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[Brabs]

Well, I try to treat my cars with mechanical sympathy. As well as pressing the handbrake button to minimise wear on the ratchet, I also try to avoid turning the steering wheel if the car is stationary. Turning the steering wheel when the car is stationary puts unnecessary load on the steering mechanism, and also wears the front tyres at the point of contact with the ground. It's the word unnecessary that is the key I believe. If you can hear the noise then it's causing unnecessary contact on the ratchet (the purpose of which is obvious). The wear will be infinitesimal perhaps, but if it's unnecessary then why do it?
 

[mr singh]

Handbrake ratchet wear is a myth. How often do you find you need to replace a ratchet wrench / spanner due to wear?

i agree with you gregk!!

the only time i have replaced hand brake leavers is when X-Type had the hand brake recall, the self adjust mechanism would not self adjust and as a result the manual versions would roll.

how would you use your ratchet? are you not wearing out the mechanism when you hear it ratchet?
you home DIY mechanics may only use your ratchets on a weekend however i use them day in day out at work and i have the same ratchets i started with, 1 ratchet did have the mechanism replaces but thats only cos i put too much strain and it broke a tooth.

[Problemchild]

Depends what something is designed for though

The clutch is designed to be pressed over and over but by keeping the pedal depressed you add unnecessary wear on the release bearing

Like a handbrake button is designed to be pressed in a certain way and not sideways haha

So I'm assuming G has been on the laithe all weekend

JJ

[mr singh]

the hand brake mechanism was designed for both both button and non-button pressers, manufactures test there ideas for well over the equivalent of 1 million miles... but i agree the button is designed to be pressed in and not pulled sideways.

as for 'G'... ill send him my broken button after the postal services have returned back to normal

[CrazyG]

complete rubbish!

One should have said...."I think that is rubbish"...as that is
more acceptable and least likely to be taken offensively.

As for no debate or discussion...I think that has gone by the board...

But let's just leave it that how one uses the handbrake button is down
to the individual. I, like quite a few others were taught to ALWAYS
press the button in when pulling the handbrake up...it was to be fair
'the old school way'.
Times have changed, and so has the reliability of components such
as the handbrake mechanisms, so it is understandable that what was
once the norm is now no longer the case, and that appears to be so
in this instance as it does state in the Smart ForFour Owners Handbook
(section 6-22 'On the move') the following:-

Operating the handbrake
#Pull the lever upwards.
    > The lever engages automatically
       when pulled up.
    > The brake system indicator light in
       the instrument cluster lights up un-
       til you switch off the ignition.
Releasing the handbrake
#Lift the lever up slightly.
#Push lock knob (A).                 [the release button]
#Push the lever down.
    > The brake system indicator light
        goes out

This proves the point that it really does pay to 'RTFM'   

[Problemchild]

From now on my hand brake button shall be known as "Lock knob"

Hahaha

JJ

[CrazyG]

Wozat...you wanna be known as "Lock knob"....   oh, ok   

[mr singh]

we must take a 'brake' from all this blueness...

any how i have received the new 'leaver'... along with 1 tweeter, the other one is back ordered, and i believe that i have cocked up. i thought id be getting the FULL leaver and ratchet mechanism or at least the handle with button... turns out all i got was the handle, leather cover, a new button cover and an Allen key 

what has ACTUALLY broken is the button on to which the silver cover sticks on to, looks like ill be taking it off and trying to glue/aradite the button back on 

[Problemchild]

did you not take it apart to look first? like in my guide?

what bit did you order??



JJ

[mr singh]

i ordered part 300 with the assumption that it would come as part 10... and no i didn't take it apart as per your guide "Lock knob" , as i was that pissed off that i broke it i went and ordered the part with out checking...

[Problemchild]

aaaaargh - thats why we have guides

thats why i was confused

the whole handle comes off with 1 grub screw

the leather gaiter comes off as its held on with a rubber band

i am confused to the difference between 300 and 40 though

mine looks like 40

JJ

[mr singh]

40 is the metal handle and 300 is the leather handle with a brabus metal inlay

[Problemchild]

300 is the standard handle?

have we seen a 40 before??

JJ

[CrazyG]

If the picture/diagram is anything to go by, then 40 shows it
with the 'lock knob ' (no, not you JJ....arf arf arf...)

[Problemchild]

real pictures would be so much simpler

JJ