Caravan Brake Cable

Jaczie
Jaczie Forum Participant Posts: 7
edited June 2017 in Caravans #1

Unfortunately my other half forgot to remove the brake cable from the tow bar before driving the car away from the caravan, he realised very quickly when the caravan jolted!  Now one wheel seems to be locked - any ideas/advice on how to release this - we have tried driving the caravan backwards and forwards, but worried about doing additional damage

Comments

  • ForestR
    ForestR Forum Participant Posts: 326
    100 Comments
    edited June 2017 #2

    This has happened to me when I forgot to remove the breakaway cable. Reversing the caravan backward  until you hear or see the brake release usually works. If this does not work you can sometimes release it by hitting the brake drum with a rubber mallet to free the brake shoes. If you enter "brakes stuck on caravan" as a search on the internet you will get more advice. If you cannot free them and are in Mayday they should help.

  • markflip
    markflip Forum Participant Posts: 177
    edited June 2017 #3

    Firstly make sure the operating rod that runs from the hand/over-run brake mechanism along the length of the van is moving freely with the handbrake off.

    Check that both Bowden cables that run from the balancing bracket at the end of the rod to the backs of the brake drums are both 'slack' with the handbrake off (make sure then van is secure before going underneath with the handbrake off!)

    if both of these appear OK I would try reversing the van with a vehicle (not just pushing it backwards or using MM) this will compress the over-run brake and operate the internal 'collapsing' mechanism of the brakes, which may well free the sticking one.  have a couple of goes reversing it back 2 or 3 metres then pulling forwards to see if the brake has released.

    Failing that, winding off the brake adjuster, in the opposite direction to the arrow that is stamped next to the hole, should release the brake, perhaps aided by striking the drum with a plastic or wooden mallet every full turn of the adjuster.  You should hear the brake shoes spring/clunk back into place.  If this is successful, remember to correctly adjust the brake again afterwards and check that the brake is operating correctly by refitting the wheel and slowly applying the handbrake while turning the wheel, then fully applying and releasing the handbrake a few times to make sure it is releasing properly.

    If that is unsuccessful, It's time to try and get the drum off to check the release springs etc.

    The fact that the brakes have locked on in the first place could mean that they may were poorly adjusted in the first place, so I'd check the adjustment on the other side too.

Categories