[Xmandean2]

Has anyone had any recurring problems with the handbrake , I had mine changed on a recall last year and it has gone again , it's not even holding the car , the prob is my mot was due today and my car tax runs out tomorrow , the garage won't pass the mot with the brake the way it is, I rang dealership who originally changed it and can't get it in till August sometime aawwww and to top it off they cease trading on the 22 August as a Chrysler garage .... So sick at the moment, love my dodge but may have to get rid and get a common car , also I have searched high and ole for a handbrake part to replace at my own cost and my god needle in a haystack

Thanks everyone

V v sad owner:shakehead::shakehead::shakehead:

 

[meder24]

First off, welcome to the forum. When you get a chance, head on over to the Newbie Forum so that we can give you a proper welcoming.

As for your issue, is the hand brake adjusted properly? The pads can be adjusted to make them tighter or less tight.

 

[Xmandean2]

Yeah they have , garage replaced them All and handbrake shoes and that's what they said it's the handbrake lever clutch drum
Does anyone know where they can buy one
Desperation

 

[meder24]

Try our site vendor, Mopar Parts Online. They have just about every part you can think of for the Nitro.

 

[Xmandean2]

Aww cheers meder24 but forgot to mention I'm uk based thanx anyway

 

[stan the man]

Mopar online will not send bits to the uk ,try eurocar parts I got a brake caliper from them ,there used to be a place called magnum parts on the south coast of the uk , I got rid of my nitro and now regret it if you want a load of car brochures from dodge ,ie nitro ram etc and also a load of car art stickers dodge pm me and next time I am in Sunderland you can have them ps have holiday in Florida and fill your case with all the bits you will never get in the uk

 

[Scar0]

There is a DIY fix for the handbrake. But you have to be very careful when doing it.
Before doing any work on the Nitro, disconnect the Neg (-) battery cable and wait 10 minutes!
This will allow time for the airbag capacitors to discharge.
You don't want to have your airbags go off accidentally.
It has already happened to a few members here...

You will need to remove the center console. Then on the front of the hand brake there is a small tang the hand brake drum spring rests on. This tang/tag needs to be bent rearward a little.
Instructions are here, but the Pics are missing.
How to :- Improve the Emergency Brake

In this thread is a Pic of the rest tag. Post 2 Pic # 14 SRS airbag controller & 15 rest tag.

How Toark/Emergency Brake Drum adjust/Inspect. Part A&B
Caution:
DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK!
This post/thread and any others related to modifying/repairing your Nitro in any way are here for informational purposes only.
This forum and its members are not liable for what you choose to do with, or how you choose to use the information provided!
It is your sole responsibility to verify the information is correct, accurate, and safe to use.
If you are unsure, please consult a professional.

 

[Nitrogen]

in the UK why can't you get the Dodge parts from Chrysler Jeep. ?.

 

[Xmandean2]

Have spoke to Chrysler and it may have to go back in to be replaced as it has already been replaced on a recall , wonder if I can just pic the part up from them as in my local garage on ramps at the moment

 

[Scar0]

Replacing it won't do any good. A few years down the line, it will be just like it is now...
I am having the same issue again with mine, which was replaced under the recall in 2008.

 

[Xmandean2]

Hi everyone well I found the part at a cost of 87 pounds so I have bit the bullit and bought it , even though I could prob get it redone on a recall ,but I needed it now not 2 months down the line to be booked into Chrysler , I get it tomorrow so I will be straight off to my mechanic to fix and get my baby back

Thank you everyone for your help pleased I joined the advice is priceless

Cooooooool people x

 

[Scar0]

Hope this one works out for you.
Make sure your mechanic disconnects the Neg battery cable before he installs your new one. Better safe then to have to get new airbags and headliner.

 

[SthglosHI]

I have had huge amounts of fun in resolving this issue on mine following MOT issues each year. I am assuming yours is a Diesel/Manual tranny as Chrysler would not do a recall change on the petrol/autos.

I fitted my new modified lever myself it was fairly easy and straight forward, as other have said DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND WAIT AT LEAST 10 MINUTES BEFORE REMOVING YOUR CENTRE CONSOLE!!!!!!

When I fitted the new lever I bent the rest tab backward about 10mm, I did this as I wanted to make damn sure it all worked as it should. You will have some fun getting the centre console back over the new lever as it should only come up one or two clicks. This will not be enough to slip the console over. There is a trick of pulling on the cables to allow the lever to rise all the way up, slip the console over and then you'll find the lever is back to only coming up one or two clicks.

There are numerous threads and pictures on this issue, pm me your email address and I'll send you all my pics and phone number as it may help to talk you through this lot!

I would also add that once the lever is sorted, adjust your rear brake shoes right up tight and then only back them off until your wheels start to rotate. This adjustment might be another source of fun and games. The rear shoes do not self adjust, so manual adjustment is necessary from time to time.

Mine sailed through the MOT in June with the Chrysler mechanic remarking it was the best handbrake lever he's had on a Nitro (unprompted by me).

The root cause of the issue is as others have mentioned is the brake lever clutch drum distorts and leads to the cable system grabbing later as the lever is pulled up.

Make absolutely sure your lever is the very latest part number and revision.

Good luck!...but do contact me if you need help.

 

[Xmandean2]

Ooooops forgot to say , thanks everyone for your help , I went and bought a brand new handbrake for 87.00 , maybe I could have argued as it was originally changed on recall but it would have been a few weeks to get it booked in to dealers ( so they say) and my nitro was on ramps waiting for my doc to fix it .......so we did and now it's faaaaaab so thank you everybody for your help..............check out my uconnect comment for help with getting my u connect running......... On the uconnect page hahaha loosing my marbles

 

[SthglosHI]

Glad you got it sorted buddy!

I am still shocked Chrysler got away with a barely road legal handbrake like this.

 

[Scar0]

Glad you got it fixed. But in a few years you will need this fix.
I just had to do this to my "recalled" handbrake replacement.