Help: how to adjust b6 parking brake cables?

**nihil** · 04-26-2008 03:38 PM

The cables do not have any individual adjustment at all that I can see, there is a ratcheting cam type deal with two hooks (for cables) attached to the base of the parking brake lever. I'm working through the hole in the ashtray (center console looks like a HUGE pain to remove). 've been trying to get that stupid auto-adjuster to release the hooks for two hours now, and it wont fucking budge. What is engaging those teeth? How the hell do I disengage it?

**A4 KiDD 810** · 04-26-2008 09:01 PM

Bump. I dont think its really that hard, even though I dont know how to do it, my dad had his shop loosen my cable for the winter so it wouldnt stick, anyway, it wasnt a major job for them at all.

**gotquattro** · 04-26-2008 10:26 PM

Here ya go & hope it helps....

Looks like fun

**nihil** · 04-27-2008 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by gotquattro

Here ya go & hope it helps....

Looks like fun

Thank you! I had seen the text part in other posts, but without the pictures it made no sense. Sadly, I blindly tried pushing the "button" (it's more of a tooth/nub really) yesterday, and got nowhere. Both hooks are as far forward as they go, and won't come back.

It wouldn't be such a pain in the ass if it weren't buried where it is. It's somewhat like an N75 valve, looks simple enough, not far into its compartment, but surrounded by enough peripheral bits and pieces to make it obnoxious.

I'll give it another shot today now that I know that little nub is the release.

**zcrew** · 04-27-2008 11:17 AM

got a printout for replacing the cable? mine freezes and locks up during the winter

**nihil** · 04-27-2008 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by zcrew

got a printout for replacing the cable? mine freezes and locks up during the winter

+1

That's the very reason I was working on it yesterday. I had it disconnected for the winter because it would lock up when frozen, and was trying to reconnect it.

Sad part is, I've got the Bentley manual DVD, but it's not running correctly and Bentleys tech support is lacking.

**gotquattro** · 04-27-2008 07:06 PM

cable first, which at one point refers to another page about removing the handle, so that follows second...

Handle:

**zcrew** · 04-27-2008 07:31 PM

thanks pal, you're the best

**nihil** · 04-27-2008 07:34 PM

Yes thank you indeed.

Funny how it says to use a screwdriver to push that little button. I tried screwdrivers, allen wrenches, different pieces of wire, anything I could find, but it wouldn't release. I had to grind down a flat-head into a key of sorts to get it to let go.

**cuerna** · 01-04-2011 03:48 PM

Thanks gotquattro< I was looking for this< my parking brake cable went bad yesterday and I need to fix it.

**gotquattro** · 01-04-2011 05:35 PM

Wow- blast from the past

Glad those e-brake cable repair steps are still helping people :)

**lookaught** · 07-10-2011 01:39 PM

Does anyone know where the hand brake sensor is located? Is it in the handle assembly?

My car was parked for about a month, I think with the ebrake slightly engaged, and now even though the brake is disengaged the sensor does not seem to work. The brake is off, the pads are not dragging. I actually have fairly new cables (~3 years old) and have never had an engagement issue. It seems the sensor just stopped working, corroded, or got stuck. I'd like to replace it or wire it closed.

Thanks for any input!