Change Car Handbrake Cable Volkswagen Polo
Change Car Handbrake Cable
| Estimated time | 0h30 |
|---|---|
| Estimated labour cost | ~50£ |
| Difficulty | Very easy |
| Vehicles |
Polo Mk5 2009-2020 27
Polo Mk6 2017-2025 21
Polo MkII 1981-1994 9
Polo MkIII 1994-2002 28
Polo MkIV 2002-2012 28
|
| Check the parking brake* | 0h30 |
| Adjust the parking brake | 0h30–1h30 |
| Check the brake pedal travel | 0h30 |
| Check the parking brake shoes* | 0h30 |
| Remove/refit the left parking brake cable | 1h00–2h00 |
| Renew the left parking brake cable | 1h00–2h00 |
| Remove/refit the right parking brake cable | 1h00–2h00 |
| Renew the right parking brake cable | 1h00–2h00 |
| Remove/refit both parking brake cables | 0h45–2h00 |
| Renew both parking brake cables | 0h45–2h00 |
| Remove/refit the left parking brake cable (disc brakes) (rear axle) | 1h00–2h00 |
| Renew the left parking brake cable (disc brakes) (rear axle) | 1h00–2h00 |
| Remove/refit the right parking brake cable (disc brakes) (rear axle) | 1h00–2h00 |
| Renew the right parking brake cable (disc brakes) (rear axle) | 1h00–2h00 |
| Remove/refit both parking brake cables (brake discs) (rear axle) | 1h30–2h00 |
| Renew both parking brake cables (disc brakes) (rear axle) | 1h30–2h00 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake cable Rear disc brakes | 1h00–1h30 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake cable Rear drum brakes | 1h30 |
| Renew the parking brake cable Rear disc brakes | 1h00–1h30 |
| Renew the parking brake cable Rear drum brakes | 1h30 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake cables Rear drum brakes | 1h30 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake cables Rear disc brakes | 1h30 |
| Renew the parking brake cables Rear drum brakes | 1h30 |
| Renew the parking brake cables Rear disc brakes | 1h30 |
| Check the parking brake cable* | 0h30 |
| Repair the handbrake cable* | 0h30 |
| Lubricate the parking brake cable* | 0h30 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake lever | 0h30–1h30 |
| Renew the parking brake lever | 0h30–1h30 |
| Repair the parking brake lever | 0h30 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake lever gaiter | 0h30–1h00 |
| Renew the parking brake lever gaiter | 0h30–1h00 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake pedal assembly | 1h30 |
| Renew the parking brake pedal assembly | 1h30 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake pedal | 1h00–1h30 |
| Renew the parking brake pedal | 1h00–1h30 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake shoes | 1h30 |
| Renew the parking brake shoes | 1h30 |
| Clean the parking brake shoes* | 0h30 |
| Mechanical parking brake* | 0h30 |
| Difficult parking brake cable removal* | 0h30 |
| Adjust the parking brake* | 0h30–1h30 |
| Remove/refit the left parking brake cable Rear disc brakes | 1h00 |
| Remove/refit the left parking brake cable Rear drum brakes | 1h30 |
| Renew the left parking brake cable Rear drum brakes | 1h30 |
| Renew the left parking brake cable Rear disc brakes | 1h00 |
| Remove/refit the right parking brake cable Rear drum brakes | 1h30 |
| Remove/refit the right parking brake cable Rear disc brakes | 1h00 |
| Renew the right parking brake cable Rear drum brakes | 1h30 |
| Renew the right parking brake cable Rear disc brakes | 1h00 |
| Remove/refit both parking brake cables Rear drum brakes | 1h30 |
| Remove/refit both parking brake cables Rear disc brakes | 1h30 |
| Renew both parking brake cables Rear disc brakes | 1h30 |
| Renew both parking brake cables Rear drum brakes | 1h30 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake cable | 0h30–1h30 |
| Renew the parking brake cable | 0h30–1h30 |
| Mechanical parking brake | 0h30 |
| Repair the parking brake lever* | 0h30 |
| Adjust the parking brake With armrest* | 0h30 |
| Adjust the parking brake Without armrest* | 0h30 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake cables | 0h30–1h30 |
| Renew the parking brake cables | 0h30–1h30 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake lever Without armrest | 1h30 |
| Remove/refit the parking brake lever With armrest | 1h30 |
| Renew the parking brake lever Without armrest | 1h30 |
| Renew the parking brake lever With armrest | 1h30 |
| Remove/refit the front parking brake cable | 0h45 |
| Renew the front parking brake cable | 0h45 |
| Check the parking brake cable | 0h30 |
| Renew the parking brake cable tensioner roller | 0h45 |
| Remove/refit the rear left parking brake cable | 2h00 |
| Renew the rear left parking brake cable | 2h00 |
| Remove/refit the rear right parking brake cable | 2h00 |
| Renew the rear right parking brake cable | 2h00 |
What is the function of Volkswagen Polo 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 Volkswagen Polo 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 Volkswagen Polo 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 Volkswagen Polo 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.
