Driving home in my 1302S this afternoon (quite hot weather) the rear brakes started making an odd noise .. like a swoosh swoosh swoosh noise ... under medium braking to stop for an orange light. After getting it parked I've noticed that the handbrake doesn't have much feel (and nor does it work!). There was no swerve etc under braking so they appear to have failed evenly.

So what could be the problem? My mechanic cant look at it til Thursday (no biggie, I have another car I can get around in til then) but it will be an anxious few days! I'm no expert but I'm guessing it might be the cylinder, or just a combination of drum brakes and hot weather. If the latter, is a disc brake conversion worth pursuing?

Unles you were pulling 100MPH, it won't be the 'hot weather' and 'drum brakes' that is causing you problems, It will be a problem with condition/age - eg: worn shoes, burst line/cylinder etc although the handbrake should still work!

Its simple, your pads have worn, and now when you apply the peddle or lever they don't full contact the drum. Adjsut up the rear star adjsuter and all will be fixed......

Thanks for the fast replies!

Hopefully its just the pads/boots ... but looks a bit wet underneath at the back so I'm guessing it might be the line/cylinder as VWCOOL mentioned...

The handbrake works but just barely, not enough to hold the car on a gentle slope.

don't forget adjustment - when were they last inspected/adjusted?


EDIT: it doesn't matter - they need inspection now, eh?

Pretty much - its almost due for tune-up / service etc so I'll just get it all sorted in one hit.

Yes,
sounds like the handbrake "C" clip may have snapped off
allowing the brakes to do their own thing

there may have been too much play and the cups have popped out...

the clip also makes a noise when it drops into the brake drum... along with the pin....

Lee

Thanks for all the advice kids!

The Beetle is home - apparently the handbrake itself was broken - It's now back and annoying the neighbours again!