urgent - handbrake stuck

[janieh]

hi all

we're just about to leave for the weekend, and we've got in the van and the handbrake is being weird. it felt normal when i took it off to start with, but the van wouldn't move. there's nothing restricting the wheels, so i tried putting the brake back on, then off again, but it feels a bit wierd and spongy and when down, isn't releasing.

help! is there anything I can do quickly that might help solve this? otherwise i'm going to have to go and get a train to somerset!
thanks
Jane

[Grun]

Hi janieh,

Had this happen to my Bay window van when it had been stood a long time in my garage when I was working overseas.

Think it is caused by the brake shoes remaining in contact with the drums.
I had got a tow back out of the garage, handbrake off of course. The shoes then released with a thud when the van moved, and thereafter all was normal.
I never leave the handbrake on now when in the garage.

Rear wheels off and hit the brake drums with a lump hammer may do the trick.
Mike

[janieh]

hurray! no worries. i called our local brixton ATS and they just advised my to give it a go on the accelerator and just try and get it moving. The pads had got stuck cos it hadn't been used a while. gave it a go and it's moving!

i guess i probably need something replacing on it, but for now we're off.
cheers
jane

[Rozzo]

you dont need owt replacing,, either use it more often or park it in gear with the handbrake off and it will be fine
if it ever does it again thrash the area between the wheelstuds with a hammer and it will come off.

[dwayne]

thrash the area between the wheelstuds with a hammer and it will come off.

man after me own heart give it a good thrashing

[janieh]

you dont need owt replacing,, either use it more often or park it in gear with the handbrake off and it will be fine
if it ever does it again thrash the area between the wheelstuds with a hammer and it will come off.

It was only a week since we'd moved it, so not that long. Also, our drive is on a slope. I'm not sure it's a good idea to leave it in gear but without the handbrake on due to that. What do you think?

Cheers, Jane.

[Damien]

if your worried just chock the wheels with a couple of bricks or similar.