Sprinter Van Came in with No Handbrake – Fault Found Underneath

Sprinter van came in with no working handbrake. We diagnosed a seized mechanism and fixed it with new cable and hardware at 1Stop Motor Shop in Newtownabbey.

Car Repairs
May142025

This Mercedes Sprinter van rolled into 1Stop Motor Shop in Newtownabbey with a serious safety concern — no working handbrake. Not just loose or weak — completely ineffective.

 

After a full underside inspection, we found the handbrake cable mechanism had failed, with rusted components and a seized balance bar (pictured above), stopping the cables from applying pressure to the rear brakes.

 

Why Handbrake Failure Is a Common Issue in Vans

Especially for larger work vehicles like Sprinters used around Belfast and Newtownabbey, handbrake issues are frequent due to:

  • Rusted or seized components from moisture and salt

  • Frayed or stretched cables

  • Worn-out linkage mechanisms

  • Lack of regular lubrication or servicing

 

In this case, the cable tensioner had seized, leaving the handbrake completely inoperative.

 

What We Did at 1Stop Motor Shop

We:

  • Stripped down the entire rear handbrake assembly

  • Replaced corroded bolts and retaining pins

  • Cleaned and lubricated the equaliser bar

  • Fitted a new cable and adjusted the system

 

The result? A fully functioning handbrake that passed all load and tension checks.

 

Whether you're a delivery driver or tradesperson, this is a safety feature you can't ignore.

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