Worth Selling? Break? Opinions please!

Sounds a shame to break it but we could all do with parts. A breaker won't give you much either. You can try alfasudparts or classic-lt on ebay. nice chap.
Surely someone out there would like to bring it back from the brink.
Can't the breaks simply be replaced for something bigger?
What did VOSA have to say for themselves for doing damage to your vehicle?

What's the cause of the rear brakes not functioning properly?

It must be fixable to keep another LT on the road. Obvious question but have you tried a different tester who may be a bit more reasonable ?

You can put an add in the For Sale section for free so long as you give it a price.
Hand brake should be fixable usual problem is the joint seizing at the end of the rod, or the rod snapping. Rear brake drums/shoes could be glazed or it could be air.
Dunno where you are but councils and bus companies often have their own mot bays which you can use for the normal test fee.

It sounds like your brakes need adjusting properly, the hydraulics aren't part of the handbrake system, I would slacken the handbrake cable off completely, make sure all handbrake mechanism linkages are free and adjust the rear brakes as tight as you can get them without binding to much, I would also check the diameter of the drums to make sure they are within spec, they can cause the issue you have if adjustment doesn't help, you can take it for a brake test without a full mot

Dear Sychnant,

sorry to hear of your van troubles.  I am also having problems along the handbrake lines.  I'm hoping very much those on this thread might be able to advise..

I am searching for hand brake parts.  Here's my sorry tale..

I have just had a new head gasket put in, my brilliant mechanic Seyed has replaced distributor (thanks AndyVan) and various other parts and test running it all has been perfect.  The best ever.  He put it in for MOT on Saturday and MOT man pulled on handbrake and the pull rod (20) snapped.  Argh.  Then it got worse.

The handbrake is stuck half way.  Seyed thinks No 4 (on the Vagcat diagram) is broken, and seized.  Also both parts 11 are stuck and he can't get them out. 

Does anyone know if there's anything plastic around parts 11 as Seyed says he could heat them up to loosen them, but not if there's a chance of melting anything!  He thinks part 4 is okay but it's locked into part 9.  Part 26 seems to be welded to the van, and is also stuck.

Seyed thinks he can remake the pull rod, but he's unable to do anything else until he can remove parts 11 etc.

Forgot to say, had booked holiday in van leaving on Saturday!!!

So - on search for hand brake parts - VW Heritage hasn't any but could order 4 and 22.  Parts 11, 20 and 22 obsolete.  Have tried Brickwerks, and several Breakers via google.  Any suggestions as unlikely as may be, gratefully received.

Thanks v much, Elaine

PS trying to upload VagCat diagram..

Ok, been here myself so will try to explain.
If the handbrake worked before then it's just stuck.

First thing is to spray as much penetrating oil as you can around part 26, leave a few mins and keep doing it. I think after a good few soakings I gently tapped part 22 with a hammer up and down.
Keep soaking and tapping it will move, once it does you can take it apart if needed and re-grease etc. DO THIS EVERY MONTH OR SO.

Part 17 the rod is simple, cut the loops of both ends and weld a new bit in the middle.
If the new rod is thicker, make sure you leave enough of the old rod so that it can fit inside parts 23 and 26.

Part 4 will be fine, when the rod snapped it has spun upside down inside the handbrake and jammed against part 9. Either remove the pin part 5, or use a screwdriver to lever and spin it back the right way. You will probably have to do this several times when you re-assemble and get parts, 7,4 & 9 working together.

It is fiddly but doable in time for your holiday.

I'll move the post to Tech once you are sorted out.


Edited by AndyT - 28 Jul 16 at 13:14

Thanks very much AndyT and Simon,

You've given me a glimmer of hope!! I'm just emailing my mechanic the info and will send you my email Simon.  Will update with any progress.  Thankyouthankyou

Thanks - should have thought to look in profile doh!

I've emailed over some pics

Just had a quick look at mine and I'm pretty sure you don't need to remove the top pin 11.
If you remove pin 10 which goes through the loop on the rod, the handbrake lever will lift up and you can get at part 4.

Pretty sure 26 is welded and the pin will be well rusted in, access is not good either.
The clip part 12 won't be easy, and part 11 has to be hammered out the other way.
I don't think there is a rubber bush etc but you should be aware that the underseal burns really well if using heat.

I think there is enough access to use a cutting disk on the pin either side of part 22, the pin is nothing special just a pivot point so could be replaced with a bolt and lock nut temporarily.
You could then drill out the remainder, might be an option.