Got an electric parking brake?

[Alan Reynolds]

I like the idea of a manual handbrake, just in case the hydraulics fail. Anyway, how are you supposed to do handbrake turns with a push button? Where I had my building in London, the oiks used to come in at night and do handbrake turns in the long car park. I was watching them one night, they went flying down for the Nth time to do a turn at the end and yep, cable snapped. Straight into the 3ft thick wall which didn't blink. I then locked the car park while they were not looking! It was still there the next morning but the oiks had escaped. I then towed the wreck out onto a double yellow line. Revenge is sweet.

 

[Kayos]

How often do brakes fail? In 18 years of driving I've had one cylinder fail and I still had some brakes to stop

 

[mr haynes]

More likely to have pads fall out as worn to the metal or fluid to boil as never been changed from new.
Usually notice an issue with a leaking cylinder before lose brakes completely. But yes they do leak and not uncommon

 

[merryman]

How often do brakes fail? In 18 years of driving I've had one cylinder fail and I still had some brakes to stop

I've posted this before, but my last three cars have all had brake failure. First two were Peugeot 106s. Rear brakes had a slight weep of fluid from the slave cylinders and this caused the linings to come away from the shoes, resulting in "pedal to the metal", luckily both happened on small descents at low speeds. My present Fiesta lost a front brake pad lining, for no apparent reason, other pads all had plenty of lining left. Again it let go on a low speed descent.

There are a vast number of unnecessary electronic devices on modern cars, yes there has been a big advance on fuel economy due to electronic engine management, but the ones for the chassis side have been a waste of time that will render most cars of over 10 years old to be scrapped, due to some minor fault that will cost a fortune and need "dealer only" equipment to put right. Legislators collude with this, some manufacturer fits some useless "improvement" and all of a sudden it becomes a legal requirement on all new cars.

 

[TechnicAl]

I was chatting to a guy tonight about experiences driving home using just the handbrake after the hydraulic system failed - that would be impossible with an ehb!

and thats dangerous....id rather it be impossible

my parachute failed....good job Ive got a hanky and a mattress

 

[CompoSimmonite]

How often do brakes fail? In 18 years of driving I've had one cylinder fail and I still had some brakes to stop

Only had it happen once - that was more than enough as going downhill at the time. Single circuit master cylinder failed on my Triumph.

 

[daleyd]

In an emergency I think you can still put on an electric parking brake when moving, you just need to pull the switch for more than x number of seconds.

 

[merryman]

and thats dangerous....id rather it be impossible

No it isn't, you just drive to suit the brakes you have, as you do in snow etc. The handbrake is made into a completely separate system as an emergency back up.

 

[TechnicAl]

No it isn't, you just drive to suit the brakes you have, as you do in snow etc. The handbrake is made into a completely separate system as an emergency back up.

I beg to differ....and I think the Insurance and the Police / Court might agree with me

 

[anto44]

Under European regulations the ability for the handbrake to be used as a backup brake if the main brakes fail is no longer a requirement. It's now just required to be a parking brake. Some EPBs will work while moving if you hold the button long enough but you wouldn't want to do it, there's no way of controlling the pressure it'll just try lock the wheels straight up.

 

[armalites]

All cars are different and just dis-engaging the brake often doesn't wind far enough back to fit new pads. On my Volvo V70 the system is very simple and reliable. The motor/mech is on the caliper. You can rewind it with a diagnostic tool but you can also simply connect 12v across the pins briefly to see which way it pushes/pulls and then use it to rewind the mech.It will even work with a 9v PP3.When you apply the brake after it resets itself. So also if it packs up a caliper replacement will fix it. EPB on a Discovery 3 is whole different ball game and overly complicated with all manner of misery to be had if it's not kept maintained

 

[slim_boy_fat]

t was still there the next morning but the oiks had escaped. I then towed the wreck out onto a double yellow line. Revenge is sweet.

It had probably been stolen, for a "bit of a larf, innit"

 

[colaboy]

How do you drive in the snow without a handbrake lever?

Maybe my rallying backgroud kicking in there lol.

 

[TechnicAl]

How do you drive in the snow without a handbrake lever?

Maybe my rallying backgroud kicking in there lol.

I manage with the electronic brake......both days

 

[R-D-R]

In an emergency I think you can still put on an electric parking brake when moving, you just need to pull the switch for more than x number of seconds.

Correct for Land Rovers Hold the EPB button for a couple of seconds and it will play maximum braking force to bring you to a stop.

 

[jordan1]

It's a solution to problem that never existed.
Another issue with these I believe, you need a plug in diagnostic tool to disengage the pads/shoes when servicing.
Completely daft idea.

No so, just simply wind them back, I have done a couple, simple.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Thread tided, "old car" posts now in their own thread.

 

[RWD3M]

Thread tided, "old car" posts now in their own thread.

Good thinking Wozzaaah.

Cheers,

 

[daedalusminos]

How often do brakes fail?

Once in 30 years...Toyota Hilux Surf 1993 grey import....a few years ago now, driving 3 miles to the MOT station rear brake line ruptured as I pulled in to let sugar beet lorry pass. Continued to the MOT (back roads manual handbrake) left it in forecourt dripping brake fluid. Advised garage to cancel MOT and quote for repairs.... After inspection turns out pipes burst above fuel tank and since they wouldn't have been able to inspect on MOT it would have passed.

 

[tlovatt]

My cars primary systems are all electric, main brakes and handbrake, if something goes wrong with the electrics it could be a bit of an interesting drive, but on the flip side I can go for a long motorway drive followed by some urban driving and the brakes are still stone cold so there is an upside (plus less brake dust to wash off when cleaning the car)