BA Lantis/Astina - Handbrake issues

Sam_L · 20-05-2009, 04:27 PM

Hi there,

I've got a '93 Mazda Lantis 4 door (hardtop I think they're called sometimes), and I'm having problems with the handbrake. I don't have all that much knowledge of the inner workings of handbrakes, or brakes in general, so I've got a few questions for you wiser folk that I'd be hugely greatful to get some info on. I did a quick search of the forum but couldn't find anything on the particular problems I'm experiencing, but apologies if this has already been covered somewhere.

The problem is the handbrake is sticking.. that is, after pulling the handbrake on and then releasing it, the brake stays engaged on the rear right wheel. From crawling under the back of the car I found that I could release the seized brake by pulling at the cable near where it connects to the calliper.

My very un-expert diagnosis was that perhaps the cable had seized up somewhere along the way and needed freeing up or replacement. I've taken it into a local mechanic who told me that the whole rear right brake unit would have to be sent off to be serviced. This would cost a few hundred dollars which I'm not entirely keen to spend if I don't have to.

So, my question is: Does this sounds right? Does the entire brake unit need a service? Or is there something that I could do myself to fix this? Keep in mind I don't have any experience working on brakes, but I do have decent mechanical knowledge.

Thanks in advance for any advice you might be able to provide! Or if this has been covered somewhere, just point me in the right direction

Dogo · 20-05-2009, 09:05 PM

spray with what ?

The handbrake is cable operated. The handbrake lever inside the car pulls on the cable. This cable splits into 2 directions, each of which goes to one ofthe rear wheels.

Easy way to see if its the brake unit is have someone pull the handbrake on so that it sticks, and then release it. watch the cable at the brake unit and see f it releases. If the cable releases tension, then it must be the unit internals sticking. if the cable is still taught after releasing it, it must be the cable.

Sam_L · 21-05-2009, 02:24 PM

With lubricant i guess?

Thanks for the help, guys. If you're right, Dogo, then it must be the cable. After engaging and releasing the handbrake, the cable doesn't release properly. To get it to release I have to pull at this part of the cable:

On the other wheel (which has no problems) this same part looks a lot cleaner and well lubed. So I'm guessing the problem lies somewhere around this mechanism, where the cable meets brake unit. When I get a chance I'll see if I can loosen it up with a bit of lubricant I think. Hope it works!

Thanks again guys.

Dogo · 21-05-2009, 03:30 PM

it could make doing a hand brake turn very interesting

Cosmo Dude · 21-05-2009, 07:37 PM

I'd start by spraying the caliper (being careful not to contaminate the brake pads or disk). If that fails spray some lube down the cable from the top but looking at that caliper I doubt it's the cable.

20-05-2009, 04:27 PM	#1
Sam_L Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Auckland Car: 1993 Mazda Lantis Hardtop 1.8 Posts: 2	BA Lantis/Astina - Handbrake issues Hi there, I've got a '93 Mazda Lantis 4 door (hardtop I think they're called sometimes), and I'm having problems with the handbrake. I don't have all that much knowledge of the inner workings of handbrakes, or brakes in general, so I've got a few questions for you wiser folk that I'd be hugely greatful to get some info on. I did a quick search of the forum but couldn't find anything on the particular problems I'm experiencing, but apologies if this has already been covered somewhere. The problem is the handbrake is sticking.. that is, after pulling the handbrake on and then releasing it, the brake stays engaged on the rear right wheel. From crawling under the back of the car I found that I could release the seized brake by pulling at the cable near where it connects to the calliper. My very un-expert diagnosis was that perhaps the cable had seized up somewhere along the way and needed freeing up or replacement. I've taken it into a local mechanic who told me that the whole rear right brake unit would have to be sent off to be serviced. This would cost a few hundred dollars which I'm not entirely keen to spend if I don't have to. So, my question is: Does this sounds right? Does the entire brake unit need a service? Or is there something that I could do myself to fix this? Keep in mind I don't have any experience working on brakes, but I do have decent mechanical knowledge. Thanks in advance for any advice you might be able to provide! Or if this has been covered somewhere, just point me in the right direction

20-05-2009, 09:05 PM	#2
Dogo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Melb, Aus Car: Mazda 323 BA BPT transplant Posts: 3,459 View Photos By: Dogo	spray with what ? The handbrake is cable operated. The handbrake lever inside the car pulls on the cable. This cable splits into 2 directions, each of which goes to one ofthe rear wheels. Easy way to see if its the brake unit is have someone pull the handbrake on so that it sticks, and then release it. watch the cable at the brake unit and see f it releases. If the cable releases tension, then it must be the unit internals sticking. if the cable is still taught after releasing it, it must be the cable. __________________ [ Turbo BA ] see my readers ride

21-05-2009, 03:30 PM	#4
Dogo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Melb, Aus Car: Mazda 323 BA BPT transplant Posts: 3,459 View Photos By: Dogo	it could make doing a hand brake turn very interesting __________________ [ Turbo BA ] see my readers ride

21-05-2009, 07:37 PM	#5
Cosmo Dude コスモ Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Location: Vic Car: Mazda '95 Astina I4, '86 B2K and '10 3 MZR-CD Posts: 7,888 View Photos By: Cosmo Dude	I'd start by spraying the caliper (being careful not to contaminate the brake pads or disk). If that fails spray some lube down the cable from the top but looking at that caliper I doubt it's the cable. __________________ My 'stina Hatch

21-05-2009, 02:24 PM	#3
Sam_L Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Auckland Car: 1993 Mazda Lantis Hardtop 1.8 Posts: 2	With lubricant i guess? Thanks for the help, guys. If you're right, Dogo, then it must be the cable. After engaging and releasing the handbrake, the cable doesn't release properly. To get it to release I have to pull at this part of the cable: On the other wheel (which has no problems) this same part looks a lot cleaner and well lubed. So I'm guessing the problem lies somewhere around this mechanism, where the cable meets brake unit. When I get a chance I'll see if I can loosen it up with a bit of lubricant I think. Hope it works! Thanks again guys.