Change Car Handbrake Cable Smart Fortwo
Change Car Handbrake Cable
| Estimated time | 0h30 |
|---|---|
| Estimated labour cost | ~50£ |
| Difficulty | Very easy |
| Check the parking brake* | 0h30 |
| Check the parking brake shoes* | 0h30 |
| Remove/refit both parking brake cables | 1h00 |
| Renew both parking brake cables | 1h00 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake cable | 1h00–2h00 |
| Renew the parking brake cable | 1h00–2h00 |
| Check the parking brake cable* | 0h30 |
| Repair the handbrake cable* | 0h30 |
| Lubricate the parking brake cable* | 0h30 |
| Repair the parking brake lever* | 0h30 |
| Clean the parking brake shoes* | 0h30 |
| Mechanical parking brake* | 0h30 |
| Difficult parking brake cable removal* | 0h30 |
| Adjust the parking brake | 0h30–0h45 |
| Check the brake pedal travel | 0h30 |
| Check the handbrake adjuster for ease of movement and even adjustment | 0h30 |
| Remove/refit the rear parking brake cable | 0h45 |
| Renew the rear parking brake cable | 0h45 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake cables | 1h00–1h30 |
| Renew the parking brake cables | 1h00–1h30 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake lever | 0h45–1h30 |
| Renew the parking brake lever | 0h45–1h30 |
| Repair the parking brake lever | 0h30 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake lever gaiter | 0h30 |
| Renew the parking brake lever gaiter | 0h30 |
| Check the parking brake cable | 0h30 |
| Remove/refit both parking brake cables With armrest | 2h00 |
| Remove/refit both parking brake cables Without armrest | 1h30 |
| Renew both parking brake cables With armrest | 2h00 |
| Renew both parking brake cables Without armrest | 1h30 |
| Remove/refit the rear parking brake cable With armrest | 1h30 |
| Remove/refit the rear parking brake cable Without armrest | 1h30 |
| Renew the rear parking brake cable Without armrest | 1h30 |
| Renew the rear parking brake cable With armrest | 1h30 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake lever Without armrest | 1h00 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake lever With armrest | 1h00 |
| Renew the parking brake lever Without armrest | 1h00 |
| Renew the parking brake lever With armrest | 1h00 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake lever gaiter Without armrest | 0h30 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake lever gaiter With armrest | 0h45 |
| Renew the parking brake lever gaiter Without armrest | 0h30 |
| Renew the parking brake lever gaiter With armrest | 0h45 |
| Mechanical parking brake | 0h30 |
| Remove/refit the rear left parking brake cable | 1h30 |
| Renew the rear left parking brake cable | 1h30 |
| Remove/refit the rear right parking brake cable | 1h30 |
| Renew the rear right parking brake cable | 1h30 |
| Renew the parking brake adjustment mechanism | 1h00 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake adjustment mechanism | 1h00 |
What is the function of Smart Fortwo handbrake cables?
The handbrake cables transmit the force exerted on the lever (or pedal) to the rear brakes. The handbrake (parking brake) immobilises the vehicle when parked, even on steep slopes. It also serves as an emergency brake in the event of main braking circuit failure.
Does my Smart Fortwo have handbrake cables?
Some vehicles have a handbrake with a lever and cables (entry-level models and those over 5 years old). Other vehicles have an electric parking brake operated via a button. Vehicles with electric parking brakes do not have conventional handbrake cables.
When should you change the Smart Fortwo handbrake cables?
Replace if: the handbrake lever travel is excessive despite adjustment, the cable is frayed or corroded, the cable outer sheath is split, or the cable has seized (common in vehicles not driven regularly). Also replace if the vehicle rolls on a slope with the handbrake fully applied.
Is it difficult to change Smart Fortwo handbrake cables?
Difficulty level 1/5: very easy. Key steps: release the handbrake, raise and support the vehicle, disconnect the cable from the brake mechanism at the wheel end, disconnect from the handbrake lever, feed the new cable through the same route, reconnect at both ends, adjust tension so the lever locks at 4–7 clicks, test on a slope.
3 models covered
| Model | Year Range | Engines covered | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fortwo 2007-2015 | 2007-2015 | 0.8 CDi Diesel (660.950), 0.8 CDi DPF Diesel (660.951), 1.0 12V Petrol (132.910 (3B21)), 1.0 12V Petrol (132.910 (3B21)), 1.0 12V Turbo BRABUS Petrol (132.930 (3B21T)), 1.0 12V Turbo BRABUS Petrol (132.930 (3B21T)), 1.0 12V Turbo Petrol (132.930 (3B21T)), Electric Drive Brabus E… | Diesel, Electricity, Petrol |
| Fortwo 2015-2025 | 2015-2025 | 0.9 Brabus Petrol (281.910 (H4B)), 0.9 Petrol (281.910 (H4B)), 1.0 Petrol (281.920 (H4D)), 1.0 Petrol (281.920 (H4D)) | Petrol |
| Fortwo City Coupe 1998-2007 | 1998-2007 | 0.6 45 Petrol (160.910), 0.6 55 Petrol (160.910), 0.6 61 Petrol (160.910), 0.6 BRABUS Petrol (160.910), 0.7 50 Petrol (160.920), 0.7 61 Petrol (160.920), 0.7 BRABUS Petrol (160.920), 0.8 CDi Diesel (660.940) | Diesel, Petrol |
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- Online
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- Make Loading
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- Year Loading
- Sub-Model Loading
- Engine Loading
Loading compatibility information for your vehicle
