handbrake failure

caeclyd · Post by **caeclyd** » 10 Oct 2004, 19:18

The attached image shows the can lever on the caliper. It has sheared off.
Is this cam lever replacable or does it mean I have to have a complete new caliper?

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 10 Oct 2004, 20:12

OMG [:0]
That is DEFINATELY a nasty problem !
Get a SET of new (recon) calipers. Your car would simply be too dangerous to drive if differently worn/aged brake calipers are fitted at front.

caeclyd · Post by **caeclyd** » 10 Oct 2004, 20:56

"Get a SET of new or recon"
Anders, yes that makes sense. Has anybody else had a similar problem?

CommY · Post by **CommY** » 10 Oct 2004, 21:10

Get one from the scrappies £10 or weld the old one back on.

Homer · Post by **Homer** » 11 Oct 2004, 00:34

From the cutaway diagrams I have seen I would say the arm is replacable.
If you can get the parts.

NiSk · Post by **NiSk** » 11 Oct 2004, 02:43

Judging by the rusty look of the hole it came out of, I think you would be better off changing the whole caliper. One the insides of the parking brake get rusty, it's not worth the time it takes to fix them.
//NiSk

Post by **Jon** » 11 Oct 2004, 21:34

Citroen do a repair kit for the handbrake that they term as a "Kit emergency brake". It looks like this:

Part number is 95667819 >RP6901 then 442796 RP6902>>

Kowalski · Post by **Kowalski** » 11 Oct 2004, 21:42

That picture looks like a full caliper recon kit rather than being just for the emergency brake...

NiSk · Post by **NiSk** » 11 Oct 2004, 22:13

Notice the bit that's missing? - the parking brake operating arm!!
//NiSk

Kowalski · Post by **Kowalski** » 11 Oct 2004, 22:39

Its not in the kit because it never breaks or anything like that...
Look on the bright side of things, you won't have to unclip the hand brake cable to change the brake pads... at least on the right hand side.
Is that a brake pad wear indicator wire I can see all frayed in the background (top right corner of pic)?

ryanbaldwin · Post by **ryanbaldwin** » 11 Oct 2004, 22:57

This is my first post here - so first I'd like to thank you all for this great forum which I have been following now for many months.
I noticed in this thread the staement
"Get a SET of new (recon) calipers. Your car would simply be too dangerous to drive if differently worn/aged brake calipers are fitted at front."
This had me a little worried as a few months ago my Xantia went to a Citroen garage to have its break pads changed(and a few other bits). They found that the disks where also badly worn and needed replacing. Also aparently ONE of the front calipars was leaking. All the disks and pads where changed and also ONE of the front callipers was replaced. Does anyone know if this leaves my car unsafe to drive ?

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 11 Oct 2004, 23:38

As a rule of thumb - for the sake of safety :
you always go change critical brakes / suspension parts in pairs/both sides.
Not doing so brings in the risc (not the definate rule) that steering and/or braking makes the car unstable.
You wont see any professional garages advising owners to only replace parts in one side of the car.
As it's a risc you will only realise in critical situations - that's why it's a risc after all [B)]

ryanbaldwin · Post by **ryanbaldwin** » 12 Oct 2004, 00:16

Thanks Anders for the reply. Having thought that I could have got this wrong I have now checked the invoice.
The garage is I hope a professional garage - they are at least a 'Citroen Authorised Service Dealer'. I had alot of work done on the car(clutch and sphere's replaced). Although I had spent more money on the car then it was worth I though at least the clutch, suspension and brakes should be rock solid.
The line on the invoice reads:
"SUPPLY & FIT FRONT BRAKE PADS, FRONT BRAKE DISKS & O/S/F BRAKE CALIPER"
So just to clarify - in this circumstance should both front brake calipers have been replaced ? Maybe the garage was just trying to keep the costs of the whole lot down a little(the total price was a little scary) in which case would this be a reasonable ommision ?
I came across this thread whilst browsing after finding that in the three months since this work was done I had managed to loose 1/2 a litre of LHM some-where)-: having just noticed this weekend that when put in high suspension mode the stop light was coming on. I was a little disapointed after the work was done to find one of the wires under the bonnet unconnected and hanging free(I have relocated this to its correct place) although it didnt stop the car from going.

PowerLee · Post by **PowerLee** » 12 Oct 2004, 00:17

Hi
I only had one rear caliper changed on my 405 last year, PERFECT rear brake balance on the rollers afterwards for the MOT.

oilyspanner · Post by **oilyspanner** » 12 Oct 2004, 00:49

I would certainly replace pads, discs and springs or shock absorbers as an axle set, but brake calipers? no provided only one needs replacement to make it work perfectly (like the other side) then I will happily replace a caliper.
Stewart