Weird Handbrake Behavior

Forgive me if this is in the wrong subforum, but my Mustang just did something weird. I pulled up on the handbrake to park, and as soon as it reached the last click it made a sort of a snapping sound. The handbrake appears to work as it should, both engaged and disengaged, but it is now considerably easier to pull up on. Is this a symptom of a bigger issue or is it something I shouldn't worry too much about?

Sounds like a return spring of some kind might have broken?


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The handbrake cable comes in three sections, with the main cable that comes from the handbrake handle joined in a Y to the two that go to each rear wheel. It's likely one of the two at the rear has snapped. The only way to find out for sure is to put the car up on a lift and inspect it from underneath.

So the brake is only acting on one of the wheels at this time?

Chistopher said:

So the brake is only acting on one of the wheels at this time?

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Yes, one of the only ways you will get those kind of symptoms. It's half as hard to pull up probably means only half the the brake is working. only way for that to happen except for a caliper issue would be one side of the cable broke.

You could lift one rear wheel at a time and with the parking brake on, see if you can rotate either of them.


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I'll do just that. If it does turn out to be a snapped cable, where's the best place to find a replacement? If that's the issue I'm just going to go ahead and replace all 3 of them.

Chistopher said:

I'll do just that. If it does turn out to be a snapped cable, where's the best place to find a replacement? If that's the issue I'm just going to go ahead and replace all 3 of them.

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I replaced the whole lot, including the handbrake handle, four years ago with new components from CJ Pony Parts. Their shipping is impressively fast.
My handbrake works perfectly. No problems parking on a steep incline.

There's a small u-shaped metal clip/retainer that holds the parking brake cable secured to the caliper/bracket back there. If that clip popped off this will happen.
I should say, I had this happen on my wife's '08 Shelby and I had to replace that clip. Wasn't easy to find an exact-looking match, but got one that's been holding fine for 3+ years now

Dino Dino Bambino said:

I replaced the whole lot, including the handbrake handle, four years ago with new components from CJ Pony Parts. Their shipping is impressively fast.
My handbrake works perfectly. No problems parking on a steep incline.

Click to expand...

CJ has their west coast facility in my town. Makes it so convenient.

My E Brake was stuck and only moved a little bit. I pulled up and released it several times and it seemed to be freeing up a bit but then it snapped and now the handle is free but does nothing. It appears my rear brakes are now stuck like the E brake is on. Any suggestions? It's a 2006 GT with 88K and was rarely driven in bad weather. After taking off the left rear wheel I noticed everything for the e brake seems to be new.

Replace the cables.