Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Took the 944 for its MOT on Monday and it failed on the handbrake, only 13% despite a really good pull on the lever.
took car home and stripped the handbrake mechanism completely. Bought new brake shoes and I had the drum surface inside the rear brake disc machined to remove a load of lumpy rust that I couldn't get off with a flap wheel or emery cloth. I marked each disc so I would know which side to put it back on again. Discs were old but not worn at all- otherwise I might have just bought new discs and pads. Cost £40 for the skim work. Discs came back with the handbrake surface as new. Reassembled it all etc.
Went back for re-test, handbrake performance really really good. Passed easily. If anyone else is struggling with a poor handbrake might be worth getting the drums skimmed.

Thanks for the tip, just about to strip rear suspension and brakes, and yes my handbrake is at best marginal.

Thanks for sharing kashurt, my handbrake also needs a bit of attention

A lack of use never helps with the rear drums and corrosion.

Exactly this. I don't use the handbrake on my 944 and hence it is always iffy come MOT time.

The solution is to pull the handbrake on slightly and drive it 'round the block. This runs the pads 'round the inside of the drums and grinds all the rust and crud off. The brake efficiency improves HUGELY and usually gets me the pass I need! Having the inside of the drums machined and some new shoes is the rolls-royce solution however.


Oli.