Hey everybody, I need help, please.


I went to pull the emergency brake handle up when I parked in my driveway today and it wouldn't stay up. It has tension as I pull it up, it just doesn't stay up. I am very confused. I would love any help and advice I can get.









Thanks in advance,










Haile

 

Do you mean the handle won't stay up, but the brakes are getting applied if you hold it, or the e-brakes are not getting applied when you pull the handle up?

If the handle won't stay up, but it is applying the brake when you hold it, there is a "pawl" that holds the handle up, with a spring that holds it against a ratchet. Either the spring or the pawl or both are broken or fell out. Remove the center console trim and take a look. The Bentley manual covers it if you have one.

If the e-brake isn't applying, I would guess it is frozen/rusted e-brake cables. I had mine rust stuck this winter - There are DIY posted here about that. I found the cheap aftermarket brake cables didn't fit well. ECSTuning supposedly has better quality aftermarket versions and of course you can still get the dealer version.

 

Links in the thread for the DIY and recommend to replace in pairs. Thanks

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ke-freeze.html

 

If you're getting tension on the hand brake handle, and it effectively stops the car, it's more likely the ratcheting mechanism as David.R53 said and not the cables. Cables do fail, BTW, and can prematurely wear out one or more of your rear brake pads. First things first: pull up the ebrake handle boot, and inspect the ratchet and pawl.

It never hurts to have a professional check the brakes. Two things never to mess with in a car: brakes and steering.