C5 Handbrake Cable

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » 13 Dec 2010, 10:43

Couple of months back while changing pads and discs tried changing handbrake cables. After releasing inside car, I pulled as hard as I could under the wheel arch but they were stuck in the pipes under the car. (the part of the cable going into the pipe is not that long and wondering if they are glued in or something?). There was sufficient give with the old H/B cables so left them alone but the old sheathing is broken in the middle and thought maybe problem with water ingress / freezing etc.

Aha, last week in the freezing weather I pulled on the handbrake and the brakes stuck on, (due to the sheathing being broken on the old handbrake cables I think water has got inside and frozen..or maybe the caliper H/B mechanism frozen???)... had to pull over against the kerb and with the suspension up manually pull back the caliper H/B levers which were very tight.

So removing the cables.....would applying some heat to the metal pipe where the handbrake cable body enters help at all?

Post by **RichardW** » 13 Dec 2010, 12:03

As I understand it the usual cure is to replace the cables and the tubes. To do this you need to remove the exhaust and heat shields. Not a lot of fun on the floor this weather

KevMayer · Post by **KevMayer** » 13 Dec 2010, 17:14

I had this problem on my C5. I got new cables very easily, but, when I tried to change them they would not budge from the guide tubes.

After looking around the web I concluded that the tubes would haveto be replaced. So, that's what I did.

I hadto remove the exhaust (including disconnect the temperature and pressure sensors to the FAP on my 2.2 Hdi) and remove the heat shielding.

I did it with the front up on axle stands and it wasn't too bad. You need the front wheels off to access the tubes so ramps weren't an option.

I got the new tubes from a Citroen specialist and he said they've hadto replace loads of them on the C5.

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » 13 Dec 2010, 20:36

Thanks Richard/Kev.

Any idea on cost of the guide tubes?

Just wondering if I tape up the splits I can stop water getting in and freezing...only happens in very cold weather....otherwise the handbrake cables seem okay'ish though new ones will probably make a difference.

Post by **RichardW** » 13 Dec 2010, 21:26

From service.citroen:

Part Number Description Quantity Price excl. VAT Price incl. VAT Total incl. VAT
0000476921 CABLE GUIDE 15.64 GBP 18.38 GBP 18.38 GBP

0000476920 CABLE GUIDE 15.64 GBP 18.38 GBP 18.38 GBP

Might be available aftermarket, but I guess dealer only.

Post by **quintet** » 13 Dec 2010, 22:59

I've always replaced the guide tubes, a work mate tried using oxyacetylene to burn out some cables that were seized in, it took *him (aka *the bloody fool) hours on end & lots of cursing (i told him to order guide tubes before he even started the job, but of course he (thought) he knew better

), doing the job on the ground would be tricky as mentioned above, the large exhaust heat shield needs to come out & there is a bracket for the *power steering (*i think) mounted on the n/s of the subframe, this piddling little bracket kinda gets in the way when removing the l/h guide tube & the 10mm bolts used on it aren't the easiest to get to (i use a 10mm ratchet spanner with a flex head on it).

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » 15 Dec 2010, 18:14

Thanks Richard & Quintet.

I have temporarily uncoupled the handbrake cable from the nearside caliper and the car is working A1. The handbrake works on hills holding just the o/side wheel.

I called into a motor factors today to see a HB cable. The part that goes into the guide tube is 30mm long tops. Cant this just be drilled out?

dnsey · Post by **dnsey** » 15 Dec 2010, 21:15

Just wondering if I tape up the splits I can stop water getting in and freezing

If the cable is otherwise OK, good-quality heatshrink will effect a permanent repair. I've done this more than once.

Post by **quintet** » 16 Dec 2010, 00:05

Jeff wrote:Thanks Richard & Quintet.

I have temporarily uncoupled the handbrake cable from the nearside caliper and the car is working A1. The handbrake works on hills holding just the o/side wheel.

I called into a motor factors today to see a HB cable. The part that goes into the guide tube is 30mm long tops. Cant this just be drilled out?

I'm not quite sure what you mean when you say 'the part that goes into the guide tube is 30mm long max' - the handbrake cable runs through the full length of the guide tube.

do you mean the end (plastic) bit of the hand brake cable that plugs into the guide tube? in my experience it's not that bit that cause's the issue, it's the actual (thin) cable that runs through the cable guide that becomes seized.

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » 16 Dec 2010, 18:13

Thanks quintet, I was indeed referring to the end plastic bit.

I see your point, extremely awkward to remove from the guide tube.

I rang local Citroen dealer and priced up guide tubes (15.64&vat - exactly as Richard said) but could not believe price for HB cable - £42 odd&vat each!

Will have to price HB cables from motor factors but another thing, are they the same length each side, as I remember someone on here had a problem with cables being too short?

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 16 Dec 2010, 19:22

Both sides have the same part number so must be identical.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 16 Dec 2010, 20:40

After my O/S front brake almost caught fire due to the same problem, i set about changing the cables, they were stuck in the guides. So i got new guide tubes, they didnt want to leave the car, I couldn't work out were they were attached, so I put it into a Citroen indy for them to do it.

However, after the new tubes and cables were fitted and both callipers had been free'd off on the handbrake levers and the discs and pads replaced the brake stuck again. The levers on the callipers seized again, despite them feeling free when working them.

I removed them, tipped them on their side, sprayed in a freeing spray, letting it run down into the calliper while working the lever. It took a while but it did free and ive not had the same problem again.

A sticking brake usually gives a wheel wobble on the C5, so its easy to tell if they are binding or not.

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » 17 Dec 2010, 13:29

Thanks all.

Just wondering, has anyone changed the HB cables without renewing the guide tubes?

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 18 Dec 2010, 21:48

Usually the outer section of the cable becomes bonded to the tube, through corrosion, so its virtually impossible to get them out.

One of mine i got the inner cable out, but it left the outer plastic coating of the HB cable bonded tight to the guide tubes.

The tubes are not that expensive though, luckily.

woodywoodpecker · Post by **woodywoodpecker** » 18 Dec 2010, 22:05

Jeff wrote:Thanks all.

Just wondering, has anyone changed the HB cables without renewing the guide tubes?

Jeff,
I changed mine without the guide tubes, drivers side inner cable came out ok but the passenger side was stuck big time. I took the guide tube with inner cable off the car and cut the nipple off the end and pulled the inner cable out. Then i realised the plastic case of the inner cable was stuck solid in the guide tube, dealer was closed by this time so i heated the guide tube with a blow lamp and used the old inner cable to push the old plastic case out.... what a total bitch to do but got there in the end. Befor you fit the new cables in the guide tubes put loads of grease on the cables and down the tubes.