AN expert mechanic has revealed how a common car issue could be putting your safety at risk.
Craig, from Walsall Wood Tyre & Service in Walsall, West Midlands, took to TikTok to warn drivers about the dangerous fault.
Expert mechanic Craig revealed a common issue that could put you at riskTikTok/@walsallwood_tyre
The mechanism that holds your parking brake on can sometimes stick, making it less effectiveTikTok/@walsallwood_tyre
Craig urged motorists to look out for the most common cause of handbrake failures.
He gave viewers a look under a car to point out the specific part at risk.
The parking brake lever engages and holds the brake when you pull the handbrake in your car.
However, this mechanism can begin to stick over time, making it less effective.
Craig said: “What we commonly see is that this particular lever can stick.
“This recreates the starting point for the handbrake, so the handbrake becomes much weaker.”
If it becomes serious enough, this can even cause an MOT failure.
Fortunately, the fix is quite simple and only requires a £1.50 Poundland maintenance essential.
All you have to do is put a bit of WD-40 on the mechanism and keep operating it until it comes naturally back to rest on the stop peg built into the brake housing.
Then just pump your foot brake a few times and adjust the hand brake cable if needed, though it may be best to get the latter part done professionally.
Just make sure to use wheel chocks to prevent the vehicle from rolling while you work on the handbrake and keep it in park or in gear as an extra precaution.
Also be aware that this tip only applies to cars with disc and pad brakes, while models with drum brakes or other systems are likely to have a different handbrake mechanism.
If you are unsure what your car has you can check your owner’s manual or take it into a garage and have the work done professionally.
Social media commenters were stunned by the problem.
One wrote: “Good advice.”
Another added: “Reminds me that I need to do mine, that sticks every now and again.”
It comes after an EV owner who drives one for work explained why he would never buy one himself as it’s such a headache.
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