Hand brake? (1 Viewer)

[Mags52]

We're on a site in Spain so a long way from home. Just discovered that the handbrake doesn't hold the front end of the van on levelling blocks. Even on as hard as it will go we rolled off again with a groan from the van (and us). The van was serviced and MOTd just weeks before we left - should we be concerned about our safety?
Mags

 

[Nirvanauk]

Have you left it in first or reverse gear? Don't wish to over simplify but can't you take it to a local garage? All the best.

 

[jockaneezer]

Stop it on the foot brake when you're on the ramps then leave it in gear with the engine off, it's probably worth getting someone to adjust the handbrake for you though, might need done at each wheel and not just on the cable.

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[Speve]

Yes you need to get it adjusted as soon as possible sure someone will know a local that could do that for you it may be a stretched handbrake cable, as long as your brakes work ok on the foot pedal you should be OK to drive to a workshop/ garage.

 

[Mags52]

Thanks all.
We've left it in gear yes. We're on this site for another three weeks and just got ourselves wedged into the back of the pitch so will leave it until it's time to go. There's a garage in the nearby town - we'll ask reception to book us in when the time comes and tell them what the problem is. Advice much appreciated - thanks again.

 

[Just smiffy]

A good tip is that you've got to use the hand brake at every opportunity to keep the ratchet or auto adjuster working properly, I even pull the handbrake up slightly when I'm driving to clean off the back pads and disks as they can glaze over and rust while standing for some time....

Warning..... I only do this where safe and at low speed and have the experience to know why.

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[pappajohn]

Handbrake is only tested in a forward direction at MOT.
Doesnt mean it is efficient going backwards....assuming you drive forwards onto the ramps.

 

[Wagoneer]

A properly adjusted handbrake should take about 5 or 6 clicks to make the brakes fully on.

If they are drum brakes, the brake shoes probably need adjusting. My drum brakes are not self-adjusting and require to be adjusted manually.

When you visit the garage, it might be worth getting them to strip down the brakes and inspect the brake shoes (assuming they are drum).

 

[Geo]

The pass rate for MoT Handbrake is a mere 16% a good handbrake can usually manage around 30-45% sometimes more as a % of efficiency

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[Techno]

Handbrake is only tested in a forward direction at MOT.
Doesnt mean it is efficient going backwards....assuming you drive forwards onto the ramps.

Fits with my experience. Handbrake applied facing downhill holds on the spot. Applied up hill it will roll back a few inches before biting but I suspect this is movement in the suspension (torsion bars). Mine is set as keen as possible without rub when off

 

[Lenny HB]

I take you don't have any wheel chocks with you? You should be able to get some localy, I never use the van on ramps without chocks.

 

[Mags52]

I take you don't have any wheel chocks with you? You should be able to get some localy, I never use the van on ramps without chocks.

That's a great idea. Thanks. Yes the van is forward up the ramps and rolls back as soon as the footbrake is off. It rolls back further than the usual few centimetres so we'll get it checked as soon as we leave here. We'll get chocks in the meantime. I didn't realise that the handbrake was only checked forward direction (thanks PappaJohn). You learn so much on this forum.

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[Jaws]

Never had a van that would hold on the ramps on the hand brake only.. Always kept them in gear..

 

[Allanm]

Surely the handbrake should be efficient in both directions, more important when you are in a queue of traffic uphill or doing a hill start

 

[Jaws]

Surely the handbrake should be efficient in both directions, more important when you are in a queue of traffic uphill or doing a hill start

SHOULD BE being the operative words
Most handbrakes use the old fashioned drum system and they are set up with a leading edge that works MUCH better one way than tother
There is also the issue of shoe wear.. They will be 'bedded in' in one direction usually

Later systems using disk and pad will work just as well either way

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[WSandME]

If your handbrake is capable of holding when facing downhill, but not uphill, reverse onto your ramps? I think this would also help getting going on muddy pitches?
Have to say handbrakes on both Hymers I've had held extremely well either way - even so, I always leave it in gear as well.

 

[tonyidle]

The pass rate for MoT Handbrake is a mere 16% a good handbrake can usually manage around 30-45% sometimes more as a % of efficiency

Which means, just in case you believe that a handbrake should hold under all conditions, that at 50% it will hold on a 45 degree slope and at 16% it will hold on a 14 degree slope. 45 degrees = 1 in 2; 16 degrees = 1 in 5.5.

 

[glenn2926]

Just a thought but have you tried putting the ramps behind the front wheels and reversing up them? The handbrake would then be stopping the van rolling forward. Not sure this came out as I meant it but I know what I mean.

Whoops just seen the other post saying the same thing.

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[Mags52]

We usually do that (reverse onto the ramps) but this pitch is very tight and it would mean driving over some bushes. Thanks for the idea though.

 

[CWH]

it would mean driving over some bushes.

I did that once. It wasn't a popular move.....

..... CCC Barley Meadow

 

[Gromett]

I have been having problems with my handbrake after getting the drum/shoes replaced after my massive lockup.

Got the rear cable replaced as it appeared to be seizing a little bit. When it came off and they slid the cable out of the sheath it was frayed, rusted to heck and didn't look like it would have lasted another day never mind held anything.

New handbrake cable and the van is like new

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