Handbrake snap terror!

[VND]

Ok, so parking up at the top of the hill the other evening I had to pull the handbrake an 'extra' click to get a good bite.
Swung my legs out of the car to stand up, heard a pop, the car rolled down the small hill with me half in and half out, bounced through some innocent plant pots and into the back of a new Fiesta.
Though about bailing out.
Also Thought about raching down to the footbrake.
Unfortunatly, by the time id thought both of those thigs, it was all over.

So........................... It seems BOTH handbrake cables have rusted throgh and snapped??!

Great.
Need a new bumper and a\ new handbrake then.

Anyone know if this is a common fault?
Think Im gonna start leaving it in gear from now anyway.

[Welly]

Welcome to 406's

The 406 should come with a warning about the handbrake!

I used to leave mine in gear.

What about the fezza? or haven't they 'noticed' yet

[VND]

It was my dads wifes Zetec Fez.
And it was my old man that gave me the 406.
So, hes getting all the blame.

[maglite1]

dont know if ya interested but "chaz" on here has the front bumper with the crossmember that bolts off behind it with the fog lights in it and the headlighs if needed .

[VND]

dont know if ya interested but "chaz" on here has the front bumper with the crossmember that bolts off behind it with the fog lights in it and the headlighs if needed .

Cheers man. Already sourced a same colour replacement though.

[mjb]

It was my dads wifes Zetec Fez.
And it was my old man that gave me the 406.
So, hes getting all the blame.

Very lucky! I always leave it in gear when parking on hills, and leave the wheel turned such that if it did roll, it'd come to a stop at the kerb... Don't trust 406 handbrakes!!!

[steve_earwig]

Holey crap! Sorry about the cars but I'm glad you're ok - I read a while back that the owner one of these Passats with the malfunctioning push button handbrake was trying to get into it as it rolled into heavy traffic...

We know they stretch but where did it break? *brings forward handbrake cable renewal plans*

[VND]

Holey crap! Sorry about the cars but I'm glad you're ok - I read a while back that the owner one of these Passats with the malfunctioning push button handbrake was trying to get into it as it rolled into heavy traffic...

We know they stretch but where did it break? *brings forward handbrake cable renewal plans*

I dont know to be honest.
I waggled my finger at the old man and said 'youre trying to kill me dude! I nearly fell under the back wheels!'
And he offered to put it into the local garage for fixings in an attempt to placate me.
the word from underneath the ramps came back as both cables corroded and snapped.
But I honestly dont know at which point.

[neildavies]

I've alwys parked in gear, being brought up on a steep hill.

I'm waiting for mine to snap, so I can get a handbrake that doesn't reach the roof!

[VND]

I've alwys parked in gear, being brought up on a steep hill.

I'm waiting for mine to snap, so I can get a handbrake that doesn't reach the roof!

Maybe best to bite the bullet and forgo the waiting.
Wish Id known mine was in a bad state. Wouldve saved me a bumper.

And mine wasnt even that 'high'.

[neildavies]

Bullet bitten and it's booked in next Tuesday.