2016-09-26 VW Audi Parking Brake Caliper Seized Hand Brake

[@stijnvanlandeghem3293]

Turns out, this was all I needed to fix my car. Many thanks! It took you 5 min to make this video. It saved me a lot of money and stress ✌

[@mikeperkins5400]

Thanks brother, i drive 40 miles to work every day and i was stuck after work my brake would not unstick and i didn't know what to do, it took over 30 minutes for me to play with the lever until i could get it to go but the brake was still catching a bit, and i had to nurse it home 40 miles when i made it home i found your video, i'm glad you showed me how to fix my problem.

[@ianpeirce8077]

Spot on! I was told by a garage that my calliper was seized and it would all need replacing.It was the lever that was stuck. Followed your advice and all is OK now. Many thanks.

[@MrDscrow]

What kind of grease did you use?

[@Westenkaer]

Typical symptoms for this problem is that the brake disc gets a little warmer, but often not so much that you notice anything. But still enough to wear out the inner brake pad faster then the outer over time. I had this problem, but when i put a new caliper on it still had the problem. I had to make a new adjustment to the hand brake and then it worked fine. Fine vid...

[@niallmccallum6013]

Great video! My 2018 Golf TSI has the same issue. Handbrake lever was sloppy, and the right rear rotor and rims were hot. Guide pins were fine, the pads weren't stuck, and the caliper piston retracted smoothly. I finally noticed the parking brake lever on the caliper was seized and wasn't returning to the open position.

[@m2895]

I'm glad i found this. My Citroen caliper is almost exactly like this and like you explain here; the handbrake is sticking on. I wasn't sure if that part you spoke about removing to clean up the seal was actually removable without losing brake fluid but now have the answer. Thanks 👍

[@frankhorvath817]

Kudos! Great video! My caliper got baked because of this exact problem. I was just in the middle of rebuilding it ('02 A6 -RR caliper), and found I couldn't get enough lash to unhook the E brake cable. I've done few before but never had the issue with unhooking the cable. Now I see how to do it. Thanks for posting this.

[@magiriano]

Thank you so much for posting this video.

[@WarriyaAndPalimine]

great, well spoken and informative video!

[@funkyweasle]

Very good explanation. You managed to cover all that is required.

[@NickBrand-j3s]

Really helpful - this will help me deal with my Audi TT (again!)

[@Dpo2203]

Another fantastic helpful video. After buying 2 new calipers and replacing them unnecessarily. Thanks buddy 😎👍

[@T3glider]

I thought my rear caliper were sticking due to some squealing, then I watched this video and said a-ha … that’s what it could be, so I got under the car and my e-brake cable actuators were not stuck at all … the return springs were missing on both sides! Easy fix!

[@tzmsteve]

Seriously awesome video dude! Thanks for the help. One thing, I had a f*** of a time getting the spring back on. I have a mkVI GTI so maybe they’re harder springs. Anyway, I got it back together and everything is good. Thanks again for the video.

[@mjt708]

any tips? I'm struggling like hell to get the mk6 spring back on my jetta lol

[@albertfletcher5092]

Thank you for this video a life save as my car failed its mot due to the handbrake being stuck.

[@zeljkomrksic]

I have just replaced rear discs and pads on my Golf. On the passanger side, the leaver is much harder to move that on the other side. I taught that my caliper was on it's wat out. I will definitely try doing what you said and post back.

[@HoldSimp]

Absolutely great video, my Astra H which looks like the same caliper has done this on the passenger side, do will give this a try.

[@beastfromupeast]

Just saved me a trip to the mechanic, thanks

[@jcman240]

I've had this problem for years, I just let it go and put my car in gear when parked as it's flat where I live... The last shop I was at had to put a new bearing and caliper in that wheel where the parking brake is... Not sure if it was caused from the many times I drove with it stuck until it would just release on it's own from the heat, or by the damaged spring I had earlier that year...either way my car is a money pit and I am now trying to fix crap on it myself since last 2 shops no bueno. thanks for posting.

[@ct026]

Awesome. That’s this weekends project sorted! 😂

[@1dlb]

excellent video Sir - thanks so much !!!

[@luisd.2109]

thank you very much for this video!!! I have the same problem but no other video on youtube talk about this symptom. Tomorrow I will try this on my 2002 Toyota Avensis you won a suscriber!!!

