Just passed 4k miles in the from new Plus Four. From day1 the handbrake was never confidence inspiring. Very little lever movement to hard with low braking hold. It was difficult at traffic lights on a steepish incline. VERY hard pull up on the lever but still creeping downhill. At the 1k service I asked for it to be checked. The tech adjusted it and it seemed slightly better.
I did a trip to Lakes and on to Scotland. Hoping the mileage would bed it. 3k miles and no different. Footbrake is no problem so it looks like the cable style handbrake is a clear problem. If the mechanism isn’t able to exert enough pressure then a redesign is needed to multiply the force. A change in the fulcrum effect might work on the leverage force generated. Having glanced at it briefly I can see a spring linked to the cable end lever/bracket. It looks to be tight against the mechanism body so wonder if that is restricting the movement during activation in some way. I have booked the car in for the dealer to look at it again so will discuss it then. In the meantime I’ll get Mrs sospan to use the handbrake while I look underneath.
Our manual Kia (£30k) has an electric handbrake with auto hold and is great. Hill starts so easy.
Morgan at £80k a poor handbrake. Hmmmmmm. The trad Plus8 with fly off brake on rear drums was good.
It looks like I might have to play with footbrake/handbrake to see if a pre-load helps.
