Handbrake adjustment..how to?

[cornishvr6 52]

My handbrake has to be pulled far too high now for it to function so can someone advise how to adjust it or if i need to replace anything in the process?

thanks

[legvw 0]

You'll have to remove the gaiter and plastic trim from around the hand brake, Then there is a pair of cables with a nut on each, so you can tighten the nut to tighten the cables.

[cornishvr6 52]

does the handbrake have to be disengaged when doing this? cheers

[Lukey. 381]

you should be able to just remove the ashtray and access the bolts, depends if youve got ratchet spanners or not. if not you can get a bigger throw by removing the whole handbrake surround,

disengage and try to make the little bar level so it pulls uniformly

[cornishvr6 52]

ok thanks for your help, i will give this a go monday as im working all weekend :-(

cheers

[cornishvr6 52]

handbrake now adjusted but still struggles to hold on a hill, any ideas?

[legvw 0]

The rear brake calipers clamp on a ratchet type mechanism. So if you pull the handbrake up and down then the caliper will ratchet up, and hopefully hold the car! If this doesn't work, then maybe your pads are too low, or the cables have stretched.

[cornishvr6 52]

im guessing its the pads then as there is still room for adjustment left on the cable, mot due in two weeks so need to sort it asap, any recomendations for the pads?

[legvw 0]

Have you checked the pads? Any pad will do really, from gsf, euro car parts, anywhere really, they should be cheap enough.

[cornishvr6 52]

not as yet but i will check in the garage when i finish work later this eve, should be able to see past the caliper,

[VR6_Absy 0]

stop messing about and buy some Mk4 calipers, you won't look back ;-) i bought some brand new ones off ebay for £90 from veedubmachine, he's in Cornwall http://stores.ebay.co.uk/veedubmachine

[cornishvr6 52]

stop messing about and buy some Mk4 calipers' date=' you won't look back ;-) i bought some brand new ones off ebay for £90 from veedubmachine, he's in Cornwall http://stores.ebay.co.uk/veedubmachine

[/quote']

ha ha i will do after the mot unless i can find some decent used ones within the next 2 weeks

[cornishvr6 52]

is there any particular calipers i need to look for? eg mk4 1.8t with solid rear discs?

do they just fit my std discs?

[deanvhr6 0]

could you let me know if it was the pads that needed changing as my car is doing exactly the same, im yet to adjust the cables so il obvs check that first and try it...thanks

[cornishvr6 52]

could you let me know if it was the pads that needed changing as my car is doing exactly the same' date=' im yet to adjust the cables so il obvs check that first and try it...thanks

[/quote']

the handbrake mechanism on the rear calipers had seized (common fault on early vr's app)

so i fitted rear calipers and pads from a later vr which worked a treat