Hey all,

My handbrake seems to get stuck/bind when applied. The only way I could get around this was to loosen it off but then there is not enough pressure to hold the car on a hill.The car had been sitting for a while so could this be the rear brakes seizing?

Anything you can suggest to solve this issue?

Many thanks

Ben.

when You say You loosened it off...

Did You loosen the nuts at the hand brake [cables] ?? OR

did You adjust the brake shoes at the back of the rear wheels??

LEE

If the car has been sitting around for a while it would be a good idea to remove the rear drums and inspect the brakes, you can check the wheel cylinders and shoes when they are off, there could be corrosion or a frayed brake cable causing the issue .

Yes Lee - I only loosened the nuts on the cable so I could move the car. I presumed this was not going to solve the problem and that it lay with the rear brakes. I have not touched these as of yet.

vwo60 - Thanks. Have no idea how to do that but Ill have a read/research and see what I can find...

Gotta learn somehow..

Yes
when brakes are left on in damp weather, the drums go rusty because they are very clean, as they have been polished/cleaned by the brake linings..
Once driven they will clean up again...
So, I would suggest starting to tighten the cable nuts slightly and driving the car, so the brake shoes/linings will clean the rust from the drums... until the handbrake will hold the car again...

Many people who store a car for a long time with the hand brakes ON.. [this is a very common problem in the UK and in coastal areas in othercountries] Now I'm a very long way to any coastal areas but in the winter My front discs go rusty all the time as the car maybe sitting for a week or two.. they clean up fast when I drive the car again...

I hope this helps..

the alternative is taking the BIG AXLE Nut off and cleaning and checking inside the brake drum...

cheers

LEE

PS: If the car isn't registered, You can jack up the rear so the rear wheels turn and clean the brake drums.... LEE

You will need a 36mm 3/4 drive socket, breaker bar and a 2 MTR length of pipe, the centre nut is torqued to 217 FT lbs. with the wheels on the ground, the hand brake on and a chock under the wheels undo the centre nuts with the aid of the pipe, make sure the brake shoes are backed off when you attempt removing the drum, if you are lucky the drums will come off with a little persuasion, do you have a manual for your car, a worth while investment.