S2 Xantia Handbrake Cable Woes

[Rhothgar]

Morning Chaps

Took Sylv's car for MOT and it needed discs and pads doing.

Like an idiot, I forget to detach the handbrake cable at the cable end before swinging the calipers up out of the way.

Anyway, long story short. I think I may have kinked the cables internally. As I drove home, it felt like the brakes were staying on momentarily after they had been applied. As sure as eggs are eggs, I get home jack it up and both front brake are binding.

So the question is:- Have I kinked the cables? Or has the self-adjusting mechanism I have just been reading about on here, adjusted up and giving the impression that something is wrong.

I am about to go and collect two replacement cables from Euro and go and fit them.

I am wondering if they charge a restocking charge? Because I am thinking now that the cables just need slackening off at the balancer internally.

Can't find my BOL either. Can S2 Xantia balancer be accessed without the need to fully remove the centre console?

Thanks in advance chaps. Could do without this rigmarole today to be honest.

Oh! And someone PLEASE tell me if I do have to change them that the job isn't as bad as doing a C5? I've noted some comments that the nut somewhere on the inside can need a PlusGas soaking and heat which is very different of course to cable seized in their guide tubes...

[RichardW]

What engine (well gearbox really!) are you dealing with? The larger ones with ML5 boxes need a longer cable on the LHS which is difficult to source. There is no internal balancer on a Xantia handbrake, single cable from the lever to under the tunnel, then the (seemingly inaccessible) splitter to the calipers. I would take the cables off the calipers and check they move freely and the brakes un-bind first of all.

[myglaren]

Roger, isn't Sylv's car a ZX?

[Rhothgar]

Yes. But the S2 (which is mine) is now Sylv's for use as her ZX has been off the road for 4 years now. Just can't bring myself to change the heater matrix again.

I'm still building up to it.

[Rhothgar]

What engine (well gearbox really!) are you dealing with? The larger ones with ML5 boxes need a longer cable on the LHS which is difficult to source. There is no internal balancer on a Xantia handbrake, single cable from the lever to under the tunnel, then the (seemingly inaccessible) splitter to the calipers. I would take the cables off the calipers and check they move freely and the brakes un-bind first of all.

Good point Richard. It's an HDi110.

Whilst writing, I've been to collect the cables from Euro. One I think is too short. It's listed as 1295 on Citroen but is 1262. That will probably need to go back.

Anyway, having just driven the car there is a metallic squealing when I steer right and although I disconnected the cables yesterday the brakes still seem to be binding.

I'll jack it up when I get home and spray the levers and free them off.

[xantia_v6]

I have fortunately never needed to change a handbrake cable, but my Xantia (same Bosch 288 mm brakes) also has an issue with the brakes apparently not releasing cleanly, the pads "sing" when they are hot, and are silenced by applying the brake or handbrake slightly. I thought that it might be a sticky calliper slide, so dismantled and lubricated, but it has not fixed it. I am fairly sure that mine is not due to the handbrake cables.

[ekjdm14]

This not releasing cleanly can also be a side-effect of the "silly spring" in the back of the pedal, if still fitted. I noticed on our auto that it took a few seconds before it'd start to creep forward after stopping at the lights, but having performed the delete I find the brakes release fully and immediately now.

[Rhothgar]

Think I've nailed it chaps.

I stripped down both sides again. There is a ringing like when you rub the rim of a wine glass with a wet finger when turning left.

Actually, it doesn't really sound like that but it's similar.

As I was in a rush the week before, I forgot to release the handbrake cables and also forgot to use copper grease on the back of the pads.

So I coated the back of the pads (and the front for good measure!) and reassembled. The ringing seems to be coming from the nearside. I'll post an audio link up tomorrow so you can hear it before. And a video of the hub being turned with no pads in which is also of concern.

Anyway, when I stitched it all back together I noticed the nearside parking brake actuator is not releasing fully when the cable is attached so I've disconnected that side until I can borrow a ramp at a mate's garage.

The outer casings are both cracked and the inner is most definitely kinked on the nearside so I guess I ought to change both.

Having read a couple of posts, I noted that Euro's database for handbrake cable lengths was wrong back in 2014. It seems like it still is. Nearside should be 1295mm. They've sold be a 1262mm. The offside should be 1335mm but they've sold me a 1333mm. which should be OK. Think I need to get a refund on the nearside one though and source one of the correct length.

[Rhothgar]

Actually GSF list the RHS cable as 1262 also but Citroen state 1335mm. I think even GSF's catalogue is wrong. Can any of them get it right?

One of the suppliers, is it Mister Auto, on Ebay seems to sell the correct length at 1295 but the cost is nearly £30.00

[ekjdm14]

For something only likely to be changed once in a vehicle's lifetime like a handbrake cable, I'd bite the bullet on that £30 one. After all, it'll be a constant reminder to treat the brakes with care in future As for Mister Auto, they've very mixed reviews I've found. A couple of members (think Daviemck and Zel?) have had negative experiences with electrical bits from there but I've had other stuff like cambelts from them and they've been ok.

[Rhothgar]

After all, it'll be a constant reminder to treat the brakes with care in future

Tell the missus!