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MG MGF Technical - Handbreak dragging

When I set off in a morning I release the handbrake but after a couple of hundred meters the red warning light comes on again. The lever rises up of it's own accord. I push it down again but then it rises again.

After four or five goes at this it behaves itself until the journey home again.

Does anyone else have a similar experience. Presumably, something is binding and dragging the handbrake on.

Andy
Andy

Andy,

Check that the leather cuff hasn't popped out of the tunnel.

Sam
Sam Murray

Andy,
I have exactly the same problem, I think it is down to the switch needing adjusting (apparently the bracket can be bent slightly using a screwdriver!) - I haven't got round to trying to fix it yet - too busy fitting a new bathrom suite (in my house not the F!).
Although why the problem should go away after a few pushes is a bit strange, I haven't figured that one out yet!
Jason H
Jason H

I was assuming the problem goes away as a result of the alleged binding causing friction and therefore heat. Once things expand the problem goes away until next day.

I was thinking the problem was at the rear end rather than the handbrake itself. Maybe I will take the leather surround off and see if the problem is still there.

Andy
Andy

You got the F back then Andy, after the theft last year?

Was there any/much damage?

Diggers

p.s. Apologies if you're a different Andy from Manchester!
Diggers

>result of the alleged binding causing friction and therefore heat
are the breaks comming on at all (if you get out is it difficult to move the car) it's most lightly just a light, I nkow it's a red STOP light, but in this case...

Will
Will Munns

Will,
I will try pushing the car and see what gives. Good suggestion.

Diggers,
Yes, we got the car back. It needed new locks four new wheels, one new tyre and a new exhaust. I think the exhaust was bent when the manhandled it on and off the trailor to get it to the repair shop.

Then they tried to get all the wheels to point in the same direction and couldn't. They changed the suspension arms and it was still outside tolerance so they finally changed the engine cradle (rear subframe to you and me). I believe that was an engine out job. Anyway everything seems to be OK now although now the engine has been out there's always the worry of HGF. It was done by a good MG dealer though so hopefully things will be bled properly.

All that lot came to just over £4K and including Christmas took 13 weeks. Can't wait for the insurance renewal. I got the Alfa back the following day and that also ran out to £4K.

Andy
ANDREW WRIGHT

If the handle is coming up of its own accord, it implies the cables are too loose.

You can get the the adjusters by taking out the cubby box and they're below it. You don't need to take the entire centre apart!

Get someone to pull the lever while you watch the mechanism at one of the wheels: you'll see a a bit that's C shaped rotate away from the brake calipur. I suspect when the brakes is off, it'll be in contact with the calipur. You need to adjust the cables until its 1-2mm away from it (someone'll correct me if I've mis-remembered the separation, I'm sure: its in the w/s manual!)

I didn't look for the H/B switch from inside the cubby, adjusting the cables stopped the light coming on (and kept the MOT man happy too!)

If you can find someone with the manual, its all in there with diagrams...
Good luck,
Neil.
Neil

Neil,

RTFM. Yes I'll try that too. I do have one. There doesn't appear to be much slack though. There's not a lot of movement between hb on and hb off.

Andy
Andy

My handbrake does the same thing. The brakes are not dragging and my dealer MOT'd it without resetting the cables, so it must be ok ;-)

Chris
Chris

I too have the same problem......the light appears to be very sensitive, comes on when I go over bumps....but only occurs during the first few minutes of driving, it can get very annoying especially if I'm irriatated in a morning.....don't often swear at the F but the handbrake light often gets it!.....I asked the garage to have a look but chocolate tea pot comes to mind...fixed it for about a day and then it was back....just live with it now....let me know how you get on Andy!

Cheers
Rob

Well I started with the simple things first. I took the leather gaitor off the handbrake and now the light does not come on.

The gaitor is tight. There's insufficient material so when it is in the handbrake off position the leather is really stretched. If you go over a bump in the road the jolt is enough for the tension in the material to pull the handbrake up slightly which releases the microswitch on the handbrake.

The gaitor is held in place by a rubber ring so there is some room for adjustment. I think I've sorted mine out but time will tell. There may be adjustment on the microswitch but it's not easy to get at without more dismantling

Andy
Andy

This thread was discussed between 23/01/2003 and 27/01/2003

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