Question re C5 handbrake (2005)

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Wheeltrax
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Question re C5 handbrake (2005)

Post by Wheeltrax »

Hi all,
Im about to attempt replacing my handbrake cable as the old one snapped.
On the end of the guide tube (inside the wheel arch) is a black plastic shroud, should I remove this or does it actually belong to the guide tube?
I havent received the new cables yet so Im unsure how everything fits together.
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Re: Question re C5 handbrake (2005)

Post by citronut »

be aware you might require the guide tubes as well as the cables,
as going by findings of others on here these guide tubes on C5's rust away
Regards, malcolm.

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Post by daviemck2006 »

I had to replace the tube on mine. The cables seize up inside the tubes and although I got mine out I couldn't get the cable back into the old tube.
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Re: Question re C5 handbrake (2005)

Post by BX »

Unless you live in a dry climate you will probably need to replace the guide tube along with the cable. The problem is not that the tube rusts away but that a little rust on the inside of the tube makes it almost impossible to remove the cable. I have tried and failed. Some people on this board have indeed succeeded but for the price of the tube i just change them now. On the outside the tube will look fine. The problem is that water makes its way into the tube. Grease or oil or wax the inside of the new tube so that if the cable needs to be replaced again the job might be easier.
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Re: Question re C5 handbrake (2005)

Post by daviemck2006 »

It wasn't even such a difficult hob as I had imagined changing the tube. Took off the short cross member which is an exhaust mount and undo the heat shield fixers and got enough access to do it. A little bit of a fight pulling the tube out then in again from the wheel arch end, but just a little, not enough to say don't do it. I greased the new cable inside the tube, hopefully it won't seize up or break again. I think the tube only cost 18 quid off eBay.
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Re: Question re C5 handbrake (2005)

Post by Estately »

Hi Wheeltrax,
The new cable that I fitted to a 2006 estate came ready to offer up to the tube all parts included.

The old cable would not simply pull out of the tube and the new one would not just push back into it as an innocent person (such as me) would expect, hence no replacement tube ordered.

The cable was extracted by attaching a variable speed electric drill to the broken cable and pulling it out of the tube with the drill rotating relatively slowly from the wheel arch end. Also took the opportunity to get some oil into the tube to help the cable on its way out.

Used some extra tubing to support the rotating cable to stop it looping up on itself as it left the tube and the new cable went back in (Well oiled and greased) by rotating and pushing it back in (with support from the extra tubing). It only takes a few minutes to actually get the old cable out and put the new one in.

Clearly if you can gain good safe access under the car a replacement tube will take the doubt from knowing if the old tube is serviceable. Luckily ours was OK and still is.

Andy.
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Re: Question re C5 handbrake (2005)

Post by Wheeltrax »

Guys I appreciate your replies but the question was...
Is there a black plastic shroud on the end of the tube with the cable removed?
I need to know whether I should rip this off or not.
The other issues you've brought up ive already read up on ;)
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Re: Question re C5 handbrake (2005)

Post by citronut »

i have not been there on a C5 as yet so mught be talking B olocks,
looking on service citroen there appears to be something at both ends of the tube like a collar
Regards, malcolm.

current ride a BX 1.7 TZD estate
1986 MK1 BX 1.9na D Auto(in Mothman Andy's stable )
layed up roppy 1.9TD XANT estate, now gone to meet her maker
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Re: Question re C5 handbrake (2005)

Post by daviemck2006 »

As far as I remember the black plastic shroud is part of the cable.
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Re: Question re C5 handbrake (2005)

Post by Estately »

Hi Wheeltrax,

The black plastic shroud is part of the cable assembly and will be supplied as one piece. It is a Bowden cable type arrangement allowing the cable to flex with the steering.
The tube end under the wheel arch is flared and there is a (white) plastic fitting on the end of the plastic shroud which pushes and fits into the end of the tube, joining them together and the cable passes through it.

Over time, this fitting brakes or fractures and could allow moisture to enter down into the tube and at the same time causing the inner cable to kink in that one location. This will ultimately cause the inner cable to snap caused by excess movement around the joint of the tube and cable shroud when the hand brake is off whilst driving and the cable is under less tension. (I feel another hand brake cabe replacement coming on having just gone out to the car and refeshing my memory).

Hope that clarifies and helps.

Andy.
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Post by daviemck2006 »

And that is exactly where mine did break at.
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Re: Question re C5 handbrake (2005)

Post by Wheeltrax »

Thanks Andy, perfect answer :)
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Re: Question re C5 handbrake (2005)

Post by loco30 »

Hi i replaced my handbrake cable on my c5 earlier this year i had to buy the guide tube there was no way i could get the plastic cable sleeve out of the old tube i even put it in a furnace at work but the tube was still blocked the new guide was £20 from my local citroen dealer so not out of the way on price BUT BEWARE its a swine to get the new guide back in .
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Post by daviemck2006 »

It did take some skinned knuckles and a lot of swearing to get it back in, it came out easy enough with brute force lol. It is doable with the car on ramps on the drive though.
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Re: Question re C5 handbrake (2005)

Post by Wheeltrax »

Got one of the tubes off the car and the bas***d sleeve still wont come out.
After trying everything possible I've had to admit defeat and order 2 new tubes.
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