Parking brake cable tension
 

My cables were replaced a few yrs ago but it seems lately that when I pull up on the cable there is a lot of play in it. I used to pull up just a few clicks and it was really tight. Now I have to pull up considerably more to hold the car. Is this normal as the rear pads wear? Holds the car fine, no drag or anything. Anything I can do to adjust this? Anything I can lube? What should I ck under the car? Brakes are not my thing. I had the shop replace the cables when it was needed so excuse all the questions. TIA! 87 5KCSTQ

R

Adjusters
 

<center><img src="http://20v.org/audibrakeguts1jpg.jpg"></center><p>Hey Randolph,
if the parking brake lever does not fully open out when you release the parking brake, then the adjusters will not advance the piston out and you'll end up with much slack in the cables. Lubricating the cables is not really recommended since any grease will just add drag. The problem with the parking brake levers is that the pivot pin around which the lever rotates tends to get corroded. I believe that Syljay on Audifans had a write-up about disassembling the rear calipers for cleaning and re-greasing.
Links:
http://www.eveshamsquash.co.uk/audi/parkingbrake.html (also- see hotlink below)
http://www.audifans.com/pipermail/quattro/2002-November/066551.html
http://www.audifans.com/pipermail/quattro/2003-July/078279.html
http://www.audifans.com/pipermail/quattro/2003-July/078812.html
Cheers!<ul><li><a href="http://20v.org/brakere.htm">20v.org e-brake writeup</a></li></ul>

Re: Adjusters
 

Ok thanks. I'll look into this further. I hate corrosion! What a pain. I've had rear caliper problems with this car in the past. One is new and the other is original but was fine. It was re-lubed twice already. I wonder if thats the one causing me a problem.

I'm starting to feel that owning a car this old is like owning an old boat that ALWAYS needs something! ha ha.

R