Of bicycle chain, turnbuckles, cotter pins and spring

[cujet]

OK, my 06 has been suffering from random bad MPG. And, for the most part, staying lower than normal lately. But running just fine. So, a suggestion from a fellow TDI forum member was to check for dragging brakes.

I checked the rear pads and the LH side was flat worn out. The RH side was just fine, with nearly new pad material levels. (I did purchase a new set of OEM pads).

I found the LH emergency brake partially activated. The caliper spring won't pull the E-brake to the OFF position.

In a rush today (got a road trip today), I took a section of bicycle chain and a cotter pin and hooked this around the lower shock mount. I attached a turnbuckle and a very strong spring. This pulls the E-brake cable back to the OFF position every time. Just like God intended. In actuality, it looks like the nicest rig you have ever seen, 4" of chrome shimano dura ace bike chain, aviation turnbuckle, stainless cotter pin and all.

I suspect 100% satisfaction on my trip. I'll bet MPG goes back up to normal!

Chris

 

[Bob S.]

... 4" of chrome shimano dura ace bike chain, aviation turnbuckle, stainless cotter pin and all. Chris

Chris; glad to read that you are treating your A5 to nothing but the best.

 

[Mach1]

Deadjust the parking brake cables, there is not enough slack in them to release the caliper, the adjustment on the cable is in the console, have to disassemble the console to access.

Well you found your loss for fuel economy.

 

[coolbreeze]

out of c record?

OK, my 06 has been suffering from random bad MPG. And, for the most part, staying lower than normal lately. But running just fine. So, a suggestion from a fellow TDI forum member was to check for dragging brakes.

I checked the rear pads and the LH side was flat worn out. The RH side was just fine, with nearly new pad material levels. (I did purchase a new set of OEM pads).

I found the LH emergency brake partially activated. The caliper spring won't pull the E-brake to the OFF position.

In a rush today (got a road trip today), I took a section of bicycle chain and a cotter pin and hooked this around the lower shock mount. I attached a turnbuckle and a very strong spring. This pulls the E-brake cable back to the OFF position every time. Just like God intended. In actuality, it looks like the nicest rig you have ever seen, 4" of chrome shimano dura ace bike chain, aviation turnbuckle, stainless cotter pin and all.

I suspect 100% satisfaction on my trip. I'll bet MPG goes back up to normal!

Chris

.

guess you where out of c record chain?

 

[cujet]

The E-brake cable is slack enough. The caliper spring is simply not strong enough to pull the cable through the jacket. Just like so many old cars that came before this one.

Chris

 

[DPM]

replace or lubricate the obviously- faulty cable?

 

[Bob S.]

I kind of like the high end bike chain route... Although, CoolBreeze does have a valid point about the C record chain.

 

[ATLSilverTDI]

How about some photo's?

 

[LF06VWJTDI]

How about some photo's?

Bump for some pics

 

[cujet]

Sorry folks i was in a serious bicycle crash and just got out of surgery yesterday. I had 6 fractures in my shattered left arm. I won't be doing any mechanical work for a while.

ps. typing with ohe hand really bites.

 

[Crazy Jetta TDi]

Sorry folks i was in a serious bicycle crash and just got out of surgery yesterday. I had 6 fractures in my shattered left arm. I won't be doing any mechanical work for a while.

ps. typing with ohe hand really bites.

yikes that sucks but at least you are here to type with one hand hope you have a speedy recovery

 

[SBAtdijetta]

Ouch hope you are ok, and recover well.

I know first hand how bad a bike wreck can be, and it is not fun. One was myself on a motorcycle (got lucky only broke my hand, and had lots of road rash), another I witnessed as a cyclist in the MS150 went over the bars at 25+ mph downhill. I think it was due to a car almost pulling out in front of him. Another guy in the same year (2008) with the large team I rode with went over his bars on a hill as well due to a blown tire. He was hurt quite badly, even broke his neck.

 

[mittzlepick]

At least it was your hand and not your legs. Glad to see I'm not the only person using bike chain to fix a car. I used some c-record to keep the roll pins from falling out of my door handles on the b4v. I also used the titanium neck bolt from my mountain bike years ago to keep the alternator in on my caddy p/u somewhere between montezuma and boulder Co. By the way audi a6 2003 model has a nice rear caliper that appears to be close and comes equipped with a spring from the motherland I went to ace hardware and got a half by 2" compression spring and put it over the cable in the "compression" zone no more problems.

 

[darrenf]

audi a6 2003 model has a nice rear caliper that appears to be close and comes equipped with a spring from the motherland I went to ace hardware and got a half by 2" compression spring and put it over the cable in the "compression" zone no more problems.

Can you post a photo and/or elaborate on what's required to install this spring?

Thanks!

-darren

 

[Mach1]

Hint/tip

The calipers are supposed to be free floating!!!!!

 

[LokiWolf]

I went to ace hardware and got a half by 2" compression spring and put it over the cable in the "compression" zone no more problems.

Got a Pic???

 

[Elfnmagik]

Bump. Just finished adjusting the handbrake cable on my '09. Seems the brakes are still dragging. Looks like I'll need to look at the spring next to determine if the caliper is releasing all the way. Any recent info/fixes?