Re: Handbrakes

["Stella Chia" <stelc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Jon

I used to have a Fiat 124 Spider when I was in school.  One day, on a clear
Canadian Calgary spring afternoon (where I went to school) I had it just
washed and polished and it was parked in my friend's driveway (just a teensy
incline).   About 20 minutes later I was in the living room admiring my
polish job when suddenly it happened!

The car started moving ever so slowly I thought my eyes were deceiving me!
After 5 seconds I came to my senses, rushed out and just managed to lean in
(the top was down) to pull the hand brake up - probably just one more
notch - before it gained momentum and onto the road.

My theory like yours too - other Digesters may want to correct us here - is
that the rotors and pads have managed to cool off and contract just enough
to let go.  The Spider used a cable to a secondary lever system to the rear
pads as emergency/park brakes.  It was pure luck I was standing there
watching it happen - a natural phenomenon not witnessed by many.  I looked
around the car immediately - there were no green gremlins around snickering
either.

Andrew
71 1300 GTj


The handbrake was on (although tugging at it further, it felt maybe a
>little spongey) and subsequently appeared capable of holding the car,
>although from now on I'm leaving it in gear on anything than perfectly
>flat ground, just to be safe.  It was parked on a steepish slope, but
>nothing too outrageous.  I know that it didn't roll for some time after
>I parked it.  The only thing I can think of (other than someone pushing
>it either maliciously or hoping to steal it) is that I have heard that
>on cars with rear disc brakes, the handbrake can loosen as the discs
>cool down.  Any ideas anyone?

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End of alfa-digest V7 #45
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