5 models covered
| Model | Year Range | Engines covered | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polo Mk5 2009-2020 | 2009-2020 | 1.0 MPI Petrol (CHYA), 1.0 MPI Petrol (CHYB), 1.0 TSI Petrol (CHZB), 1.0 TSI Petrol (CHZC), 1.2 12V Petrol (CGPA), 1.2 12V Petrol (CGPB), 1.2 TDI Diesel (CFWA), 1.2 TSI Petrol (CBZB), 1.2 TSI Petrol (CBZC), 1.2 TSI Petrol (CJZC), 1.2 TSI Petrol (CJZD), 1.4 LPG LPG,Petrol (CMAA),… | Diesel, LPG, Petrol |
| Polo Mk6 2017-2025 | 2017-2025 | 1.0 MPI Petrol (CHYB), 1.0 MPI Petrol (CHYC), 1.0 MPI Petrol (DFNA), 1.0 MPI Petrol (DFNB), 1.0 MPI Petrol (DSGB), 1.0 MPI Petrol (DSGD), 1.0 TGI CNG,Petrol (DBYA), 1.0 TSI Petrol (CHZJ), 1.0 TSI Petrol (CHZL), 1.0 TSI Petrol (DKJA), 1.0 TSI Petrol (DKLA), 1.0 TSI Petrol (DKRA),… | CNG, Diesel, Petrol |
| Polo MkII 1981-1994 | 1981-1994 | 1.0 Petrol (AAK), 1.0 Petrol (AAU), 1.0 Petrol (ACM), 1.0 Petrol (HZ), 1.3 (55/57 kW) Petrol (3F), 1.3 G40 Petrol (PY), 1.3 Petrol (AAV), 1.3 Petrol (MH), 1.4 D Diesel (1W) | Diesel, Petrol |
| Polo MkIII 1994-2002 | 1994-2002 | 1.0 Petrol (AER), 1.0 Petrol (AEV), 1.0 Petrol (ALD), 1.0 Petrol (ALL), 1.0 Petrol (AUC), 1.3 Petrol (ADX), 1.4 (40/44 kW) Petrol (AEX), 1.4 (40/44 kW) Petrol (AKP), 1.4 (40/44 kW) Petrol (APQ), 1.4 16V Petrol (AFK), 1.4 16V Petrol (AHW), 1.4 16V Petrol (APE), 1.4 16V Petrol (AQ… | Diesel, Petrol |
| Polo MkIV 2002-2012 | 2002-2012 | 1.2 12V Petrol (AZQ), 1.2 12V Petrol (BME), 1.2 12V Petrol (BZG), 1.2 6V Petrol (AWY), 1.2 6V Petrol (BBM), 1.2 6V Petrol (BMD), 1.4 16V FSi Petrol (AXU), 1.4 16V Petrol (AUA), 1.4 16V Petrol (AUB), 1.4 16V Petrol (BBY), 1.4 16V Petrol (BBZ), 1.4 16V Petrol (BKY), 1.4 16V Petrol… | Diesel, Petrol |