Hi,

New to the forum after purchasing a great bright red 2.0 2003 estate. I use it to carry around my hounds and after trying 6 cars in the last 2 years I hope to have found a keeper.

The dreaded MOT is due in June and I know I have a problem with the handbrake not working on the passenger side. I've rear lots of posts but before spending on parts I want to check I am replacing the culprit part.

I had the wheel off last night. The caliper works fine with the brake pedal pushed (although the pads have worn unevenly so will need new ones of those). The cable doesn't seem to release when the hand brake is off. I have liberally sprayed the mech with Plusgas to no avail. If I tap the mech with a hammer I can move the the mech backwards and when the handbrake is pulled on the cable moves in but then doesn't release again. I cannot get the cable to be slack enough to remove from the mech - as I extend the mech with the hammer as soon as I move the metal 'hook' it attaches to the cable tightens as it moves meaning it is always 'tight'.

When the handbrake is pulled on it doesn't grab the wheel much but is fine on the other side. Does the handbrake mech come off the caliper to clean and lube?

I haven't access to a ramp unfortunately.

I feel that this could be a cable issue and perhaps a bit of a lube of the mech as it hasn't been moving but I have little cash and don't want to buy parts that I don't need to replace.

Any help would be much appreciated.

regards

Toby

Anyone?