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Hand Brake Stuck On Rectification
Typical Cost: Low
Mobile Repair? Yes
Typical Lead Time: 24 hours due to parts availability
Why do brake shoes stick on?
Brake shoe and pad material contains an element of metal within it. As the pad material wears, more of this metal content becomes exposed.
As the surface against which they press is cast iron (the brake drums), in damp conditions the metal content of the brake shoe material literally fuses to the drum with rust.
Then, although you have released the handbrake, the shoes themselves do not release as they are simply rusted and stuck to the drum.
How often does this occur?
This is a very common occurrence during the winter months as water and generally damp conditions are more prevalent and therefore it happens more frequently.
What vehicles are most commonly affected by this?
Whilst any car that has rear drum brakes is susceptible to this, the most common are the VAG makes (Audi, Seat, VW, Skoda) and the PSA makes (Citroen & Peugeot).
What can I do about it?
In all honesty, not a lot unless you leave the handbrake off and we do not recommend that! The original brake shoes from the above manufacturers contain more metal elements than the aftermarket parts, so even if you are able to free off the mechanism, it will simply occur again and again until they are changed.
What should I do if my wheels are locked?
Firstly and most importantly, DO NOT try and release them by rocking the car backwards and forwards using the engine revs and the clutch. If you do this, you run the risk of the brake shoe retaining pins being ripped out the backing plate and that will require considerably more work and more parts to resolve. If this doesn't occur, the bonding between the pad material and backing plate can be ripped apart, which is slightly less of an issue as the shoes need to be replaced anyway but still not good!
OK, so what needs to be done?
Quite simply, the brake shoes need to be replaced. The reason is, in order to get to the shoes, the drum has to be removed, so even if they can be released, half the work in replacing them has already been done and as mentioned previously, it will only happen again unless the shoes are changed.
What to search for on the ClickMechanic site?
Brake shoe replacement
How much does it cost to have the brake shoes replaced?
The cost of replacing the brake shoes depends on your car and location.
Find out what you could save by having your brake shoes replaced by ClickMechanic, by selecting your vehicle
https://www.clickmechanic.com/bookings/car
FAQ’s
Can I supply my own parts?
No, we will not fit customer supplied parts unless they are a brand new item, purchased from a dealership with the receipt as proof of purchase. There is no flexibility over this due to insurance and warranty issues.
What happens if the mechanic finds that the brake shoes do not require replacing and the problem is due to another issue?
In this scenario, the mechanic will provide a no obligation quote for the correct repair. Should you accept this, the mechanic can alter the booking accordingly. If you decide not to go ahead with the alternative repair, the mechanic can change the booking to a call out and diagnostic booking and charge according to the time spent with the vehicle and call out.