vr ss handbrake seized

[Rusty]

hi guys,

have a vr ss and the handbrake has seized in the up position. The handbrake light is illuminated on the dash but driving the vehicle is not majorly affected (not noticable at all but i have not driven it more than just a couple hundred metres just in case).

I have removed the handbrake lever button at the top of handbrake lever and it appears that the metal bar has slipped down into the handbrake assembly.

I have unzipped the fake leather to reach the handbrake and can only see the teeth of the handbrake gears and a black button that can be pushed towards the ground. Pressing the button does nothing and i cannot seem to release the handbrake in any way.

I have read all the other posts and searched on the internet and nothing mentions how to rectify this specific issue.

Any help would be appreciated, even if i need to remove the entire assembly to repair it,

thanks guys

[The1]

there's a u shaped bracket that pulls on the handbrake cables underneath the car directly underneath the handbrake, you should be able to loosen the bolt which will give slack to the leaver so you can release it, just remember to be carefull underneath the car with no handbrake.

[Rusty]

Thanks for the advice mate, have u had this issue before too?

i will have a go at fixing the handbrake and let you know,

Very Tidy Berlina by the way too!

Thanks again

[The1]

thanks,

no i havn't had the issue, though my wife does pull the handbrake mighty tight.

[Rusty]

hi mate, loostening the bolts didnt rectify the issue. i think that the lever has slipped down too far and hooked itself on sometime it shouldnt have. do you know if its a major hassle replacing the entire assembly. I will have a search on the forums for instructions,

cheers for your help mate.

[The1]

i dont have much in any of my manuals for handbrakes and havn't had any issue like this so hopefully someone else can help you, you may just have to pull the centre console out see what's going on.

[Rusty]

will give it a go, cheers mate

[cander24]

Replacing the handbrake assembly is not a big issue. First, you need to completely disconnect the cable from underneath the car. Then remove the centre console. The handbrake assembly is held in place by two bolts coming in from the passenger side. I cant remember, but you may need to remove the passenger seat and lift the floor carpet to access these bolts (or you may be able to make some small unnoticeable vertical cuts down on the carpet and access them from above) so you can get at them. With these bolts removed you should be able to pull the assembly out from the top in one piece. A new handbrake assembly from the wreckers will usually cost around $30. Just make sure the teeth on the one you buy are not too worn. Install is reverse procedure. Hope that helps

[The1]

not sure if this helps but i found this image in a manual

[Rusty]

thanks for the info guys.

Diagram is extremely helpful too, looks like the relay rod has slipped out of the nut at the bottom of the boot.... somehow...? bit odd.

Will put up some pics of the SS when done, am currently stripping roof lining, carpet and every removable plastic piece in vehicle. Planning on going black with everything, roof lining, flooring and most of the dash. Rest will be a surprise. VR is house of colours blue over green pearl. cancelled rear bar. vy ss rims wiith slighly modded engine, usual stuff - extractors, cai, 2.5 inch exhaust without cats.

Am going to finish "Modernising" the interior and itll be back to under the bonnet. Am thinking stage 2 shift kit, altered throttle body, some new injectors and a decent tune.

Not a great deal of power but have previously owned a vz clubby and had my fun in that car. Now just sitting back and doing up a cheaper car to mod!

Any cool suggestions would be much appreciated, I realise that VR Commodores are in a million forums around here and ill continue checkin out everyone sweet rides,

cheers again guys

[delcowizzid]

once out of adjustment it pulls to high and the release button rod falls in to far you can fix it in situ with a bit of fiddling round then adjust the cable so you cant pull it too far up again and have to do it over again

[Rusty]

have removed the centre console now and for some reason the rely rod does not want to pull back up - even with pliers. next stage i am removing seats and carpet so will most probably remove the entire handbrake, try and fix it or just replace it. cheers for your help guys

[STUEY HOLDEN LOVER YEP]

HEY customvrss, i have the exact same problem with my car, and ive noticed that these posts were a couple months ago, so i figure uve fixed it by now... i got a vr ss ex cop car, maroon metallic, with vz monaro wheels, sounds like our cars would get along ;p just wondering how you went about fixing the problem with the handbrake... i was going to go to the wreckers this weekend and grab another one to replace it, but before i make a trip out to blacktown, i was hoping you could take 5 minutes to tell me how to fix mine...? thanks mate