Hi all and hope you can help me.

I parked the car on the drive and got a very loud screeching from the EPB and now the car is stuck on the drive as the hand brake will not release.

I have tried the emergency release but that doesnt seem to do anything, seems very free, pulls up fairly easily about an inch or two, tried tugging at it but that seems to be as far as it goes without pulling harder.
Does anyone know how far or hard does this cable need to be pulled to release the brakes as my car is just sat there useless atm and im having to use my wifes very reliable Kuga

The other question is, if i manage to rotate the discs to enable me to get to the adjuster screw on the shoes can i wind this back enough to release the brake on both sides enough so i can at least move the car?

I have tried my diagnostic to mount the EPB, reset, release, latch etc etc but all it does is make slightly different screeches but i get the same result, brakes stuck on.

Sorry for the long post but hope someone can advise as im at my witts end with it now, been sat there for 2 weeks.

Thanks in advance.

Not sure what the problem is exactly but having recently changed my discs and pads I did do a bit of research.
The EPB should release automatically when you pull away but by the sounds of it the EPB won't release when you do that?
I do know that if you can get to the adjuster screw you will be able to wind the parking brake shoes back far enough but I don't think that is the problem.
Has the car been left for a while or anything out of your usual routine as it sounds like the shoes could be seized but I've never heard of that before.
Sorry, can't help more than that but good luck and let us know how you get on. 2016 RRS SVR Estoril Blue
2005 4.2L Supercharged Java Black - gone but was my first love.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If we all point our RR's in the same direction and accelerate at the same time can we turn back time?

Hi Scrumpy and thanks for the prompt reply.

I should have been a little more clear and also said over the last 6 months the car may sit for a week at a time without being used but never had a problem before. Handbrake always came on a released without issues.

I did notice a slight screech from the rear about 7 months ago but thought nothing of it after it never happened again.

I also fitted Terrafirma rear drilled and grooved discs about 1.5 years ago, all linkages were lubed and shoes adjusted etc so i dont think the brakes or cables are actually seized as i always use the EPB so the cables are kept moving.

When i first press the EPB switch i get a screeching, so loud the woman over the road wonders what im doing then i get the flashing red (P) light on the dash then if i try to engage or disengage the EPB i get the amber (P) light flash also and a message saying Park Brake fault or something and it bleeps each time i operate the switch.

Tried to move car forward thinking the auto release would work but just bleeping and fault message on dash.

I feel like the EPB module has maybe jammed / locked somehow but surely the release cable inside should release this or can the module jam up and not release?

Had the car just over 4 years, always full of surprises

We had similar when dads car (now mine) had been sitting for a couple of weeks over Christmas. Tried to move the car and it was solid, and handbrake wouldn't release. We rocked the car under its own power several times then it went with a bang, and released. Probably not the best thing to do but we couldn't move it otherwise. After this the handbrake just let out an almighty screech when trying to apply it, and the fault lights came on.
The hand brake had seized and as we rocked it the lining on the shoes broke and came away letting us move the car. a complete strip lube and new shoes then sorted it out, luckily the module wasn't the one that had seized and was ok.
Hope you get it sorted

Just got around to look at it today and i released the handbrake at least.

I took the cover off the EPB module to find it was fully wound up/jammed and did nothing more than pull the release cable from inside the EPB module which released the handbrake so what is confusing me now is why didnt the handbrake release from the emergency release cable inside the car?

I was pulling so hard i thought the cable was going to snap and yet from within the EPB module i just gave it a sharp tug and it released.

None of the cables are seized so i will strip rear brakes off tomorrow weather permitting and check the shoes, clean and adjust then take a look at the EPB.

Thanks to those who have posted

You just did not pull the cable hard enough you think you going to break it really is that hard i remember how hard i had to pull mine the first time i had to do it but good it's released now

Mine got stuck on at Morrisons the other week and I had the IId in the glovebox and when trying the unjam it just squealed and wouldn't come off, I also tried the release cable but it wouldn't work so I ended up driving home slowly, I then found some Tv coax and passed it through the ring on the release cable and it took all my strength to get it too release, I then found Discomikeys how too "unjam epb" over on disco3 site the hardest thing is removing the cover, after following his steps and then adjusting the shoes my epb works perfectly  Clickadeeclick

Exceluk wrote:

Just got around to look at it today and i released the handbrake at least.

I took the cover off the EPB module to find it was fully wound up/jammed and did nothing more than pull the release cable from inside the EPB module which released the handbrake so what is confusing me now is why didnt the handbrake release from the emergency release cable inside the car?

I was pulling so hard i thought the cable was going to snap and yet from within the EPB module i just gave it a sharp tug and it released.

None of the cables are seized so i will strip rear brakes off tomorrow weather permitting and check the shoes, clean and adjust then take a look at the EPB.

Thanks to those who have posted

No pal as you have to select Neutral to be able to remove the gear knob to lift the center console to gain access to the release cable so its definitely not for the autobox.

If your box locks up your in big trouble and nothing a cable will sort but i am waiting for that to fail too

Sharpy1980 wrote:

Mine got stuck on at Morrisons the other week and I had the IId in the glovebox and when trying the unjam it just squealed and wouldn't come off, I also tried the release cable but it wouldn't work so I ended up driving home slowly, I then found some Tv coax and passed it through the ring on the release cable and it took all my strength to get it too release, I then found Discomikeys how too "unjam epb" over on disco3 site the hardest thing is removing the cover, after following his steps and then adjusting the shoes my epb works perfectly

I saw DM's post but i cant see which part you turn as the brass looking part looks to me as though you cant turn it at all or am i trying to turn the wrong part as that part seems fixed solid.

I couldn't gain access to my EPB from the diff side / front side so undid the bolts and flipped it 180 and working from the spare wheel well (no spare wheel got nicked )

geoffsnook wrote:

You just did not pull the cable hard enough you think you going to break it really is that hard i remember how hard i had to pull mine the first time i had to do it but good it's released now Thumbs Up

Really that hard to pull? i honestly thought that cable was going to snap thats how hard i pulled it using the hooked part of the jack out of the boot and a screwdriver through the end.
At least i know in case it happens again

Thanks for all the replies, just need to find out which part to turn to unwind the EPB. Tried the brass looking part with a screwdriver but i am either doing it wrong or it is indeed jammed solid.

I honestly thought the cable had snapped when it released I was pulling it that hard but I thought nothing to lose, I did mine from the diff side and iirc it was the bit in the lower right corner which would be upper left .. I think lol mine was really stuck which I think is the squealing noise but as soon as I got it moving it turned easy. Clickadeeclick

The photos in this link show it a bit clearer "b" being the bit you need to turn and it's up the way you would be looking at it.
Good luck

http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic79091.html Clickadeeclick

WOW thats great, thanks for that one

Mine is in the same locked position so i will have a go at unwinding it.

Really appreciate that link and your help, will let you know how i get on

Regards,
John.