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Change Car Handbrake Cable

Very easy 0h30 ~50£
Estimated time 0h30
Estimated labour cost ~50£
Difficulty Very easy
Vehicles
A8 1994-2003 7
  • 2.8 V6 30V Petrol (AMX)
  • 3.3 V8 TDI Diesel (AKF)
  • 3.7 V8 40V Petrol (AKC)
  • 4.2 V8 40V Petrol (AUW)
  • 4.2 V8 40V Petrol (AVN)
  • 6.0 W12 Petrol (AZC)
  • S8 (4.2 V8 40V) Petrol (AVP)
A8 2003-2010 12
  • 2.8 FSi Petrol (BDX)
  • 3.0 V6 Petrol (ASN)
  • 3.0 V6 TDI Diesel (ASB)
  • 3.0 V6 TDI Diesel (BNG)
  • 3.2 FSI Petrol (BPK)
  • 3.7 V8 Petrol (BFL)
  • 4.0 V8 TDI Diesel (ASE)
  • 4.2 V8 Petrol (BFM)
  • 4.2 V8 Petrol (BVJ)
  • 4.2 V8 TDI Diesel (BVN)
  • 6.0 W12 Petrol (BHT)
  • S8 (5.2 V10 FSi) Petrol (BSM)
A8 2010-2018 21
  • 2.0 TFSI Hybrid Electricity,Petrol (CHJA+EAFA)
  • 3.0 TDI Diesel (CDTA)
  • 3.0 TDI Diesel (CDTB)
  • 3.0 TDI Diesel (CLAB)
  • 3.0 TDI Diesel (CMHA)
  • 3.0 TDI Diesel (CTBA)
  • 3.0 TDI Diesel (CTBB)
  • 3.0 TDI Diesel (CTBD)
  • 3.0 TFSI Petrol (CGWA)
  • 3.0 TFSI Petrol (CREA)
  • 3.0 TFSI Petrol (CREC)
  • 4.0 TFSI Petrol (CEUA)
  • 4.0 TFSI Petrol (CTGA)
  • 4.2 FSi Petrol (CDRA)
  • 4.2 TDI Diesel (CDSB)
  • 4.2 TDI Diesel (CTEC)
  • 6.3 W12 Petrol (CEJA)
  • 6.3 W12 Petrol (CTNA)
  • S8 (4.0 TFSI) Petrol (CGTA)
  • S8 (4.0 TFSI) Petrol (CTFA)
  • S8 (4.0 TFSI) Petrol (DDTA)
A8 2018-2025 7
  • 50 TDI Diesel (DDVC)
  • 50 TDI MHEV Diesel (DMGK)
  • 55 TFSI Petrol (CZSE)
  • 60 FSi Petrol (CXYA)
  • 60 TDI Diesel (CVXB)
  • 60 TFSI e Electricity,Petrol (CZSE)
  • S8 (4.0 V8 TFSI) MHEV Petrol (CWWB)
Check the parking brake* 0h30
Adjust the parking brake 0h30–1h00
Check the brake pedal travel 0h30
Check the parking brake shoes* 0h30
Remove/refit the left parking brake cable 3h30
Renew the left parking brake cable 3h30
Remove/refit the right parking brake cable 3h30
Renew the right parking brake cable 3h30
Remove/refit both parking brake cables 4h00
Renew both parking brake cables 4h00
Remove/refit the parking brake cable 0h45–1h30
Renew the parking brake cable 0h45–1h30
Remove/refit the parking brake cables 1h30
Renew the parking brake cables 1h30
Check the parking brake cable 0h30
Repair the handbrake cable* 0h30
Lubricate the parking brake cable* 0h30
Remove/refit the parking brake lever 6h00
Renew the parking brake lever 6h00
Repair the parking brake lever* 0h30
Remove/refit the parking brake pedal 2h00
Renew the parking brake pedal 2h00
Clean the parking brake shoes* 0h30
Mechanical parking brake 0h30
Difficult parking brake cable removal* 0h30
Check the parking brake cable* 0h30
Mechanical parking brake* 0h30
Repair the parking brake lever 0h30

What is the function of Audi A8 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 Audi A8 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 Audi A8 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 Audi A8 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.

4 models covered

Model Year Range Engines covered Fuel
A8 1994-2003 1994-2003 2.8 V6 30V Petrol (AMX), 3.3 V8 TDI Diesel (AKF), 3.7 V8 40V Petrol (AKC), 4.2 V8 40V Petrol (AUW), 4.2 V8 40V Petrol (AVN), 6.0 W12 Petrol (AZC), S8 (4.2 V8 40V) Petrol (AVP) Diesel, Petrol
A8 2003-2010 2003-2010 2.8 FSi Petrol (BDX), 3.0 V6 Petrol (ASN), 3.0 V6 TDI Diesel (ASB), 3.0 V6 TDI Diesel (BNG), 3.2 FSI Petrol (BPK), 3.7 V8 Petrol (BFL), 4.0 V8 TDI Diesel (ASE), 4.2 V8 Petrol (BFM), 4.2 V8 Petrol (BVJ), 4.2 V8 TDI Diesel (BVN), 6.0 W12 Petrol (BHT), S8 (5.2 V10 FSi) Petrol (BSM) Diesel, Petrol
A8 2010-2018 2010-2018 2.0 TFSI Hybrid Electricity,Petrol (CHJA+EAFA), 2.0 TFSI Petrol (CYPA), 3.0 TDI Diesel (CDTA), 3.0 TDI Diesel (CDTB), 3.0 TDI Diesel (CLAB), 3.0 TDI Diesel (CMHA), 3.0 TDI Diesel (CTBA), 3.0 TDI Diesel (CTBB), 3.0 TDI Diesel (CTBD), 3.0 TFSI Petrol (CGWA), 3.0 TFSI Petrol (CREA)… Diesel, Electricity, Petrol
A8 2018-2025 2018-2025 50 TDI Diesel (DDVC), 50 TDI MHEV Diesel (DMGK), 55 TFSI Petrol (CZSE), 60 FSi Petrol (CXYA), 60 TDI Diesel (CVXB), 60 TFSI e Electricity,Petrol (CZSE), S8 (4.0 V8 TFSI) MHEV Petrol (CWWB) Diesel, Electricity, Petrol