Handbrake floppage!

[winnie]

For a while my handbrake has been a bit of a risky hold and recently it just completely gave up. I have had it resting on the flat since it happened and have only just got the time to sort it out.

I've not yet had a look, but does anyone happen to know what the likely cause is so I can estimate how tricky it'll be to sort out and how long the job will take roughly? Also a guide on what may need doing and what tools I'll need. I've searched Wiki and previous posts but didn't find any problems similar, which I'm hoping means it'll be a simple job (touch wood) quite the novice so I appreciate all help

Thanks

[Nicola&Tony]

. . . a bit of a risky hold and recently it just completely gave up.

Need a bit more info about what your handbrake does / doesn't do. If it doesn't stop the van from moving when stopped on a slope, when were the brakes last serviced? Shoes might just need adjusting in the drum. Have you got a Haynes manual?

If you pull the handbrake lever up and the lever won't stay up ("floppage"???) then that'd be a different problem.

Tony

[happy camper]

most probable cause is a rotten backplate that has allowed the cable to be pulled through this can either be plated for £20 or a new back plate will cost ya £60 for the part

[winnie]

Hey - thanks for the replies guys,
Yes I have a Haynes manual and have had a look at the handbrake assembly section. The handbrake doesn't stay up at all just 'flops' down... before it would just about hold on the last click if I pulled it up and over towards the passenger side now its completely given up and i have an oil bottle holding it up in place!

Um as for the brakes being serviced.. a year and a half ago maybe..

Is the backplate underneath the handbrake lever?

[Gunslinger]

sounds like the ratchet in the handbrake lever itself has given up on you