problem. After leaving the car parked for a week or so, the left rear brake caliper would remain applied after releasing the hand brake. I checked the cables... No issue there, all moving freely. I checked the lever arm on the rear left caliper... it seemed to be moving freely, but the "return" action was not quite right.

I asked my local PBR dude, and he informed me that it was likely to be a bit of corrosion/rust inside the caliper. (I haven't actually rectified the issue yet as my car has been up on blocks for almost a year now). From memory he referred to a moving part in the caliper behind the caliper piston. I think it's another piston that acts on the back of the caliper piston when the hand brake is applied. I don't have an exploded view of the caliper to refer to at the moment, but I'm sure someone can scan one and add it to this post.

I suspect that you will need to disassemble the caliper, remove the corrosion and then apply some brake caliper grease, as suggested by de Bounce. I'd start with the caliper slider pins and cables first, but it sounds like you have an internal corrosion issue to me.

Anyway, sorry to be a bit vague, but I wanted to let you know that I have had this exact problem. I'll drag out my manual and take a look at the exploded view tonight. If you want to speak with me just give me a PM with your number and I'll give you a call.

Cheers,
Scoota.

[chrisd]

thanks to all including Scoota . I got it to release by driving slowly and applying the handbrake a few times. Now to pull the caliper apart next weekend and apply some brake caliper grease to moving parts esp the pin that applies pressure to the pad when hand brake is applied > Good advice thanks
Chris

[sabretooth]

I agree with what Scoota's mechanic said - I had the exact problem described, and it turned out that the rear part of the caliper was full of rust.

If you want to get that part of the caliper apart, you're going to need circlip pliers. I'd also recommend a caliper rebuild kit and some wet+dry for all of the seals.

If you want to test that this is the problem, check if the part that the handbrake cable pulls on is reluctant to spring back to its original position.