[MR2_ZZ_DUH]

Search a few times through the forms, didn't find anything - has anyone else experienced this phenomenon? I have noticed my break needs to be pulled pretty hard if I want to stay still on a hill.

I suppose replacing them is in the near future.

Jesse

 

[NHinNC]

You should pull off the center console. 2 screws each side, unscrew the shift knob. The wires for the handbrake light are attached to the console, so you might have to pull one of the attachments off to get the console clear of the shift.
Then you will see the adjustment screws for the brake. Pretty straight forward.
Your calbes have stretched and might be quite old. The little boot at the brake end of the cables rot away, and water gets into the cables, and the bend in the cables holds the water. When cold weather hits, you can then be left with a stuck-on hand brake in the morning. I had to take the other car, and forgot to leave the car in gear, and when the temperature warmed up enough, it came within inches of hitting another car.
Anyway, tightening up the cables will probably solve both your problems.

 

[SedreM]

Check the level of your brake fluid. That is the most likely the reason.

 

[Green Goblin]

Anyway, tightening up the cables will probably solve both your problems.

No it will not. Like Sedrem said, your brake fluid level is low. When you corner hard, fluid will travel to one side of the container, resulting in an even lower level, and the warning light will go on.

The reason why your brake fluid level is low, is probably that your brakepads are worn. Check those, and if they are acceptable, top of the fluid. If not, replace the pads first, and then check your fluid level. If neccesary, top it off.

If you are satisfied that your brakingsystem is in order (pads, rotors, fluid), then adjust the cable.

 

[dev]

You should pull off the center console. 2 screws each side, unscrew the shift knob. The wires for the handbrake light are attached to the console, so you might have to pull one of the attachments off to get the console clear of the shift.
Then you will see the adjustment screws for the brake. Pretty straight forward.
Your calbes have stretched and might be quite old. The little boot at the brake end of the cables rot away, and water gets into the cables, and the bend in the cables holds the water. When cold weather hits, you can then be left with a stuck-on hand brake in the morning. I had to take the other car, and forgot to leave the car in gear, and when the temperature warmed up enough, it came within inches of hitting another car.
Anyway, tightening up the cables will probably solve both your problems.

You don't need to pull off the center console to get to the adjustment screws as it can be reached using an extension with a socket. They are not really adjustment screws per se as it will release tension and then once you tighten it back up and crank on the handle it will self adjust both cables equally.

 

[Davis]

Just to make it even more official, brake fluid/brake pads are low. The great thing about stock wheels is that you can just peak at the pads to see if they're low!

 

[carlbecker]

looks like new pads will be lights out for you.

 

[MR2_ZZ_DUH]

HA! I've been pretty good about braking hard, and conserving when I brake. Went from 27,000 to 109,000 without new rotors or pads. Guess it has finally caught up, sounds like I have a small project to complete. :lol:

Jesse

 

[NHinNC]

Sorry for the bad advice. The others sure set me straight!

 

[dev]

Sorry for the bad advice. The others sure set me straight!

No worries. :icon_smile: I need to take a page from your humility.

 

[carlbecker]

Jesse, you got your monies worth from those brakes! I wish I could do the same.