MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Maintenance, Problems & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: michaelb on August 1, 2018, 13:44

Title: Handbrake slipping
Post by: michaelb on August 1, 2018, 13:44
Hey folks, I was sitting in my car yesterday and it started creaking then moving slowly backwards but the handbrake was fully on. Is this normal for older MR2's and can it be put right?

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Title: Re: Handbrake slipping
Post by: dan944 on August 1, 2018, 13:46
Quote from: michaelb on August  1, 2018, 13:44
Hey folks, I was sitting in my car yesterday and it started creaking then moving slowly backwards but the handbrake was fully on. Is this normal for older MR2's and can it be put right?

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Have a little search on the forum mate.

There's lots of info on this. Nothing to worry about generally but will need rectifying. Very common but I believe there's a how to for it?

Bit busy at the moment or I'd link it for ya. :)
Title: Re: Handbrake slipping
Post by: michaelb on August 1, 2018, 13:49
Cheers bud

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Title: Re: Handbrake slipping
Post by: 1979scotte on August 1, 2018, 14:50
Quote from: michaelb on August  1, 2018, 13:44
Hey folks, I was sitting in my car yesterday and it started creaking then moving slowly backwards but the handbrake was fully on. Is this normal for older MR2's and can it be put right?

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All MR2S of all ages although the roadster seems most prone.
Title: Re: Handbrake slipping
Post by: michaelb on August 1, 2018, 14:55
Can it be put 100% right? I enjoy a good handbrake lol

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Title: Re: Handbrake slipping
Post by: PhilzMR2 on August 1, 2018, 18:25
Handbrakes need regular attention on these cars. I do find it strange that Toyota struggled to find a good solution for a car this light. The normal suspects are seized handbrake cables or seized calipers but sometimes a dismantle and clean does the trick. Don't expect a great handbrake though even when it's working.
Title: Re: Handbrake slipping
Post by: michaelb on August 1, 2018, 18:27
Cheers! That's a bit mad that something as generic as a manual handbrake should be a weak point in a car! Lol I had the handbrake checked in May before the MOT and it did need a new caliper on one side bit I'd have thought that would have sorted me for a good while!

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Title: Re: Handbrake slipping
Post by: Carolyn on August 1, 2018, 19:02
Quote from: PhilzMR2 on August  1, 2018, 18:25
Handbrakes need regular attention on these cars. I do find it strange that Toyota struggled to find a good solution for a car this light. The normal suspects are seized handbrake cables or seized calipers but sometimes a dismantle and clean does the trick. Don't expect a great handbrake though even when it's working.

Sorry, Phil, I have to disagree there!  I have two roadsters, both with excellent handbrake performance.  They can be sorted to a good level.
Title: Re: Handbrake slipping
Post by: Joesson on August 1, 2018, 19:03
Hand brake (or parking brake performance)  is not of the best in other cars as well as the 2, as mentioned in the many write ups on here,  even the Toyota handbook advises to apply the parking brake while depressing the foot brake. Long ago, well before I had my 2 I started to park in 1 st ( reverse if facing downhill) gear to supplement the parking brake performance.
Title: Re: Handbrake slipping
Post by: michaelb on August 1, 2018, 19:03
I'll ask the guy doing my conversion to sort it while it's in!

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Title: Re: Handbrake slipping
Post by: michaelb on August 1, 2018, 19:03
I always put a car in gear when parking up!

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Title: Re: Handbrake slipping
Post by: Mr X on August 1, 2018, 22:34
before buying any calipers or cables or paying garages to do it..
Slacken the cables right off (unlock the top 10mm nut on the cable and the following bolt attached the to cable on the handbrake under the centre part of the centre console). Pump the brake pedal 10 times, take the slack off the handbrake cable and pull the handbrake 10 times... Whole process again for good measure. Then tighten so I get 5 clicks, take the handbrake off and make sure I can push the car easily. Put it back on and make sure I can't.
This resets the handbrake adjuster.
If this doesn't work, a caliper or cable might be seized.
Title: Re: Handbrake slipping
Post by: PhilzMR2 on August 2, 2018, 20:49
Quote from: Carolyn on August  1, 2018, 19:02
Sorry, Phil, I have to disagree there!  I have two roadsters, both with excellent handbrake performance.  They can be sorted to a good level.

OK that's quite encouraging. I will have to have another go at fixing mine!