Handbrake Malfunction Inside Car

[SP3]

Hoping this is something others may have experienced and not too an involved fix.

My handbrake handle no longer clicks or stays at top when pulled up. If I pull it to highest travel point the rear brakes are engaged but as soon as I let go of handle it falls down and brakes no longer hold the vehicle.

When I pulled the decorative cover off the handle it appears the pawl is not engaged in the toothed wheel (assuming that is how it normally operates).

This happened after I made a mental slip and pushed in the Release button on the end of handbrake handle while pulling up on the handle. So did not hear or feel the ratcheting sound.

Attaching the exploded view of assy for reference.

[jrusso07]

I have not had this happen but looking at the diagram I would guess spring 9 is hung up. Either that of the pawl (11) fell out of the hook. Pull the handle and work on it on a bench...

[Curtis]

Unbeknownst to me and many others I'm sure is that the handle can be adjusted by turning the knob. It is threaded and can be turned in and out. Had the same problem with it not wanting to lock. Turned the knob and it magically started working.

IMG_2795.JPG

IMG_2796.JPG

[eye]

I don't think that is an adjustment. I think the button was binding on the housing and when you rotated it, it freed up the rubbing. They wear out or if the rod and/or sheet metal housing gets bent down at the base, it will also bind.

Mine was bent down there and had to be welded and straightened. May want to look at that.

I ended up making a new button and handle from aluminum.

[Curtis]

I don't think that is an adjustment. I think the button was binding on the housing and when you rotated it, it freed up the rubbing. They wear out or if the rod and/or sheet metal housing gets bent down at the base, it will also bind.

Mine was bent down there and had to be welded and straightened. May want to look at that.

I ended up making a new button and handle from aluminum.

Sorry, disagree. Mine was not binding or bent, just didn't quite want to stay engaged. Turned it a couple turns and it has been fine ever since.

[Curtis]

Here is an additional photo of it. You don't put that much thread on if you don't want it adjustable. One of the things I've seen about Datsun/Nissan is if they want it left alone they either put in a set screw or just mold it on.

IMG_2797.JPG

[eye]

Glad you fixed it

[SP3]

Responding back with fix on my e-brake handle not ratcheting up and staying there. As mentioned brakes would grab at full-up, just the handle would not stay up.

The rod pictured by Curtis on mine was bent more like a "semi J" than "L" shape, so it appears it was not staying in the Parking Pawl slot.

I took the thread rod out, placed in a vice and bent the end in question to more of an "L" shape. Reassembled everything and I got the ratcheting as I pulled it up, handle holding at various points all the way to full up. I was able to repair with the handle assy still bolted in the car for reference.


Handbrake lever positioning
If using clock for handle position orientation,say 12:00 to 3:00, with 3 o clock being the handle was all the way down or released, when I pulled it all the way up for brake engagement it was at 1:00. I went under car and adjusted e-brake cable (7 and 8mm wrenches) so when pulling the handle up, full up was closer to 2:00

Thanks for the suggestions in troubleshooting.

[Linda]

I think you have to lube the various points along the way ,and on my car, there is a zerk on the passenger side at the rear.
How are your rear brakes?
Linda