handbrake cables... loose

[delirical]

Hi,

When you crank on the handbrake its very loose until about 60 degrees and sits almost vertical when aplied.

Ive taken the cover off but the screws are all the way down so cannot be tightened further, can this be done from the other end or do i need to buy new cables?

Cheers

[rob.043]

There is no adjustment on the other end, no. The end of the cable just attaches to a lever on the calipers. Does the handbrake work well on both wheels? Does sound like its coming up very high to be just a stretched cable. Do the two cables pull evenly?  It may be that one cable has detached from the caliper or broken, and this would allow the lever to move higher.

You should be able to see the back of the calipers if you look round and behind the rear wheels (if your car's not too low), and see if the cables are attached ok (Im assuming your on disc brakes?).

Replacements are not expensive, about £10-15 each I think, and not too difficult to fit with basic tools/jack/axle stand

[delirical]

Hi mate,

Yea both pull evenly, ill double check under the car when i get home today.

The cables look new but i guess thats because they are covered.. im sure ill need new ones.

Can you recommend anywhere? i also need a lambda sensor for g60 and a relay '80'

Cheers

[rob.043]

Ive had cables from GSF, and they have been fine.

http://www.gsfcarparts.com/index.asp

The ends under the cover will appear pretty new, but have a look at the cable end on the caliper- that will give a better indication of age.

Relays may be a dealer or scrappie thing, or ebay!

Ive seen Lambda sensors on ebay too, but it may be the sort of thing that is best to be genine from VW. Have a search in the mk2 section and see if there are any opinions on that. I was thinking of replacing mine (ive got a Mk2 8v GTi with a cat!) as I hear they can deteriorate with age.... But they didnt look super cheap.

[delirical]

Thanks mate,

Yea ill probably get them from GSF after double checking later this eve.

Ive had a look on ebay for a Lambda which was £60 as i have a golf mk2 g60 so i am guessing i need the genuine one as apposed to just the standard gti one!?

Will do some more research but yea probably best to get OEM

[rob.043]

Yeah it may be the case that a lambda sensor is a standard thing, and any one will be fine to send the relevant info to the ECU, but I dont know. If in doubt, go OEM! Id be interested to know how much a genuine one is, if you do find out. See what a (re)search turns up....

[Ben Lessani]

There is no adjustment on the other end, no. The end of the cable just attaches to a lever on the calipers.

Yes there is, in-fact, the *only* adjustment is on the other end, the threaded cable is just to set the height of the handbrake when applied, not actually adjust it.

Read this http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=49436.msg1000233#msg1000233

[rob.043]

 

I stand corrected...  Actually it was 'pumpng' the lever on the caliper that probably solved my issue with poor handbrake, tho I replaced the cable at the same time.