Handbrake released, now lever will not rise... van stuck!

[scottyh56]

At first I thought my 1988 T25 Westfalia was having a standard handbrake seizure issue. I used to have this on a T4 but never the hint of a similar issue on this T25.

I applied the usual revs and for a split second I was away. But the van stopped abruptly. I went to apply the handbrake to collect my thoughts but the handbrake would barely rise in my hand (pulling against a strong tension) and does not engage in the 'up' position.

So the handbrake lever is more or less stuck on the floor and the brake is stuck on - the way the van rears up I thing it's binding on one side. It's what is going on with the handbrake lever makes little sense.

I'd take it straight in to my usual mechanic but it's telling me it does not want to go...

Any advice on what's going on and next steps much appreciated!

Thanks

Scott

[paperhouselad]

Sounds like somthings come adrift in the brake drum, when you moved forward it caused that drum to lock up. If you could jack it up and try to turn the wheel backwards, that mayfree it off, to enable the drum to come off and find the trouble. Good luck.

[Oldiebut goodie]

Check that the sheath hasn't come out of it's hole in the backplate or the other end. (Usually welded in with rust and carp though, not loose)

[CovKid]

or one of the brake retaining springs come adrift and wedged itself somewhere. You'll need to pop drums off and have a good look.

[what2do]

Tried reverse? How far away is your mechanic? Ps. I'm not suggesting you reverse all the way to your mechanic

[scottyh56]

Thanks for all the responses which I've just picked up.

I have to reverse out of my parking spot so that I have very much tried going backwards. Sadly, 3 feet in front is a wall - I have gingerly tried going forward but no success.

With the weather forecasts I may not get a chance to have a look at your feedback for a couple of days. Bit of a bind not being able to get it up on my ramps!

I shall also dig out my Rescue documents (Adrian Flux) to see if I have any form of home cover. I think my mechanic will expect me to get the van to him....

Cheers

Scott

[California Dreamin]

Handbrake stuck down with tension! weired! as I would have said the same ^^^ something has broken off and is under the shoes! however, one side would still leave the balance bar pulling the other side cable.
And a normally 'seized on' brake gives a floppy hand brake.
Defo needs the drums stripping.

Martin

[scottyh56]

Sorry, not to return but a couple of weeks passed by and how this was resolved may or not be helpful....

Before calling in my regular mobile mechanic I decided to take a look myself. I proceeded to jack the vehicle up and as I lifted of the ground I heard a tiny metallic click from within the drum. Aha! I lowered the wheel and found that the handbrake could now be raised, and when lowered the van now moved.

That was not the end of the story. If there was something loose within the drum then it had to come out. But curiously my mechanic could not find any offending object. He stripped the brake down and replaced all the springs etc.

So far so good, but sadly I cannot say what had actually gone wrong...