2015 Cooper S
So, with the lever down in the unlocked position, there is no jiggle in the handle. I have to put some effort and than it will come up and lock the brake.
When I release the brake, the handle releases but the brake stays locked in, at this point the handle moves freely up and down but again the brake stays locked.
I have to reach under the car with a wrench and loosen the caliper manually that way and at that point the handle goes back to being stiff with no movement.

From what I read, it can be the cable, the caliper. I am assuming its the cable only as the caliper does work.

So, anyone else have this issue, replaced the cable and problem fixed?

Thank you

 

When you release the brake handle, does the cable go loose at the caliper while the caliper brake lever sticks? If yes, then it’s the caliper. If the cable sticks and goes loose at the handle end, then the cables need to be replaced.

 

In my experience, it's the parking brake mechanism in the brake caliper that is frozen/rusted. You'll need to replace (or rebuild) the caliper. If it were the cable, you wouldn't be able to pull the brake handle up to apply the brake. I live in the north, where the roads get salted in the winter, and I can't tell you how many rear calipers I've had to replace over the years because the parking brake mechanism in the caliper had frozen/rusted, both Honda and Mini. I've never had to replace a handbrake cable.

 

I actually never checked if the cable was loose when the caliper was engaged. I'll check that tomorrow actually.

But when the caliper is engaged and I release the handle, the caliper stays engaged and I can move the handle up and down freely without pushing in the button. It's almost as if there is no cable. But I then reach under with a wrench and release the caliper. The Brake handle goes back to being stiff with no play in it.

I'll also try to upload a short video.

thank ya

 

Yeah, im over here in CT but have never had any such issues, (VW's, Volvo 240's), this is my first Cooper and the first time I have had such an issue, thankfully its not a real issue by any means, just annoying.

So, when I release the caliper with the wrench, it moves pretty easily but there was 1 time last winter where I had to actually put some force to release it but it was winter and i i recall i had pulled the handle pretty hard to get it to lock in.


Im going to try and get a short video about it tomorrow.

Thank ya!

 

My guess is the caliper mechanism is sticking, and the caliper needs to be replaced. Happened to my R55 Clubman. Pick up a can of penetrating fluid and start spaying the brake line connections.