Vauxhall Vectra B facelift (1999 - 2002) - 1999 1.8 parking brake stuck

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Sat 26 Apr 2008 23:27
1999 1.8 parking brake stuck - ShineOnYouCrazyDiamond
Hi. I have a T reg Vectra. I went in to hospital 4 weeks ago and forgot to leave the handbrake off my car as it will not be used for a while. My daughter was going to take it for a run tonight for me but the car wont move.
Years ago (many years ago) I had a Viva that done the same thing and I forced the car forward. It gave a loud stap/bang and I freed it. Should I do the same for the Vectra or is there another way it can be freed more gently?

Thanks for any help.

Edited by Pugugly on 26/04/2008 at 23:30

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Sat 26 Apr 2008 23:30
1999 1.8 parking brake stuck - Pugugly
Hope you are better - thought you hadn't posted in a while.
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Sat 26 Apr 2008 23:34
1999 1.8 parking brake stuck - ShineOnYouCrazyDiamond
Hope you are better - thought you hadn't posted in a while.


Thanks Pugugly.
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Sat 26 Apr 2008 23:42
1999 1.8 parking brake stuck - Screwloose

It'll probably just drag the wheels along - try going backwards.
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Sat 26 Apr 2008 23:47
1999 1.8 parking brake stuck - ShineOnYouCrazyDiamond
It'll probably just drag the wheels along - try going backwards.


I've only got about 4ft to the garage door.
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Sun 27 Apr 2008 00:03
1999 1.8 parking brake stuck - Screwloose

In that case - ignore the above.....

You'll have to jack it up and support it; then remove the wheels and apply percussive stimulation to the handbrake drums. [If that's what a 1.8 has?]
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Sun 27 Apr 2008 08:41
1999 1.8 parking brake stuck - Railroad.
Put a chock behind one wheel to prevent it from rolling. Release the handbrake lever, then lay on your back and tap the backplate behind the affected wheel with a copper/hide hammer. The brake will come off immediately. Works every time on these........
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Sun 27 Apr 2008 13:52
1999 1.8 parking brake stuck - ShineOnYouCrazyDiamond
Thanks for the help. I wont be able to do any work on it myself as I wont be fully mobile for a few months yet.
Should I get this fixed straight away or will it make no difference if I leave it a few more months?
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Sun 27 Apr 2008 18:54
1999 1.8 parking brake stuck - ShineOnYouCrazyDiamond
I got it freed. I've left the handbrake off now.

Thanks for all the help.

Dave
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