Just like any other system in the car, the handbrake relies on all components working perfectly in order to stop the car from moving.
The handbrake lever operates the car’s braking system with the use of a brake cable, while the handbrake on most vehicles has a mechanical linkage of rods and cables. Over a period of time the linkage wears and the cables become slack, or the pivot points and linkage pins become badly grooved, allowing slack to build up.
MOST COMMON FAILURES The hand brake cannot be released, which can lead to: ■ Overheating brakes ■ Grinding noise, high wear and tear ■ In the worst case, the car will not move LESS COMMON FAILURE ■ No hand brake function
You can compensate for wear until the handbrake adjuster will not take up any more slack and you need to fit new parts. Alternatively, damage to the brake cable starts with a small crack in the outer polyamide cover, which allows water and dirt ingress. This causes corrosion which means that the cable cannot move freely.
Most car owners with automatic transmissions forget – or neglect – to use their handbrake when they park their vehicles, relying instead on ‘Park’ to hold the vehicle. The parking brake is required to activate the rear braking system which, in turn, keeps the rear brakes adjusted. Not using the handbrake can lead to a build-up of corrosion on the cable, resulting in its failure to function. This will mean an MOT failure.
Finding a suitable replacement
FAI brake cables are made to OE specifications and are designed specifically for the make and model of vehicle. The cables are 100% load tested and all materials have been certificated to ensure they meet the required specification of ISO 9002. All parts are galvanised and, where specified by the OE design, the inner wire has a nylon cover.
The FAI cable range has over 250 part numbers, covering around 90% of the vehicle parc. The range has recently been supplemented by an additional 100+ part numbers that cover many more popular models. The company also stocks a range of gear shift cables and clutch cables, of which the latter include auto adjust cables, built to OE specifications.
Fitting auto adjust cables
To avoid the possibility of cable failure, be careful not to insert the cable end
fitting into the square cavity situated above the housing end fitting.
The end fitting housing must be perfectly clean before fitting the cable to the pedal.
The cable end fitting must move freely inside its housing.