[@MrDscrow]

Did it work? What kind of grease did you use

[@MrJonnyboyification]

Found this problem today on my Hyundai coupe , the arm is sticking and it only has one internal return spring so im thinking of adding an extra spring to the lever and giving it a good clean with WD 40 hopefully that will cure my sticky handbrake.

[@h2cro953]

This exact thing happening on my 1990 EA ford falcon. Should I follow the same process. I have similar setup of parking. Brake

[@fishingscotland3068]

Nice video quick fix before my mot thanks

[@gareth2166]

My astra j is leaking this rubber can it be replaced or just cleaned ware can I get one from

[@umarbaharom8582]

good to know. i usually just replace the rear caliper but this saves a lot of money.

[@K03sport]

Thanks for the video...I wish I found it earlier when I had the wheel off...[edit] ok, I took off the nut and the two arms only to discover that the rubber seal that goes around the lever shaft (what the nut is on) is bonded to the caliper; so it technically isn't as "easy" as described in the video...I did not feel like breaking the bonded rubber seal so I shot a fair amount of PB Blaster inside the seal that butts up against the lever shaft. I will say, there was a bit of crud coming out of this area, but I'm still not entirely sure what is causing my parking brake lever to stick...Oh, and while I was in there, I removed the caliper and relubed all of the contact points and slide pins just to make sure everything could move freely...a new caliper may be in my future, possibly on the next pad/rotor change, but I will see where this gets me...I do know I need new parking brake cables so that will be done soon

[@esmfamil3929]

very nice , thanks a lot

[@annettegifkins-xl8ul]

Would it help to spray it with white grease to stop moisture getting in between the lever and seal, or would that just attract more crap? 🤔

[@biturboaudis4]

That's what I usually do. I believe it helps to fill the cavity with grease.

[@annettegifkins-xl8ul]

@@biturboaudis4 cheers for the heads up, I replaced both rear calipers last year and they've just started sticking ever so slightly, so I'll just spray some round the back side of the levers to help it last a bit longer. 👍

[@silviuvalentinsultan3753]

Hello, what wrench do you use for that bolt 13 or 30? Thanks.

[@alexandruS1987]

Thanks for the video. It seems like I have the same problem. My handbrake was completely loose, both wires went off from the bracket behind the armrest. I fixed that and it happened again. So I took the wheel off and saw that this lever was not retracting all the way, making one off the wires stay in the locked position. Because the wires were not 'equal' it made the bracket come off and ofcourse I m not able to use the handbrake. I will try to do what you did to fix yours. I also need to mention that the caliper is maybe 2 years old(15-20k km) Do you think that if I replace the spring also, will help? Thanks

[@biturboaudis4]

The spring on the outside of the caliper provides very little tension. There is another spring on the inside of the caliper. Since the clearances are so tight, it only takes a little bit of dirt or corrosion for the parking brake lever (on the caliper) to become very stiff and cause the issue you're experiencing.

[@alexandruS1987]

Thanks. I will lift the care tomorrow and clean this. Hope it works

[@cjstubejackofalltrade1551]

Changed wheel bearing, disc, caliper,break hose, break pads and still the wheel is too tight. After few miles of driving, wheel is hot. Disc is burning hot. Is it something to do with hand break?

[@biturboaudis4]

It could be the hand brake, but likely not related to your caliper, unless you purchased a used one that's partially seized. The parking brake cables can also seize up.

[@cjstubejackofalltrade1551]

@@biturboaudis4 thanks mate. I changed everything new. Taking it to the garage to have a look at the handbrake tomorrow. Ill give u an update.

[@razvan738]

@@cjstubejackofalltrade1551 What was the problem in the end?

[@fabriceehrhart9341]

Great vid. I suspected this to be happening to my 011 saab 9-3, but didn't find anyone talking about something similar. Hopefuly getting to fix it tokay eventualy.

[@Old-Mango]

Brilliant info

[@RussianBotLvl]

Thanks for this.

[@Super-lucky-7777]

I found that the external caliper spring is not working or failed

[@biturboaudis4]

That spring does very little to return the caliper's parking brake lever to the home position. If it's not working, the parking brake lever shaft is starting to seize inside the caliper.

[@tdawg719]

Great video. If I look at the part and it’s fully against the stop can I rule this out?

