Adjusting handbrake on 6N2 Polo

**AJB** · 27-10-2009,01:37 PM

Hi All,

This evening I'm looking at a friend's 6N2 Polo (disk brakes on the rear), as the handbrake lever isn't going all the way down on its own. As in, when you release the handbrake, the lever stops an inch or so above its lowest position, and you can then push it all the way down if you want. This doesn't seem right to me...

I'm hoping that the cable needs adjusting - it has recently had new disks and pads at a garage, so I'm hoping they've just left it too slack.

Just wondering if anyone can give me a heads up on how to get to the adjusting nut? On my Skoda Octavia there's a little cubby which you prise out of the trim behind the handbrake lever, and the nut is under there. Is there something similar on the Polo?

Also, if it isn't the cable and the mechanism in the caliper is sticking, is there anything simple I can do to free it off? (I won't have time to do any major surgery).

Any words of wisdom gratefully appreciated! Thanks,

Alan

**kenney** · 27-10-2009,01:49 PM

The cable is self adjusting,the problem is with the hand brake wires and need replacing or the self adjusting on the calipers which means a caliper or calipers need replacing

**AJB** · 27-10-2009,01:59 PM

When you say it's self adjusting, do you mean the self adjusters built into the caliper, or is there an extra self adjuster on the cable?

What I'm hoping to find is that with the handbrake fully off, the levers on the caliper are pressing on their endstops and the cable is slack. If that is what I find, then I was assuming there would be a nut somewhere to let me tighten up the cable...

**Crasher** · 27-10-2009,02:18 PM

The adjuster is under the rear of the consul but the symptoms you have there are of the welded handbrake lever bracket breaking away from the floor. Pull the lever up and see if the front of the plate lifts away from the floor, it is a very common Polo 6N problem.

**AJB** · 27-10-2009,03:12 PM

Ah. OK - I'll check for that first. Thanks for the tip! If that is the problem, presumably it needs re-welding rather than there being some sort of bolt it down workaround?

And if I'm lucky and it turns out not to be the weld that's failed, then is it obvious how to get the rear of the console off to get to the adjuster?

Thanks again,

Alan

**kenney** · 27-10-2009,04:53 PM

A new adjustment is only necessary after renewing, handbrake cables, brake calipers and brake discs.You must remove the handbrake lever trim to access the adjusting nuts

**Crasher** · 27-10-2009,05:08 PM

You could bolt it down, I weld them which is a pain as all the interior has to be covered to prevent burns.

**AJB** · 27-10-2009,05:16 PM

Originally Posted by kenney

A new adjustment is only necessary after renewing, handbrake cables, brake calipers and brake discs.

The discs and pads have recently been replaced by a garage, which is why I was hoping that the cable just needed adjusting properly...

Originally Posted by Crasher

You could bolt it down, I weld them which is a pain as all the interior has to be covered to prevent burns.

Welding does sound like the right solution if that turns out to be the problem...

Thanks for the advice - I'll see what I find when I take a look this evening!

**AJB** · 28-10-2009,10:12 AM

Update: The problem turned out to be that one of the handbrake cables is damaged and sticking, so the left hand caliper's lever was in the middle of its travel with the handbrake fully off. As the garage replacing the disks would have wound the piston fully in, I think it had adjusted itself so that this mid-travel lever position was actually handbrake off. This meant the cable had a lot of slack.

I tried to free up the cable, but it's now self-adjusted itself correctly (so handbrake lever behaves normally) but cable still sticking, so that brake is binding. It needs a new cable on that side.

Just more 2 quick questions:

Firstly, I can get to and undo the cable adjusters by prising up the rear of the console, but the carpet is in the way there's not a lot of access so I can't see where the cables come out. Is there a way to get better access, or if I just poke the new cable into the floorpan from the outside will it just turn up at the balancing bar thing, ready for me to fit (or more likely drop!) the adjuster nuts?

Secondly, there's an evil looking P clip pressed onto a ribbed stud on the trailing arm to hold up the cable. Will I be able to get this off and re-use it, or should I buy a new clip along with the new cable?

Thanks so much for your help,

Alan

**kenney** · 28-10-2009,11:45 AM

The cables push into tubes,from below,i think your best bet is to remove the trim,it's not all that much work,and i would imagine very futtery to enter the nuts on the wires,if you don't.I would also advise you to replace both wires,as i'am sure it won't be long before you will have to replace the other one.The clips tend to corrode,and they don't cost all that much.