Self Shortening Handbrake Cable

[buttles 0]

Doing rear discs today and when it came to reattaching the ends of the cables to the calipers the offside one wouldn't pull out enough to get on. Looking at the adjusters the nearside cable was normal length but the offside one was dissapearing into the guide tube. It's now so too short I've had to use the locknut first,then use the coned nut as the locker! I've heard of cables stretching but not this!! Are the left and right cables the same length? It's not that the other one has stretched as the balancer plate sits correctly. Ideas?!

[vw rule 19]

Hello there,

 

really you should de-adjust (slacken off) the handbrake cables when ever you replace the rear discs / pads,

because the adjusted plate with the two nuts, inside the car under the handbrake trim can be off centre,

and if it is and you don't adjust the handbrake correctly it can course binding issues,

or be slack one side.

 

But you've said that it looks ok the adjuster in the car,

is this what you mean when you say BALANCE PLATE ??

 

The handbrake cables should pull & push freely,

if they don't then the outer casing has collapsed inside coursing the cable to snag,

which in some cases will course the cable to retreat back making it look shorter,

plus it will normally be very tight to pull out / push in.

 

The tell tail signs of this is a bulge or bulges in the outer casing,

which course the inner cable to snag or course a kink.

Old cracked cable casings will let in water / damp as they're old and weathered,

which can course the inner casing wall to rust (hence bulges showing)

which will wear the inner nylon lining out prematurely.

 

Check also the rubber boots are in good condition,

normally there fitted to the caliper end of the cable,

so as to stop any water running down between cable & outer casing.

 

Check the handbrake cables for any cracking or bulges,

plus check for free movement.

Remember this can only be done correctly if the adjuster has been slackened off,

and there is no tension on the cables.

 

When you are checking the cables you shouldn't be able to feel any vibration / dragging,

when pushing or pulling the inner cable, it should feel nice and smooth,

if you can feel anything then chances are the inner nylon lining has worn through,

meaning the cable is rubbing on the outer casing inner wall,

which in turn will course the cable to fray over time as it's metal on metal.

 

Also check for free movement of your caliper handbrake lever arms,

as they can seize internally, giving the impression it's the cables when it's not.

 

 

 

regarding the lengths of both the Corrado handbrake cables,

I believe they are around about the same length,

I can't remember off hand the exact length,

but I think it's 1605mm to 1624mm max, or some do measure about 1613mm to 1615

 

There's bound to be a slight variation with the after markets ones,

I can't remember what the original OEM cables are, length whys,

but I would of thought it should be close to most of the after market ones anyway,

as most of them fit the MK3 Golf / Corrado.

 

 

 

Hope this helps.

 

Si

[buttles 0]

Yup, Balancer plate in my words is the adjuster thingy up front. With the caliper levers on the stop one cable end is a good 3/4 inch longer inside the car. I did notice a slight variation a few years ago when adjusting but was able to get away with it then. Not now though. It's odd that it's too short. Any wear in cable linings would explain an increase in length to some extent. They seem to move in and out freely. Poss time for replacements. Thanks

[buttles 0]

Simple answer to self shortening handbrake cable is 'self lengthening cable conduit'

Outer sleeve had perished allowing the coils to corrode thus expanding down it's length.

Oh, and I would like to nominate Handbrake cables as the easiest change job on the C. Must be a design flaw ;)

[vw rule 19]

Hello there,

 

Yeah I've got to do mine at some point,

as they've seen better days to be honest.

 

Just out of interest which brand / make of cable did you go for in the end,

was it Genuine or after market.

 

The joys of owning / working on a Corrado :lol:

 

 

Si

[buttles 0]

Hi Si, from the stealers. £40 for both. My car is just after a part No change and I was lucky to get the correct ones. Talk on here about having to heat up the metal sleeve to get them out. Mine just pulled out easily, only 3/4 inch of the outer goes into the guide. The clips on the swing arm can be reused if you are careful in getting them off the two screw studs.

[vw rule 19]

Cheers mate,

 

I might get mine from the Main Dealer then if they're only £40.00

Knowing my luck my old ones will be a turd to get out,

which could be fun :lol:

 

Si

[clumpy1 11]

Cheers mate,

 

I might get mine from the Main Dealer then if they're only £40.00

Knowing my luck my old ones will be a turd to get out,

which could be fun :lol:

 

Si

Yeah Si get them from dealer's I did can't remember how much they were maybe less than £40 I'll have a look thing is you will get a straight no hassle fit.

[vw rule 19]

Nice one Clumpy, thank you Sir :salute:

 

Yeah I'll give my local VW shop a buzz.

 

Cheers.

 

Si :thumbleft:

[fonzooorooo 10]

If you run into trouble shifting the cables, a squirt of WD40 round where it goes into the tube in the floorpan, then grip it in a mole wrench, and give it a tap with a hammer. I've never had one on any old VW that doesn't shift with that treatment.