Hand brake Adjustment

CapeCodTDI

Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2006
Location
Cape Cod
TDI
2003 Jetta
I have a 96 Passat and not sure how to adjust hand brake. Pads and rotor are ok. Hand brake barely holds when pulled up fully. I have some ideas but don't want to make it worse.
 

LNXGUY

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jan 10, 2004
Location
Barrie, Ont, Canada
TDI
'05 Jetta TDI Wagon
If its anything like the MKIV's you'll have to remove the console and make the adjustments on the thread rod attached to the cables... Pretty self explanitory once you get in there and take a look.
 

Wypij

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2005
Location
EU
TDI
Passat '96 blue


Pull rear ashtray out. Locate and remove two screws (A). Slide rear part of the console back and take it out - you may need to slide out plastic covers from brake handle first. This will give you access to adjustment nuts (B).

To adjust loosen counternuts and rotate nuts B. Do not rotate the cables.
When adjusted the bar connecting both cables should be perpendicular to them. The one in the pic obviously isn't - will have to look into it. After final adjustment tighten the counternuts. Reassemble console. Enjoy.
 
Last edited:

rdkern

Top Post Dawg
Joined
May 21, 2004
Location
Humboldt Co CA
TDI
Passat 1997 silver (sold after 11 years), Jetta 2000 atlantic blue
The picture above is exactly what mine looks like - and it didn't look like adjusting that much was a good idea. If you find the issue, please report back.
 

CapeCodTDI

Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2006
Location
Cape Cod
TDI
2003 Jetta
This looks simple enough. Thanks for the picture and taking the time to post. I do not think it needs much. It's my daughters car and believe it or not she really cranks on the hand brake every time she parks. I just think the cables stretched out. I'll let you know.
 

Wypij

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2005
Location
EU
TDI
Passat '96 blue
Have been to a shop to check alignment, tie rods condition, etc. today.

Talked to the mechanic about my hand brake issue. Got lucky, as he turned out to be an ex-dealership technician knowing these cars quite well. He pointed to either partially broken cable (thus stretching) or more likely to a damaged caliper (problem with automatic alignment). When I suggested getting a caliper repair kit his answer wasn't very encouraging. He said: "on customer requests we tried to rebuild those many times, but never got satisfactory results with this kind of an issue. Better start looking for a replacement".

Oh well... will look into it anyway. When I find something I will report back.

-Marius
 

Beowulf

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2000
Location
Lovettsville, VA, USA
TDI
A3 Jetta, 1998, Green
Wypij said:
Have been to a shop to check alignment, tie rods condition, etc. today.

Talked to the mechanic about my hand brake issue. Got lucky, as he turned out to be an ex-dealership technician knowing these cars quite well. He pointed to either partially broken cable (thus stretching) or more likely to a damaged caliper (problem with automatic alignment). When I suggested getting a caliper repair kit his answer wasn't very encouraging. He said: "on customer requests we tried to rebuild those many times, but never got satisfactory results with this kind of an issue. Better start looking for a replacement".

Oh well... will look into it anyway. When I find something I will report back.

-Marius
I have a similar problem on my 1998 A3 Jetta. I didn't think there were A3 TDI Jettas with rear disc brakes (my Jetta has rear drums). Is the same adjustment mechanism that is prone to failure on the calipers also used on drum brakes? Just curious...thanks.
 

Wypij

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2005
Location
EU
TDI
Passat '96 blue
Beowulf said:
Is the same adjustment mechanism that is prone to failure on the calipers also used on drum brakes? Just curious...thanks.
No, they are a completely different design.
 

CapeCodTDI

Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2006
Location
Cape Cod
TDI
2003 Jetta
I finally got the time to get in and look but there was / is no obvious adjustment. The picture posted doe not look like her hand break assembly at all. The cable is terminated with a barrel type fitting you might see on a bicycle hand break.
 

Lug_Nut

TDIClub Enthusiast, Pre-Forum Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 20, 1998
Location
Sterling, Massachusetts. USA
TDI
idi: 1988 Bolens DGT1700H, the other oil burner: 1967 Saab Sonett II two stroke
Rebuilding B4 rear calipers isn't that difficult. I did my wagon's rears in PererV's driveway in a few hours one afternoon. The first time (previous sedan) took a bit longer due to it being my first time on the VW rears.
 

Wypij

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2005
Location
EU
TDI
Passat '96 blue
Lug_Nut said:
Rebuilding B4 rear calipers isn't that difficult. I did my wagon's rears in PererV's driveway in a few hours one afternoon. The first time (previous sedan) took a bit longer due to it being my first time on the VW rears.
What issues did you have with yours? Parking brake related or plain leaks? Did you take any pictures worth posting? Is there anything special to watch out for when taking them apart?

-Marius
 
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