E Brake is locked

Audi a4 · 06-21-2009, 11:41 AM

Hi, my e brake is locked on my Audi a4 the e brake is not engaged and at the moment we have the e brake exposed so we can find out the problem. When we connect the e brake to its spot it only tightens even more. How do we get the e brake to be set as normal??

Audi a4 · 06-21-2009, 11:42 AM

Please Reply as fast as you can working on car at the moment.

**octaneman** · 06-21-2009, 03:20 PM

Hi Audia4

When the e-brake is used the rear calipers pistons may act as a ratchet closing the piston 1 notch at a time. To make sure that the caliper is not seizing, you have to disconnect the handbrake cable at the caliper, remove the caliper and then using a special tool ( if not available use vice grip) turn the piston and push in at the same time. If it's seized it will be extremely difficult and if not careful the piston boot will tear, If that happens the caliper has to be replaced. to prevent that from happening, take a syringe and squeeze a little brake fluid in between the boot and piston. The procedure will have to be done on both rear disks to equalize the pressure. Once you are certain that the piston is securely inside the caliper, check the cable itself for any binding or cable being seized at intersection points, if there is replace cables. Check the pedal cable also to see if it's functioning properly. If everything checks out,and the cables are OK and not seized then the problem lies within the caliper. If at any time the caliper does not function after pushing in the piston, then the caliper needs to be replaced. Remember, after putting everything back in place, don't forget to pump the brake pedal, then use the hanbrake on off a few times to re-set the caliper.

06-21-2009, 11:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
Audi a4 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2 OS: Xp	E Brake is locked Hi, my e brake is locked on my Audi a4 the e brake is not engaged and at the moment we have the e brake exposed so we can find out the problem. When we connect the e brake to its spot it only tightens even more. How do we get the e brake to be set as normal??

06-21-2009, 11:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
Audi a4 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2 OS: Xp	Re: E Brake is locked Please Reply as fast as you can working on car at the moment.

06-21-2009, 03:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
octaneman Mentor Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 487 OS: WINXP	Re: E Brake is locked Hi Audia4 When the e-brake is used the rear calipers pistons may act as a ratchet closing the piston 1 notch at a time. To make sure that the caliper is not seizing, you have to disconnect the handbrake cable at the caliper, remove the caliper and then using a special tool ( if not available use vice grip) turn the piston and push in at the same time. If it's seized it will be extremely difficult and if not careful the piston boot will tear, If that happens the caliper has to be replaced. to prevent that from happening, take a syringe and squeeze a little brake fluid in between the boot and piston. The procedure will have to be done on both rear disks to equalize the pressure. Once you are certain that the piston is securely inside the caliper, check the cable itself for any binding or cable being seized at intersection points, if there is replace cables. Check the pedal cable also to see if it's functioning properly. If everything checks out,and the cables are OK and not seized then the problem lies within the caliper. If at any time the caliper does not function after pushing in the piston, then the caliper needs to be replaced. Remember, after putting everything back in place, don't forget to pump the brake pedal, then use the hanbrake on off a few times to re-set the caliper.