Car handbrake cable

Parking brake cable is a component of the parking brake. Parking brake serves to prevent movement of the vehicle. Otherwise, it would not be possible to leave car on the inclined plane. In addition, parking brake is a good protection against undesirable attempts to move the car. Parking brake cable is usually made of wire and has a flexible and resistant to the pressure braid, which protects the cable against breakage and damage.

It happens so that parking brake cable breaks. Usually the reason is wear. It is very easy to diagnose this problem. If the handbrake doesn’t hold or tighten up without effort, it is likely that the cable is broken. As the parking brake is used quite often, it is necessary to repair it as soon as possible. It is not difficult to do, just follow the correct order. If you want to replace the cable by yourself, use the repair manual for your car, or contact the service centre.

It is necessary to check the functionality of the new cable after replacement. It's enough to stop the car on the inclined plane and tighten the hand brake. If the parking brake cable is correctly installed, the car will stand still on the decline. For security there should not be parked cars nearby. And be ready to brake any moment. In our Internet shop you will find many spare parts for your car: brake shoes, horns, rear view mirrors, turn indicators, and taillights. There is a big assortment of car parts in our online store and you will definitely find what you need.

How to detect malfunction of the parking brake cable

If there are any break signs you should visually inspect the part. It should not have any mechanical defects or corrosion traces. In case there are any, perform immediate cable replacement. Check out fastenings of the brake cable splitter. Fastenings can loosen if the handbrake is used frequently.

To check if the wheels are locked completely when the parking brake is on, you will need a special test bench. If one or several wheels are blocked only partly or cannot be blocked at all, then the cable is out of order.

There are almost no working lifecycle restrictions for the component. If the part is not damaged physically and its operation rules are followed, than there may be no need for replacement for more than 10 years.

You can notice that the parking brake cable needs to be diagnosed by the following signs:

• parking brake is not reacting;
• brake fluid indicator has started to illuminate;
• parking brake freezes up in cold season;
• the wheels are partly blocked when the parking brake is applied;
• the wheels are locked up with unengaged parking brake.

Causes of Parking brake cable malfunctions

One of the most common causes due to which the driver has to replace parking brake cable, is damage of the polymer sheath. At its integrity violation, steel wires of the cable are subject to influence of moisture and dirt. Also they may abrade due to greasing material lack. Eventually, this leads to full cable break or its jamming. Ingress of moisture into the component sheath may also be caused by dust boot tear. This is especially dangerous in cold season, when condensated water turns to ice and prevents free sliding of the cable.

Usage of low-quality components, loosening of adjusting nuts and fastenings, stretching and breaking of the cable wires result in increase of control lever free travel. This leads to significant reduction of parking brake system functionality.

If handbrake is not used for a continuous time period, its cables may get oxidized. Sometimes emergency braking and excessive loads, caused by frequent mechanism usage without purpose, may become a destructive factor. Storing of the vehicle in unheated, moist and poorly ventilated premises causes quick corrosion. It is recommended to treat cables with special greasing material for its prevention.

Replacement of the parking brake cable

The parking brake cable cannot be repaired. For component replacement you will need assistance of another person.

First of all, completely dismantle the brake drums of the rear wheels and the exhaust system. After that, loosen the lock nuts and disconnect the equalizer. Dismantle the cable casing and disconnect it from the lever which is located in the passenger compartment. Replacement takes a lot of time. For new parking brake cable installation, it is recommended to contact a service station.