Handbrake sticking on !

[Tony Tone]

Id adjusted the handbrake for the MOT, all working fine for a week or two. Released the handbrake yesterday only to find out that the rear brakes were locked on and the cables were pulled very tight even with the lever released. Obviously I got under, released the nut several times and got them unstuck. Question is, why would this hapen ?. It had been fine for acouple of weeks after I adjusted it. Bit baffled if Im honest.

[mark]

don't leave it parked up with the handbrake on longer than over night, leave it gear

mark

[California Dreamin]

Id adjusted the handbrake for the MOT, all working fine for a week or two. Released the handbrake yesterday only to find out that the rear brakes were locked on and the cables were pulled very tight even with the lever released. Obviously I got under, released the nut several times and got them unstuck. Question is, why would this hapen ?. It had been fine for acouple of weeks after I adjusted it. Bit baffled if Im honest.

Cables pulled very tight? so you handbrake lever wouldn't go down?

Or do you mean the cables were Very slack but hadn't released from the drums?

Either the rear handbrake cables are internally seizing (water ingress because the rubber cable ends have split) or the shoes have simply rusted temporarily to the drums (not unusually after rain and prolonged application).

Martin

[Tony Tone]

I let the lever down but the cables remained taught and the lever couldnt be pulled on again.

[California Dreamin]

Sorry mate....that just doesn't make any sense.

So if you put the lever down and the cables remain taught? so from that I would surmise that they retract back into the drums, as they should but the lever could not be pulled up again?...so despite having retracted into the drums under return spring tension they couldn't then be pulled out again? strange.

You need to remove the wheels and drums, get someone to pull the handbrake part way (do not touch the brake pedal)...see what is happening, replace cables/other parts, as needed.
Unfortunately this is a bit of a guessing game unless you can actually see what is happening....are the cables seized? or has something come apart in the drums? or perhaps a cable has frayed with broken wires preventing correct movement. You need to strip down and have a look.

Martin

[Tony Tone]

Exactly as you say martin. Once let off the handbrake was solid to the floor and could not then be pulled back on , and yes the cables were taught. I too am baffled with it . Time to strip I guess

[Ralf85]

Back in the day London Transport had a problem to begin with, with the automatic rear brake adjustors on one particular type of bus. Some adjustors started adjusting every time the brake pedal was applied instead of gradually over time. So pretty soon the rear brakes would lock up completely. Why it should happen now I have no idea, but it might be the problem.