Handbrake Parking brake fault

[pcr]

Pottsy, just for info. Although this phemoninum can be reproduced, it is not easily done and I would say it's just the way the ratchet is, rather than a fault. When it occurs, the lower teeth do, however, never engage, which I attribute to the release being so fast that the pawl rides over the crest of the teeth.

An observation, with the brake engaged, there is zero free play in the release button, I assume that is normal.

[Pottsy]

Indeed. I was wondering though if the pawl could be poorly sprung, sticky (the button is a bit wobbly and it could get stuck), badly shaped or badly positioned. Might just go and have a look...

[Pottsy]

Had a look, and no user serviceable parts inside. For the record:

Remove the centre console (again!). 4 screws, clips at the front, cig lighter wire.

Unclip the upper and lower grips. They pull off front end first, with a scoop at the rear:

hba.jpg

Close up of the clips on the grips:

hbb.jpg

Undo 2 7mm screws. Mine were very loose, one had a tiny amount of blue loctite on that wasn't doing anything:

hbc.jpg

You have to pull the button off, or whack it from behind. This is nasty, and I suggest that you just look at these photos instead of attempting it!

This will allow you to slide off the whole silver surround, to reveal the plastic release shaft inside a metal C section:

hbd.jpg

The ratchet and pawl are hidden behind this tin, which is permanently riveted in place:

hbe.jpg

Close up of the ratchet and tiny little coil spring:

hbf.jpg

OOF close up of the ratchet:

hbg.jpg

When you put the thing back together, the silver trim should be all the way back towards the rear. The little screws that go in the holes below should not be too tight (tiny little threads) and gooped up with loctite. If the silver trim is too far forwards, I found it could interfere with the ratchet.

Solutions found....

None. Soz!

hbh.jpg

[pcr]

Pottsy,
Very many thanks, certainly saved me having a look, will now digest your pictures. Did you notice any grease on the ratchet ?.

[Pottsy]

Yes, it was greased, as was the pawl mechanism.

[FWH]

Originally Posted by Pottsy

Had a look

I knew you wouldnt be able to keep away!

So the spring keeping the button in the "out" position is inside the tin?

[Pottsy]

Yep - it's a little coil spring with legs, just visible in the 6th photo.

[robertc808]

I can't remember if I posted this information as it was a while ago...

I did take the car to the local Honda garage who of course could find nothing wrong but the mechanic advised me always to pull up on the ratchet. This seems to concur with other posts I have seen.

I did not actually have any more problems - up until we sold the car (financial reasons mainly). It wasn't that I didn't like the car, but the handbrake issue days after we bought it spoilt the ownership a bit and I could never get used to the very fidgety and bumpy ride - the Civic's worst point - and the scarily dreadful rear visibility. I do miss the wonderful diesel engine though and I still love the way it looks, inside and out.

So I guess I will be signing off from Civinfo now - thanks for all the fish

[andyp]

I had a similar problem with my 1.8ex.
I was loading the boot to go on holiday, when i heard a "clonk" noise and the car started to roll back down the drive into the house. I know i put the handbrake fully on.

[vtec-hungry]

pottsy y is honda not doing anything about this, this is fatal, im amazed no ones got hurt yet, how can honda ignore it????

[richierich]

I guess Honda see this as less of an issue then those with the problem, there must be plenty of Civics out there with no problems, even if every member on here had the same thing it would be a small percentage of the total number of Civics shipped out of Swindon so far.

[Brodick]

Originally Posted by vtec-hungry

pottsy y is honda not doing anything about this, this is fatal, im amazed no ones got hurt yet, how can honda ignore it????

Originally Posted by richierich

I guess Honda see this as less of an issue then those with the problem, there must be plenty of Civics out there with no problems, even if every member on here had the same thing it would be a small percentage of the total number of Civics shipped out of Swindon so far.

I am sure Honda are looking into the issue in the background
but as RR says the number of cars affected seems to be small
I know we have not had any issues and two friends of mine who have
new civics have had no issues

The Parking Brake issue does affect other manufacturers aswell
are they sharing parts from the same part manufacturer it may be worth the manufacturers getting together over this
if this is the case

It still seems very strange that only some cars are affected !!!

[robertc808]

Well, having originally raised this issue and with plenty of ne'ersayers, I'm glad to see that Honda UK have finally admitted there is a problem with the handbrake. I will be writing to them and my insurers to get my insurance excess back. What annoys me most of all was their flat refusal to admit that anything could even possibly be wrong and their insistence that it must have been my missus' fault.

[Topcat]

Originally Posted by robertc808

What annoys me most of all was their flat refusal to admit that anything could even possibly be wrong and their insistence that it must have been my missus' fault.

Honda's standard response to every issue I believe !!

Erm that is not that your wife is to blame for everything, but their refusal to accept that their amazing civic is fault free.