Why Can't the Handbrake Be Pulled?
2 Answers
The reasons why the handbrake cannot be pulled are as follows: 1. The pull wire has been used for a long time: Rust inside the pull wire causes it to be unable to be pulled, and the pull wire needs to be replaced. 2. The gap is too small: This causes the handbrake to be unable to be pulled, and a mechanic can adjust it. The handbrake does not need to be pulled too tight; generally, 4 to 6 ratchet teeth are sufficient. 3. Handbrake: The parking brake, commonly known as the handbrake, functions to provide resistance to the car when parked, preventing the car from rolling. The parking brake, also known as the handbrake or the parking gear in automatic transmissions, locks the drive shaft or rear wheels. There are different types of parking brakes, operated either by hand or foot through mechanical mechanisms. High-end cars are gradually adopting electronically controlled parking systems, commonly known as electronic handbrakes.
I've been driving for decades and often encountered the trouble of the handbrake being stuck. The most typical example is when parking outdoors in winter, rainwater or dew gets into the cable and freezes, jamming the lever, making it impossible to pull. That time when camping in the mountains, after parking at night, the car temperature dropped, and the next day I found the handbrake as stiff as a rock—no matter how hard I pulled, it wouldn't budge. I tried pouring hot water on the connection, but it froze again instantly. Later, I found a small repair shop where the mechanic discovered the cable was rusty and the lubricant had completely dried up. Fixing it cost a few hundred bucks. Since then, I've developed a habit: before parking, I make sure the road is level to avoid steep slopes; in rain or snow, I try to use the gear to secure the car; and I regularly apply anti-rust oil to the cable every six months. If neglected, severe rust can cause the cable to snap, requiring a full replacement, which is more expensive and dangerous. Remember, forcing it might damage the internal gears, and the loss outweighs the gain.
