Handbrake not holding on steep incline

Socrates · Mar 8, 2025

Hi, I have a Freelander 2, 2010. I regularly go to the Peak District and have had no problems with the handbrake on steep inclines even with my caravan in tow. However, the last time out the handbrake did not hold and I had a real problem trying to do a standing start on a steep incline. My local garage has just passed its MOT with no issues. I did inform the mechanic of my problem before the test. He told me it had passed the MOT brake test and could see nothing wrong. Any ideas? If not, how would you suggest I tackle a standing start on a steep incline without the handbrake?

Arctic2 · Mar 8, 2025

I presume it's a manual handbrake not electric one, if so then remove the drum and clean all inside and make sure everything is working as it should.

Socrates · Mar 9, 2025

Arctic2 said:
I presume it's a manual handbrake not electric one, if so then remove the drum and clean all inside and make sure everything is working as it should.

Thank's. I'll search YouTube for the instructions on that. I am amazed it passed an MOT test.

Nodge68 · Mar 9, 2025

Socrates said:
Thank's. I'll search YouTube for the instructions on that. I am amazed it passed an MOT test.

It's probably all corroded up inside, that's the normal problem. If it's done more than 100k, it's probably worth replacing everything, including the rotors and pads.

MarcDelonghi91 · Mar 12, 2025

On the back of the brake drum, there is a little wheel that you can turn with a screwdriver.

You might want to move that a little so that the brake shoes get closer to the inside of the drum. Did helped for me when I was changing my braking shoes on the back.

Nodge68 · Mar 12, 2025

MarcDelonghi91 said:
On the back of the brake drum, there is a little wheel that you can turn with a screwdriver.

You might want to move that a little so that the brake shoes get closer to the inside of the drum. Did helped for me when I was changing my braking shoes on the back.

The Freelander 2 adjuster is through the front of the bell, so the wheel needs removing to adjust the shoes. However nobody ever strips, cleans, lubricates, and reassembles the parking brake every year, so they rust up.

MarcDelonghi91 · Mar 12, 2025

Woops, overlooked this is a FL2

Shedload · Mar 14, 2025

There is a nut and thread adjuster at the rear of the centre console for a quick fix, pop up the reartray to access just ensure handbrake is off before adjusting..
But given the age of any FL2 the brakes themselves could probably do with a service.

Socrates · Mar 19, 2025

Shedload said:
There is a nut and thread adjuster at the rear of the centre console for a quick fix, pop up the reartray to access just ensure handbrake is off before adjusting..
But given the age of any FL2 the brakes themselves could probably do with a service.

I had already tried that but thanks.

Nodge68 · Mar 19, 2025

Socrates said:
I had already tried that but thanks.

Tried adjusting the cables, or stripped, and rebuilt the parking brake assembly?
They should be done every year, but nobody ever does once servicing moves away from an LR dealer, so they fail to work correctly.
The parking brakes on my FL2 would lock the wheels if pulled whilst in motion.

Socrates · Mar 21, 2025

Doing all that now. Thank you.

Socrates · Apr 2, 2025

Shedload said:
There is a nut and thread adjuster at the rear of the centre console for a quick fix, pop up the reartray to access just ensure handbrake is off before adjusting..
But given the age of any FL2 the brakes themselves could probably do with a service.

It is definitely the latter.

Handbrake not holding on steep incline

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