handbrake snapped, HELP!

[thor]

Parked the +2S on Sunday after using it all weekend, pulled the handbrake (for some reason, as I usually just leave it in gear..), and instead of the normal "TRRRRRRR click!", it went "TRR ping! zzzzzzzzzz", with the handle coming toward me very quickly with no resistance.
The wire snapped! Was my initial reaction, and no worry for now as I can live without it.

BUT, driving to work this morning proved the handbrake to be ON, and I promptly parked it with smoking rear brakes..

How can it be stuck on and not OFF when it seems something snapped, am I completely stupid? Someone please give me a quick fix for this so I can drive the +2!

[elj221c]

Thor,

I suspect the cable has wrapped itself round a drive shaft or the prop.

Unlucky! Get back to the car with some wire cutters.

Roy
'65S2

[elj221c]

Thor,

I suspect the cable has wrapped itself round a drive shaft or the prop.

Unlucky! Get back to the car with some wire cutters.

Roy
'65S2

[thor]

REALLY !!? Is that possible? I haven't been able to check the workshop manual, where is the cable positioned?

[JJDraper]

I agree with Roy, could be drive shaft or propshaft. The cable runs down the inside of the chassis tunnel on the right hand side (as you are sitting in the car). The cable connects to the rod mechanism just above the drive shaft on that side. Simple to disconnect if you can lift the rear wheel (safely) and get underneath to snip of the remains of the cable.

Jeremy

[thor]

So, the consensus is to jack up the car on the right side and check the mechanism above the right hand driveshaft.?

[thor]

aha!
fairly simple reason, but a bastard to fix:
No snapped cable, but;
the left hand actuating rod for the handbrake caliper, had popped out of the fixture on the caliper, the thread on the end of the rod had gone, so the nut had pulled straight off. And because I'd carried on pulling the handbrake, the swivelly bit had pulled right out, locking the rod on the right side tight in the Brakes On position..

Now how the hell to get the thread on the end of the left hand rod fixed and a TINY nut fixed to the end of it is a good question... The left hand rod is zip tied to the bottom wishbone and the car runs like a dream, who cares !