Handbrake not working!!!

[golf gti 16valve]

Hi ppl, must went to park on my drive and the handbrake hardly holds the car,it gos up alright and doesnt have excessive play, ie it doesnt go throught the roof when you pull it up, but it just doesnt hold the car,im sure the pads are ok on it too! what could it be?? self adjusters?? how do i fix this?? its discs on the rear as well, mk2 gti 16v  tthanks for any help

[Ali-Jay]

If it was me the first place IÂ’d check is to see if either of the calliper handbrake spindles are seized (or even part seized) - remove the cables and see if the springs are able to return the cable take off arms to the fully off position (against the stops).

If they can't, thoroughly clean the area of dirty & brake dust and then work some WD40 between the spindle & the calliper – you might find the spindle can be eased out a couple of mm so you can clean some of the corrosion off it.

Once you've got it free, a small dab of grease around the spindle will help keep it free for a few months until you have to do it all over again.............

You could also check that the pads slide freely in the callipers, if not a smear of copperslip where the sides of the pads rest on the callipers should do it.

[Judderi]

To be honest the handbrake is crap even when its working corectly.

[steviem]

Oh god, just found out my rear calipers are seized, and Euro Car Parts want £140 including a surcharge for a pair of newens, Bugger that, the car cost me £200...
so, any rear calipers taking space up in peoples garages? I will pay handsomely for them (up to £40 anyway...)

[Mr Blue]

yep well said^ pure crap
if the calipers are fine then take off the handbreak cover.

adjust the bolts on the handbreak cable.

could even been the cables you never know. cheap fix

[Mr Blue]

Oh god, just found out my rear calipers are seized, and Euro Car Parts want £140 including a surcharge for a pair of newens, Bugger that, the car cost me £200...
so, any rear calipers taking space up in peoples garages? I will pay handsomely for them (up to £40 anyway...)

mk3 calipers are better as they have an internal mechanism so less likely to seize in the futor.

personaly i would buy new disks and pads while your at it mate.

[steviem]

Do you have to make any alterations on mk3 calipers for them to work properly on the mk2?

[Judderi]

I didnt. i think it depends on the year of the car though.

[Daz...]

Do you have to make any alterations on mk3 calipers for them to work properly on the mk2?

I believe you need the later mk2 handbrake cables to fit them, they go underneath the calliper rather than over the top