UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

As i live in flat old norfolk, i never really use my handbrake unless i'm parked..

anyway.. my front brakes work fine but i've only just realised when i parked temporarily on a high gradient hill that when i put my handbrake on it was barely working! i had like 4 adults in the car and the only brake i had on was the handbrake and it was starting to move forward! LOL

anyway.. the handbrake works.. but if i drive along even at 20mph.. and pull the handbrake.. it doesnt do jack.. i cant even feel it slow me down!!

Anyway, its not the cable or anything serious, its just the brakes either need new pads or tightening.. thing is i've never touched drum brakes before as they are a b***h apparently.. so basically how do i sort this out? what is required?

also all my lights work on my car except my reverse lights which have suddenly gone, how much and whats involved in fixing this?

Reversing lights will either be a fuse, blown bulbs or finally a failed switch on the gearbox

Polo Paul wrote:Reversing lights will either be a fuse, blown bulbs or finally a failed switch on the gearbox

of those the most common culprit is the switch.

The handbrake cable tension might just need to be increased. Theres a bracket under the car for doing this - see the mk2 haynes manual.

I dont want to park behind you mate, we still get hills in norfolk!!

haha you s**t yourself when i pulled the handbrake the other week going to Tesco's LOL

lol, yeh cos i thought it might actaully work, you'd have had better luck opening the door and sticking your foot out!!