Strange hand break problem

[HarmlessMuffinMan]

Sooooo. I have no idea how to explain this... Im kinda half baked so you might have to excuse the explanation or things don't make sence..

So my hand break.. Usually when you pull a hand break a little bit, it applys a bit of preasure, the harder you pull, the more preasure you get on the disks.

However with mine, it doesn't do that. You pull the hand break, nothing, a bit harder, nothing, a bit harder... Nothing, a bit harder and BANG! Makes a loud noise as the breaks kicks in... And yeah actually makes a noise... Does that make sence? Do you understand.. Or has anyone had this problem/know how to fix it.

Thanks!

Yeah I go wait for the final episode of Stargate Universe to finish... Damn SYFY "So Yeah F*** You", for canceling it

RIP SGU

[Boonz]

thats how vt/vx/vy/vz handbrakes are designed to work. is perfectly normal

[acarmody]

Mine does the same, and I'm pretty sure all VT/VX/VY do.

[som]

i think that the handbrake operates on drums (separate to the on road brakes but incorporated in the same casting ) and that being the case the shoes may be worn beyond adjustment or may simply need adjusting.if i'm correct there will be a small rubber dust cover on the drum,behind the disc, which if removed will expose an adjuster which may be difficult to see.if you've never adjusted drum brakes before it's probably a good idea to ask the advice of someone who has,perhaps an older relative or friend who has serviced their own cars cos it seems like a long time ago but drum brakes used to be fitted to most cars. THIS PROBABLY WON'T WORK but back in the day,to adjust you rear drums you would apply the footbrake firmly whilst reversing and that woul automatically adjust the brakes so perhaps you could try applying the handbrake whilst reversing (not fully and certainly not till it goes bang )you may have to do it a couple of times so be bloody careful not to hit something.good luck

[philba]

my VT handbrake doesnt make any noise when i use it
and yes the handbrake is a drumbrake setup located in the rear disc

[jr689]

Neither does my VY handbrake

Pull it up 5 clicks (no "bangs") and it's fully engaged...

[HarmlessMuffinMan]

I have serviced drum breaks on an Excel, but that was ages ago... Few posts say its normal, and a few say it needs to be adjusted... When my 'holden guru' gets back from NSW (Oh that reminds me... I need to feed his frogs x.X), Ill have a chat with him about taking them appart and tightening them and checking the shoes on them... If I manage to fix the problem, you are all in luck... Yes thats right, soon it will be time for something epic... Something so fantastic that you will all need to wear heavy duty tena pads to contain the excitement... Thats right, I, Boypocketsjr, will write up another how too... DUN DUN DUnnnnnnnn...

Thanks for your help guys!

[accentstencil]

my VT handbrake doesnt make any noise when i use it
and yes the handbrake is a drumbrake setup located in the rear disc

I think he means that the handbrake makes a loud clunck if applied when the car is moving at a fair speed, if so then mine does as well and my last two commodores also did. No noise when car is stationery.

[klampy]

I think he means that the handbrake makes a loud clunck when applied when the car is moving at a fair speed, if so then mine does as well and my last two commodores also did. No noise when car is stationery.

yep. my VR did the same thing, my wifes VX also does it. simple answer. dont pull the handbrake while moving. get a hydraulic handbrake if you wanna do handbrakies.

[pablo]

That design of hand brake is only meant to hold the vehicle when stopped, not to slow it too a stop. ....bit of a knackers idea I recon.

[Brett_jjj]

VS does it too.

[graham7773]

^^^+++ to Pablo's post. I found out the hard way. Pulled my hand brake on at about 7kph, loud metallic SLAP from the rear end. Thought I had major rear end problems. Got on here and found that it is normal. The hand brake is no longer an emergency brake, it is for holding the car when parked only. This is because the braking system with ABS is considered failsafe as it is almost impossible to lose all braking with the dual circuit type used. Probably puts paid to handbrake turns too.

[VYMAD]

My VY's have done that, so too, my son's VT, fairly normal.
As to the thread about adjusting it by reversing with foot on the brake, doesn't do anything for handbrake adjustment, was only for drum brakes on the old cars. Needs to be done through the rubber grommet at the wheels, then at base of handbrake handle if needed.

[Mick1988]

It's not normal though because none of my cars do it.

[VYMAD]

It's not normal though because none of my cars do it.

I wonder why that is? All the Commodores I have driven do it.

[alpine-wolf]

I had the same problem for the past few years, then I noticed progressively over about a month the handbrake was getting worse, I was having to pull it harder to engage. Found out that the little pawl clip on the inside of the drum brake ratchet mechanism had worn both sides so every time I pulled the brake they would loosen.

Anyway long story short, replaced the pawls on both sides and adjusted the brakes to just touching then backed of a couple of clicks on the ratchet and now they don't do the "clunk" anymore. Also the drum mechanism on these is not auto adjusting either.

[HarmlessMuffinMan]

Might give that a go. I got an almighty fright when I was on a dirt road and trying to piss my fiance off.