Rear brakes sticking

[ozzie01]

I have used the search but nothing came up.
Because of the cold weather when I get in the car after parking up for the night the handbrake seems to stick, I'm just after a way to remidy this problem, when I take the hand brake of the brakes stay on fully.
So is the handbrake knackered or the calipers

[Horney]

Leave it in gear rather than use the handbrake over the winter months. it's what I've always done with MKII's.

The problem is moisture in the handbrake mech which freezes overnight and causes them to freeze on. You can replace the rear calipers for late MKIII ones to rid yourself of this problem. I'll be doing it on mine but only once the calipers are really fudged.

Nick

[ozzie01]

nice one cheers matey, just didn't want to spend too much as i'm selling it.

[Jay]

Park in 1st without handbrake applied as a cheap work around if you are selling it.

Just be sure to get in the car and put your foot all the way on the clutch and not do what I had done...
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=76726.10

Yes I am a numpty 

[ozzie01]

Unlucky pal, buy mine if you want

[Jay]

All fixed by the neighbour whose fence I trashed  Just a small dent in the bumper now where it was bent.

[rubjonny]

next time it happens check the calipers.  if its the handbrake mech that has siezed, you'll see the cable is loose in the caliper arm, if its the cable thats siezed the cables will be tight on the caliper arm.  I had this the other day, and it was the cables at fault rather than the calipers!  Which was good becasue I had just spent a fortune on MK3 calipers and rebuilt them with all new seals from VW!  My new handbrake cables have arrived so they'll be going on shortly.

[Gambit]

and if you have mk2 calipers, general regular maintenance as simple as spraying handbrake mech/spring/cable with WD40 and then plastering in grease will stop them seizing

[wopdat]

Check the handbrake cable by disconnecting it from the caliper. the cable tends to get sticky inside especially if it is fairly old. if it is sticky and does not move freely then that is the culprit.

However, if the cables are okay then it will definately be the calipers. You can get kits to rebuild them but they are cheap from GSF and ECP as a part exchange. Make sure you change both side to avoid dis-balance when breaking.