EEK! Handbrake frozen on!

snaps

Tried everythingand possbly made it all worse, couldnt budge my car this morning as the handbrake was frozen on. Reckon its the cable is self thats frozen! -7c here at the moment in Mayo

biko

This is why I put it in 1st instead of using the handbrake.
Think you may just have to wait.

andrewh5

Try rocking the car back and forwards in reverse & first gear with the lever down. It may well free off the pads.

Avns1s

I'd leave it be... you could end up pulling the linings off the brake shoes and it'll cost more than a while of a wait.

It's more likely that the shoes are frozen to the drum than the cable TBH. You could try putting a fan heater under the back of the car for a while ... point at each wheel in turn and don't electrocute yourself when having an indoor applicance outside!

niceirishfella

Just leave it in the sun. Nature will work its magic.

seanybiker

1st then reverse. A bit of rocking should work

peasant

Avns1s wrote: »

It's more likely that the shoes are frozen to the drum than the cable TBH.

My handbrake was frozen as well this morning, only it WAS the cable. The handbrake was off over night and when I needed to pull it, there was an almighty crunch and it was very hard to move.

snaps

no ive tried everything. Its still below freezing here now. I cant move the car into the sun and unfortunatly the place where my car is parked is out of the sun all the time this time of the year. Ive tried rocking car in reverse and then forward. I dont want to do any damage so ill leave it. Lost a days pay today. Ill try it mid afternoon, so fingers crossed. I never thought last night would be so cold and it never dawned on me to leave off handbrake.

Darragh29

Get out the hairdryer!

Seth Brundle

Would leaving the car sitting whilst ticking over generate enough heat underneath to thaw out the cables?

omb0wyn5ehpij9

kbannon wrote: »

Would leaving the car sitting whilst ticking over generate enough heat underneath to thaw out the cables?

That is what i was thinking

Darragh29

kbannon wrote: »

Would leaving the car sitting whilst ticking over generate enough heat underneath to thaw out the cables?

I don't think it would make much odds. OP, is the handbrake operated by a button in the car or the handbrake lever???

niceirishfella

kbannon wrote: »

Would leaving the car sitting whilst ticking over generate enough heat underneath to thaw out the cables?

nope.

kluivert

Throw hot water over the brake drums if you have alloys.

The Handbrake cable is normally, four cables. I have the same problem every morning its slightly cold, the rocking back and forth technique does it for me.

niceirishfella

kluivert wrote: »

Throw hot water over the brake drums if you have alloys

no good this either. To warm up a cast brake drum properly, a kettle full of hot water's not going to do it, or
or even 3. And when the water goes cold, it'll freeze and cause more problems.