Audi A4 B7 handbrake too loose

gian

so I just replaced the rear pads and discs of my A4 b7 and upon testing the foot brake works fine but the handbrake is seriously ineffective up to the point that I can move the car while the handbrake is up anyone knows how to fix this? Ive read on forumns that mine is a self adjusting and will fix itself accordingly but I dont feel confident driving out without any emergency brakes

thanks in advance!

Cass

Only saying it to cover all bases. The handbrake cable is still attached to the calipers?

If so, then does it not have an adjuster under the centre console/armrest? If so it may need reset.

CianRyan

Cass wrote: »

Only saying it to cover all bases. The handbrake cable is still attached to the calipers?

If so, then does it not have an adjuster under the centre console/armrest? If so it may need reset.

You should try and avoid this as all it does is stretch the cable if there's a problem down further.

I'm unfamiliar with these. Is it a mechanical or electronic hand brake? Drum inside disc or caliber operated?

gian

Cass wrote: »

Only saying it to cover all bases. The handbrake cable is still attached to the calipers?

If so, then does it not have an adjuster under the centre console/armrest? If so it may need reset.

Yes they are all attached I double check it again this morning, I also did a reset on the adjuster, not sure if I did it right but handbrake has a bit more hold but still not enough to stop the car while moving so I'm assuming it's stretched cable..

Cass

CianRyan wrote: »

You should try and avoid this as all it does is stretch the cable if there's a problem down further.

Wouldn't be overly familiar with them myself. Done, or more accurately helped with, one some years back but nothing since.

Cass

gian wrote: »

...... so I'm assuming it's stretched cable..

Could be.

Have you done a visual check while someone operates the handbrake to see what pull it has, if any?

Had terrible trouble with my own car about my handbrake and in the end the problem presented itself when i had someone work the handbrake while i had the wheel off and was watching.

gian

Cass wrote: »

Could be.

Have you done a visual check while someone operates the handbrake to see what pull it has, if any?

Had terrible trouble with my own car about my handbrake and in the end the problem presented itself when i had someone work the handbrake while i had the wheel off and was watching.

I haven't done a visual check yet but will call a mate to help me out with that, have to check the adjusters on the cable itself according to an Audi forum they are inside the transmission tunnel, its just a pain to get under there and remove all the underbody cover...

Dirty Nails

gian wrote: »

I haven't done a visual check yet but will call a mate to help me out with that, have to check the adjusters on the cable itself according to an Audi forum they are inside the transmission tunnel, its just a pain to get under there and remove all the underbody cover...

In the transmission tunnel as in under the centre console,not under the car.No jack needed

gian

Dirty Nails wrote: »

In the transmission tunnel as in under the centre console,not under the car.No jack needed

there a manual adjuster on the cables themselves if im looking at the right diagram, pulled this off online..

Audi A4 parking brake adjustment and replacement.jpg

Dirty Nails

gian wrote: »

there a manual adjuster on the cables themselves if im looking at the right diagram, pulled this off online..

Audi A4 parking brake adjustment and replacement.jpg

Oh lovely,trust the Germans to over engineer everything. Only other suggestion I'd have is if the arms on the calipers are pulled on a bit is to rewind the pistons & push them out by pumping the brake pedal.Make sure not to pull the handbrake first.
Might just work & be easier than dropping the heat shield.

gian

Youre right about that, over engineered indeed, anyway thank for your suggestion just happens i stumbled on a topic suggesting the same as what you posted I will refurbished both calipers anyway then I will do exactly what you posted before going underneath the car

greasepalm

Bit lost on this one , did somebody tighten up handbrake hoping for a quick fix?? Might need to be let off and pedal pumped to allow it to adjust.
On callipers with handbrake release cable should go back to its stop position.

2 things can stop it seized cable as extra force on cable is needed at calliper the arm returns.
If cable is slack arm is seized on calliper and needs replacing.

gian

greasepalm wrote: »

Bit lost on this one , did somebody tighten up handbrake hoping for a quick fix?? Might need to be let off and pedal pumped to allow it to adjust.
On callipers with handbrake release cable should go back to its stop position.

2 things can stop it seized cable as extra force on cable is needed at calliper the arm returns.
If cable is slack arm is seized on calliper and needs replacing.

Hi I Only learned how to fix the car myself 2 years ago its was my first time replacing the rear brakes thought it was the same as replacing the front, I wouldnt know if anything was done before as it always goes to the garage

I'll relace the seals on the calipers first might aswell.. then i'll do dirtynails suggestion first as it seems to be the standard response from the other forums

greasepalm

gian wrote: »

Hi I Only learned how to fix the car myself 2 years ago its was my first time replacing the rear brakes thought it was the same as replacing the front, I wouldnt know if anything was done before as it always goes to the garage

I'll relace the seals on the calipers first might aswell.. then i'll do dirtynails suggestion first as it seems to be the standard response from the other forums

I would not attempt doing any overhaul on self adjusting rear callipers but i have cleaned up front ones that were semi seized.

FDave

When you had the caliper off and pushed the pistons in, did you wind them in?
With the handbrake off the handbrake lever on the caliper rests against a stop. The cables need to be pre tensioned so the lever is 1mm from the stop.

gian

FDave wrote: »

When you had the caliper off and pushed the pistons in, did you wind them in?
With the handbrake off the handbrake lever on the caliper rests against a stop. The cables need to be pre tensioned so the lever is 1mm from the stop.

I did wind them in but one of the caliper has seized so i went to repair it the cable adjustments must have gotten disturbed after this

greasepalm

How can you fix a seized caliper with repair as if the piston is seized it wont turn you need a replacement one and the same goes for those levers that are semi seized.

gian

greasepalm wrote: »

How can you fix a seized caliper with repair as if the piston is seized it wont turn you need a replacement one and the same goes for those levers that are semi seized.

uhh yes I can, you take apart the caliper and verify what parts are broken and needs replacing, in my case it was the piston sleeve, the old one was torn and degraded to the point that the piston "ate" it causing it to lock, levers arent seized they are moving freely.

BavarianCare

gian wrote: »

uhh yes I can, you take apart the caliper and verify what parts are broken and needs replacing, in my case it was the piston sleeve, the old one was torn and degraded to the point that the piston "ate" it causing it to lock, levers arent seized they are moving freely.

Fit a new/refurb caliper.
Job done.

gian

BavarianCare wrote: »

Fit a new/refurb caliper.
Job done.

You see it's not the caliper, brake is working fine, my issue is the handbrake.

BavarianCare

gian wrote: »

You see it's not the caliper, brake is working fine, my issue is the handbrake.

Ok then - what is reg of car?
How is handbrake actuated?

BavarianCare

gian wrote: »

View Post
uhh yes I can, you take apart the caliper and verify what parts are broken and needs replacing, in my case it was the piston sleeve, the old one was torn and degraded to the point that the piston "ate" it causing it to lock, levers arent seized they are moving freely.

And the 'levers' you refer to; could you tell me what they do? :rolleyes:

Fit a new caliper.
Ensure that any previous adjustments are rectified.
Job done.

Or bring ot to a mechanic.

greasepalm

The sleeve as you call it is only for protection for the piston. The seal inside gathers crap underneath and piston is rusty needing removing which i wont do on these calipers and worked in garages for 30 + years.

If the cable does not move the lever by pulling it on and off you will need 2 new cables.