Handbrake won’t release mx5 mk1

Technical Area Wheels, Tyres & Brakes
1
  1. My model of MX-5 is: mk1 1995
  2. I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: handbrake

So a month or so ago I went to drive my car to work and when trying to come off the drive way the handbrake wouldn’t release, I tried lifting it and dropping it a few times before giving up as I was late, I started heading to work in a different car but thought how I kind of want to stick some wheel blocks behind the rear wheels just in case it somehow rolls (paranoid I know) and when I returned quickly I thought I’d try again and see if it moved now. This time it did , which was strange but didn’t want to risk getting the car stuck at work so I went in another car. I got
Home and tested it and it still wasn’t working, I ended up having to not use the car for awhile given life gets in the way so I went to test the car yesterday letting it warm up first and then try but the handbrake still won’t release. There’s no clicking or anything and if I try to reverse slightly it just sounds like the classic attempting to reverse the car with the handbrake on but I didn’t want to force it through in case it damages anything and in case I then couldn’t fix the car then and there and had to leave the car on the road on flat below where I don’t trust it to be.

So before I do take the car off the driveway I was just wondering what the problem could be and what I may need to prepare to buy and do before trying to dive deeper. Thanks

2

Sounds like the rear pads are stuck to the discs. Could be a cable problem also, have you tried moving the car, driving off or rocking the car to free things up?
I know if the handbrake is left firmly on and it’s wet they seize on (the pads)
Others will be along more knowledgeable on the Mk1 than me.:+1:

3

It’s strange really the car was being driven daily could it really randomly stick ? What do you mean just try reverse through the resistance ?

4

What have you actually done, did you try to move off, how did you know the handbrake was stuck?

5

Honestly nothing other than try to release the handbrake I was worried I would damage somthing trying to force it. You have a point that it might not necessarily be the handbrake, however when trying to release it or raise it back up it would make no noise or tension it would just freely move and not disengage or re engage other than the one time couple weeks back when I tested it again before work but then it stopped moving again after work as I hoped it was just a fluke it wouldn’t release

6

It could be the cable(s) they give trouble especially with the age of the car. Or stuck pads, I’d be trying to rock the car to release the brakes handbrake down/off (if safe and on level ground) or try driving forward gently. Go steady they sometimes make a loud cracking sound when they release.:+1:

7

Just trying to decipher your 3rd post.
When you lift the handbrake lever ‘up’ does it ratchet (click) or does it lift freely.
Just thinking the ratchet pawl has seized or become disengaged from the button release rod.

8

Sintered pads have ferrous particles in them. This means they can and do rust to the discs.
As the particles are pretty small, the pads shouldn’t bond so very strongly though, so driving off should
release them.

9

Sounds more like a cable or cable adjustment problem

https://www.autozone.com/znetrgs/repair_guide_content/en_us/images/0996b43f/80/e4/33/29/medium/0996b43f80e43329.gif

I would think about backing off the handbrake adjuster, and investingating the cables further. NA and NB handbrakes are the same. Slip off the handbrake cover (single screw, then it unclips apart) to expose the adjuster screw

http://twitswithspanners.com/post/2017-05-13-the-mx5-handbrake

10

Freely moved no clicks or anything

11

Slightly off topic but having worked in a garage in my youth and seen how many cars had seized hand brakes I only leave the hand brake on when necessary. Cars spend 99% of their lives stationary. When the car is parked on level ground leave it in gear or in Park for autos with the hand brake off and save yourself a lot of trouble.

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12

Because the cables have seized

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13

Any ideas how to fix it then ?

14

That is a bit unkind. I would respectfully point you to an earlier post by SAZ where he shows you where to look.
If you have any DIY skills then you will have to get ‘under’ the car in person and find exactly what is and is not moving then ‘release’ the offender. If you do not have these skills then you need a ‘mate’ to have a look or get a garage to have a look.
There are many of us on here that could fix it but we are NOT there with the car so a little kindness to those who try to help remotely may be appropriate.
Good luck in getting this sorted.
:heart:

15

It was not my intention to be unkind I was just gathering all possibilities together. In all honestly I thought I replied to saz but must’ve slipped my mind . Thanks

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16

I’ll have a look tomorrow cheers mate

17

The pads won’t be rusting to the discs on a regularly used car. If you slacken off the afjustment at the handbrake end, you should get movement back in the wheels.

With the platic cover off, this is the adjuster to slacken, using a screwdriver or spanner

900×675 153 KB

The guts pf te handbrake handle

That the ratchet isn’t operating indicates to me the cables are seized. You need to get under the car to check things.

This is not a common issue; the usual issue is the handbrake not functioning, due to damaged calipers. Many MX5s are a bit marginal holding on a hill.