Just decided to go out in the car for a drive (its been stood for about 1 1/2 weeks) and can not get it out of the garage. It looks like the handbrake has locked on even though the handbrake lever is in the down position and wont budge at all. Tried a few 2000 rpm starts just incase it was the pads binding on as they usually do but no joy at all this time. So! what do I do next??? how do I free the handbrake off??? Been on the phone to my mechanic cousin and he said something about making sure some lever is all the way back on the caliper but I have had a look and I need help. Anyone????

 

Jack the rear wheels off the floor and either take off the rear wheels and hit the center of the hubs or get a drift and hit the center of the hubs through the wheels....As the shoes are inboard inside the disc and nothing to do with the calipers they seem to weld themselves after leaving them for a while especially if you wash it and leave it...

 

You could try the adjuster on the back of the dust cover

http://www.stefanostadal.homedns.org...adjustment.jpg

Stefan

 

You could try driving forwards a bit first to try and free them.. or the other way depending on how you park your car in the garage

ps. watch the wall

 

cheers everyone.

 

I had the same issue, I released the caliper bolts and this cured the problem. The pads had stuck/ rusted to the discs even though they were not in contact ! The shoes were not the cause......

 

I sometimes get this on mine. Mine is parked on the driveway with the nose of the car pointing downhill. I can take the handbrake off and the car just sits there. So I just put it in reverse and move it just a little, and it free's it up no problem.

 

Same as above I just drive forward slightly then backwards.

Worst case was a car I bought that had been sitting for a year just needed the release mechansim tapping with a hammer.