Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Hand brake stuck

I have recently purchased a plus 4 (reg 2011) and have been happily having fun for the last couple of months. Today I attempted to take it out of the garage but having released the handbrake it appeared to be still engaged. After applying slight pressure to the accelerater pedal there was a clunk and it was free. The car had been in the garage unused for 1 week.

Can anyone tell me if this is a common problem, is it likely to need attention or maybe I should leave the handbrake off when in my garage for any length of time.

Thank you for any help in advance.

Peter

It happens on mine, even though I leave the handbrake off! I suspect it may be a vapour lock betweeen the front discs and pads

I certainly never leave the handbrake on when in the garage - I've had many cars over the years that do what you've described; gave up handbrake use where not necessary a long time ago. I just leave the car in gear.
nick

Sounds a bit like the brake shoes stuck to the drum... did you put the car away wet? Sometimes it happens if the shoes/drum or pads/discs corrode together. The iron content of discs and drums is high so they tend to corrode easily. I always leave the handbrake off and the car in third gear to stop it rolling, but the garage floor is flat so that works for me. You could perhaps use first gear or reverse if you are on a slight slope.

If you have just washed the car and put it away then no doubt it is the front pads sticking to the now slightly rusted discs ..quit normal..drive around the block after washing and apply the brake to clean and dry the discs and pads ,this should prevent it .
Always park in the garage with the hand brake of..

The handbrake is really only useful for hill starts. Having had my cable break once I'd certainly not trust it to hold the car when parked. I always leave the car in gear with the handbrake off.

My front pads sometimes adhere to the discs on one side if the car is put away wet. Once it was so bad one front wheel was dragged a few feet before the pad let go...with a bang

I get the same "sticking", say one in ten movements of the car after days in the garage. No obvious harm and leaving the handbrake off neither improves or worsens things - which must be caused by something else I guess?

Cheers - David.

Hi Peter

In my 8 weeks of ownership (and daily usage of) my 4/4, I have had this sticking twice. Both times were the morning after a wet late evening commute back home. My father (Citroen and Ford owner) told me that I should never leave the handbrake on in the garage.

Now that the various TM'ers here have also confirmed that they leave HB off but in gear, I shall do the same. (Since my dad's advice, I have left HB off only when there has been a damp/wet journey home).

Cheers

Jeremy

Thank you to everyone for their very helpful replies. I think you have provided the answer as last week I washed the car including hosing under the wheel arches just prior to putting it into the garage. In future I wil certainly do as suggested and take the car for a short drive to dry off the brakes before putting to bed. I will also leave the brake off when in the garage. I am also greatful to you for putting my mind at rest that it is unlikely to be anything serious.

What an amazing forum TM is, an answer from so many helpful people only one hour after asking the question.

If your pads are stuck to the disc after washing etc free up by pushing down on one wheel until you hear the clunk, better this way than letting in the clutch with a bang