Is the handbrake in a front-wheel-drive vehicle the front or rear brake?
2 Answers
The handbrake in a front-wheel-drive vehicle is the rear brake. The handbrake generally uses a steel cable linkage connected to the rear brake shoes, and its function is to control the braking of the rear wheels, not the front wheels. It is mainly used to prevent the vehicle from rolling when parked. Prolonged use of the handbrake can cause the steel cable to undergo plastic deformation. Since this deformation is irreversible, long-term use will reduce its effectiveness, and the handbrake's travel distance will also increase. The professional term for the handbrake is the auxiliary brake, which differs in principle from the main brake. It uses a steel cable linkage connected to the rear brake shoes to apply braking force to the vehicle. For small cars, some handbrakes are located behind the transmission, where there is a brake disc connected to the driveshaft, similar to a disc brake. The parking brake is then achieved by transmitting the pulling force through the steel cable.
That's an interesting question, and I've wondered about it myself when I first started driving. Front-wheel drive means the engine only powers the front wheels, but the handbrake is part of the parking system and has nothing to do with the drivetrain. Having worked as a mechanic for ten years, I can tell you that over 90% of vehicles have handbrakes that control the rear wheels, including front-wheel drive cars. Why this design? Mainly because rear-wheel braking is more stable and less likely to cause the car to roll when parked. Think about it - if the handbrake locked the front steering wheels, how dangerous would that be? Plus, rear braking mechanisms are simpler with easier cable routing. Of course, some modern electronic parking brakes engage all four wheels, but traditional mechanical handbrakes still primarily work on the rear wheels.
