Xantia Hand Brake Efficiency

[DHallworth]

I've got a 2001 Xantia HDi SX that has just failed it's MOT on handbrake efficiency.

The car has had new handbrake cables last year and new front discs and pads and the calipers rebuilt 2 days prior to being MOT'd this year, the car brakes work perfectly and are perfectly balanced however the handbrake efficiency came out at only 5%.

We've tightened the cables slightly at the wheels and the handbrake is tight to pull on yet the car can still creep very easily with the handbrake on tight.

Does anyone have any ideas what might be causing this?

Thanks

David.

[exect]

I once got a fail because they did not know it works on the front wheels!
Exect

[addo]

Who did the calipers?

What it sounds like, is the pistons' central helical bores are rotating too easily when the handbrake should be staying on, and the pistons are creeping back slightly.

[RichardW]

If both are down on efficiency, but the lever is still tight and not coming up a mile, I'd be suspicious that the centre cable is seized. Do the levers on both calipers move, do they go up tight when the lever is applied?

[Mandrake]

What brand and part numbers were the handbrake cables ? There are many aftermarket cable that claim to be compatible which simply don't fit and don't work properly. I went through a real ordeal to find the correct handbrake cables for my V6, documented in another thread on the forum. (check towards the end of the "I'm back and looking for a Citroen" thread for more details)

[DHallworth]

I'm going back for the retest in the morning just so I can have a chat with them and see what's going on.

It passed it's MOT last year with these cables so don't think it's the wrong cables.

When the handbrake is pulled tight the arms on the calipers both get pulled tight.

Addo: We bought caliper refurb kits from Bigg Red on eBay and fitted them ourselves.

David.

[KennyW]

David,

My hand brakes only just passed in June but I wonder if new seals on the front pistons along with checking the lever might improve for next year. Will also be fitting new brake cables on both sides due to wear in the outer sheaths.

Kenny

[DHallworth]

We tightened the cables slightly and with the footbrake on worked the handbrake several times last night after speaking with citroenxm who suggested it.

Handbrake then on the driveway seemed much better. Took it in this morning and it passed so it seems to have done the trick!

David.