20valver 0 Posted August 7, 2003 I was trying to route my amp cables down the centre console last nite, and got stumped at the plastic hand brake sleeve. On my last C the clip was broke, and it popped off everytime I put the handbrake on, so was easy enough to remove. But this one is a different story.... How's it meant to come off properly? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dazzyvr6 0 Posted August 7, 2003 theres a little plastic pin under the handle hard to explain but if you look you will know what i mean Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
20valver 0 Posted August 7, 2003 So will I have to slide the leather past the button a bit so that I can see it. Or is it near to the 'head' of the plastic sleeve? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevemac 0 Posted August 7, 2003 So will I have to slide the leather past the button a bit so that I can see it. Or is it near to the 'head' of the plastic sleeve? The clip is at the very back and underneath the leather handbrake release handle. It's fairly small - squeeze this clip upwards towards the handbrake lever. The leather handle will then release and slide forwards off the metal handbrake lever (past the handbrake release button). The plastic trim will then slide forwards off the metal handbrake lever. HTH Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevemac 0 Posted August 7, 2003 Just a thought - route your power supply cables down one side of the gear tunnel & your RCA + front speaker cables down the other side. The power cables will interfere with the signal in the RCA leads if they are placed together. That's what I did with both my amps - 800 watts of pure music power.............. :lol: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kerrinmay 0 Posted October 25, 2004 Sorry to re-open this old topic, but I'm really struggling to get my handbrake grip off. I've tried the pressing the little pin thing so hard that my thumb hurts - but the grip still won't slide off!! Any further suggestions? I've tried poking it with a screwdriver as well but still no joy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daves16v 1 Posted October 25, 2004 Here's what I did with mine as I had the same problems. I took a sharp tool and lifted the clip/tab instead of pressing it and pulled the handle off while doing this.........it worked for me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kerrinmay 0 Posted October 25, 2004 When you say 'lifted' what way did you lift it, up or down? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daves16v 1 Posted October 25, 2004 Lifted it away from the handle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kerrinmay 0 Posted October 25, 2004 Great, thanks. I'll give it a go later. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VR6 0 Posted October 25, 2004 I got mine off ok (without breaking it), but now it doesn't seem to fit as securely back in place. Slides forward without too much effort. I didn't break anything though.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kerrinmay 0 Posted October 25, 2004 Maybe I'll just ask the dealers to do it when my car's in again on Wednesday. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tonytiger 0 Posted October 25, 2004 Maybe I'll just ask the dealers to do it when my car's in again on Wednesday. And what happens when they break it? They'll probably say it was already broken, and then charge you labour for removing it, and fitting a new one! I removed mine a couple of months back and found it very difficult - it does come off possibly quite suddenly, so if you do try it yourself make sure you don't end up smasing your heater controls / stereo, etc. BTW - why are you taking your car to the dealer? I wouldn't dream of paying their rates for any work whatsoever - you'd be better off finding a local specialist instead IMHO. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kerrinmay 0 Posted October 26, 2004 I only got the car just over two weeks ago and wanted it properly serviced to make sure that I knew about anything that needed doing. Not knowing any specialists in the area I decided to take it to VW, plus it's got a full VW history apart from one service by the previous owner. I had it serviced last Friday and it's going back in tomorrow for a new cambelt and tensioner, new pas and alternator belts, new coolant bottle and brake fluid change! Bit miffed about the cambelt as I checked through all the documentation that came with the car - they kept everything! And the cambelt was done only 20k miles ago, but apparently it's really the tensioner that needs replacing rather than the belt (but that will be replaced as well). Apparently it's not usual to always replace the tensioner at the same time as the belt. Anyway, if anyone knows of a decent specialist in the Portsmouth area then please let me know. My previous two cars were BMW's and I had a good local specialist that I used for them and would be good to find someone similar for my C. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Henny 0 Posted October 26, 2004 Go and have a word with John Mitchell over at JMRacing... you can reach him on here by sending a PM to 16VG60... He's over in Rustington which I don't think is a million miles away from you... He's got an excellent reputation on here and is a nice guy to deal with to boot... 8) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedRocket 0 Posted October 26, 2004 Without reading all the above posts, remove the ashtray at the back and there is another screw to be removed..Let us know how u get on.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pablo_vr6 0 Posted October 26, 2004 i pulled the clip away too rather than push it in and it came off no problem. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kerrinmay 0 Posted October 26, 2004 This clip we're talking about, are we actually talking about the pin bit itself or the tab just behind it? Should I just try and lever it down with a flat bladed screw driver while pulling on the grip? Is the grip clipped in at the top as well or just at the bottom? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pablo_vr6 0 Posted October 26, 2004 i think i was able to do it with my finger. was very simple really. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kerrinmay 0 Posted October 26, 2004 So pablo_vr6 are we talking about the tab behind the pin thing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pablo_vr6 0 Posted October 26, 2004 i just pulled the bottom of the lever - just one thing. nothing hidden or anyything Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kerrinmay 0 Posted October 26, 2004 I'll give it a go then when I leave work in 15 mins, then if it works I can drive home with all my matching leather accessories! Gearknob (new from dealer), steering wheel (tatty and worn from ebay), and handbrake grip (good condition from ebay). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daves16v 1 Posted October 26, 2004 i just pulled the bottom of the lever - just one thing. nothing hidden or anyything Exactly what I did. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevemac 0 Posted October 26, 2004 So pablo_vr6 are we talking about the tab behind the pin thing? The handle is secured only at the bottom. The retaining tab/clip is a kind of see-saw type thing. The tab at the back of the handle is squeezed upwards, towards the handle. This then lowers the securing clip (slightly forward of the tab) out of the handbrake rod, thus releasing the handle. The hinge part of this see-saw clip/tab thing is easily damaged. This makes removing the handle (without damaging it) rather difficult. While releasing the tab/clip, no forward pressure should be placed on the leather handle - forward pressure at this point will fcuk the tab/clip. Once the clip is released the handle will just slide forwards - if it offers any resistance at all, the tab/clip has not been released properly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevemac 0 Posted October 26, 2004 Apparently it's not usual to always replace the tensioner at the same time as the belt. When I worked for VW it was common practice to always replace the tensioner & belt at the same time. :wink: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
