The most common hand brake malfunctions

While this is often forgotten by drivers, the handbrake is an integral part of the braking system. It is used to stop the vehicle when parking on a slope and facilitate starting and sometimes when braking. Both traditional and electric parking brakes can be emergency. What breaks in them most often? We answer!

What will you learn from this post?

• What are the most common hand brake faults?
• What breaks in the electronic handbrake?

TL, д-

Breakage of the brake cable and damage to the brake pads are typical problems with the handbrake. Most often in the electronic handbrake, the electronics fail.

How does the handbrake work?

The parking brake, colloquially called the hand (and sometimes auxiliary) brake, is of two types. In the traditional version, we start mechanically, pulling the leverwhich is located between the front seats, just behind the gearbox. When lifted, the cable moves underneath, which activates the brake cables and immobilizes the wheels on the rear axle. In newer vehicles, the traditional handbrake has been replaced with an electric handbrake (EPB) that activates by pressing a button on the dashboard.

Manufacturers are now using 2 EPB systems. The first, electromechanical, resembles the traditional solution - pressing a button starts a small motor that pulls the brake cables. The second, fully electric, is also based on the operation of additional motors. However, in this case, the mechanisms are placed in the rear brake calipers – upon receiving the appropriate signal, they move the brake piston through the transmission, pressing the pads against the disc.

Typical malfunctions of a traditional hand brake

Sometimes we use the manual so rarely that we learn about its malfunction only during the mandatory technical inspection of the car. One of the most common failures damage to brake cables or pads. In both cases, the reason may be that the parking brake is not applied - the elements that make up it often “get stuck”. There is a broken brake cable malfunction that is easy to fix, and this does not entail higher costs. Replacing damaged brake pads is one of the most difficult and costly repairs because requires removal of the rear wheels and disassembly of the brake system.

If the handbrake works, but causes uneven wheel brakingthe mechanism needs to be adjusted. The whole procedure is extremely simple, and we can easily perform it in our own garage. So, we lower the brake lever, put pads under the front wheels, and raise the rear of the car on the lever. Adjusting screw located under the cover, immediately behind the brake lever - where the cables are connected. The adjustment is correct if the wheel is completely locked when the lever is raised by 5 or 6 teeth.

Typical malfunctions of the electric hand brake

The most common problem with an electric handbrake is a seasonal issue. Appears during severe frosts - then it happens freezing brake calipers... Sometimes it happens that drive failswhich prevents the brake from being released and immobilizes the vehicle (although in some models we can lower the handle by turning the handle hidden in the trunk floor).

In the case of the EPB brake, they are also common. electronics problems... If there is a glitch that prevents manual release, you cannot do without the help of a professional. To diagnose the problem, it is necessary to use professional equipment that allows read errors stored in the system.

An effective braking system is a guarantee of road safety. It is worth regularly checking that everything works and regularly fixing defects using original parts. Elements from trusted manufacturers are provided by avtotachki.com.

Read more about the braking system in our blog:

How to check the level and quality of the brake fluid?

Be careful, it will be slippery! Check the brakes on your car

We check the technical condition of the brake system. When to start?

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