[@biturboaudis4]

If the lever moves freely, then yes, the issue is something else.

[@tdawg719]

I noticed that there was a slight gap so I looked to hand brake to get rid of it. Turns out there is supposed to be

[@nicki8082]

Does the spring have 2 spots to place it bottom arm? Cause mine is in the upper portion. Yours is in the lower pirch i have the same car so it should be the same?

[@biturboaudis4]

Yes, should be in the same spot.

[@nicki8082]

@@biturboaudis4 they don't return all the way now to the stopper?

[@nobs4689]

Thank you sir

[@Blackbelt1]

Ty

[@llamedosr7843]

Had this problem on a golf. Turned out to be the cable.

[@magicmike3159]

With the lever up like that is the parking break on or off

[@biturboaudis4]

With the lever up, the parking brake is off.

[@magicmike3159]

Very cool thank you

[@AlL-il2dc]

thx.

[@dardangraceni]

I have a leak from that side can be repaired or not??

[@biturboaudis4]

Yes, you can install new seals but the caliper needs to be completely disassembled and rebuilt.

[@aliarslan1359]

@@biturboaudis4 do you know the torque for that bolt outside there? The one above the little one

[@MrDscrow]

What kind of grease?

[@biturboaudis4]

Dustin Scriven Any automotive grease will do, but something that's marine grade will last longer.

[@MrDscrow]

White lithium will work?

[@biturboaudis4]

Dustin Scriven Yes, that will work.

[@MrDscrow]

Thanks, I was able to get both rear calipers broken free!

[@chronicmachines6717]

How would you know if this caliper was seized

[@biturboaudis4]

You would have to take the caliper off and attempt to turn/retract the piston. If it goes back freely, it's not seized.

[@chronicmachines6717]

@@biturboaudis4 Anti clockwise on the back?

[@biturboaudis4]

@@chronicmachines6717Turn the piston clockwise to retract it.

[@chronicmachines6717]

Ow ye nice one

[@chronicmachines6717]

Now please give me some advice on my vw polo 6n2 gti 5 speed chocolate gearbox. That car't even take 123bhp. Wtf 4th box I'm on

[@laurynasmik4656]

And it skuck again amd burns your brails

[@noelhaziel3711]

The spring is on backwards..... I wouldn't trust someone who didn't catch it.

[@biturboaudis4]

Pro Dates The spring is not on backwards.

[@noelhaziel3711]

Yes it is...... workshop-manuals.com/volkswagen/jetta/l5-2.5l_(bgp)/Page-1485004.png

[@noelhaziel3711]

Spring should be facing inward towards bolts not outward, That's why you have the problem. The spiral of the spring is literally riding on the levers...

[@biturboaudis4]

I'm afraid that you're mistaken. Not all calipers are created equal. Here are photos of this particular caliper. FYI, I've worked on VW/Audi vehicles for 25 years. www.google.com/search?biw=1534&bih=683&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=4DJ1WoWOJ6CzjwSpn4e4Bw&q=audi+allroad+rear+caliper&oq=audi+allroad+rear+caliper&gs_l=psy-ab.3...7407.7805.0.8062.5.5.0.0.0.0.119.498.2j3.5.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..2.0.0....0.HDvavpplQ7s

[@frankhorvath817]

@@noelhaziel3711 Your diagram is of a different caliper.

[@ChuckNorris-bf5cj]

I got the brand new caliper put in and 10 days later exactly this happened. Faulty caliper or something else?

[@biturboaudis4]

If it's sticking, the parking brake cable could be seized. Remove the parking brake cable and ensure that the parking brake lever on the caliper moves freely without the cable attached.

[@ChuckNorris-bf5cj]

​@@biturboaudis4 OMG, 7 years old video and such a quick reply!!!! 😮😮😮😊 I tested and the cable moves freely. And if I unhook it and take it off, it still doesn't spring back. Only if I help to move it a bit with my fingers. I noticed this problem when the parking brake lever started to become loose at the bottom just like you mentioned in the video.

[@biturboaudis4]

@@ChuckNorris-bf5cj In that case you do have a faulty caliper, I'm afraid!

[@ChuckNorris-bf5cj]

@@biturboaudis4 Thank you so much! I'll bring the car back to the mechanic to get it replaced.