[glyn666]

I have just had an annual service on my Hyundai i30 Classic.
I mentioned that the handbrake travel was greater than expected without being excessive and could it be looked at.
The result was a call to tell me the pads were worn and needed replacing at a cost of £99.
I was less than convinced that the pads should be worn out given that the car has travelled less than 50,000 miles and I've never used the handbrake in an aggressive manner (I am the only 'real' owner, as it was bought pre-registered with 12 miles on the clock).
I didn't take up their offer.
Any ideas?

[Dazzler]

 

Yes, sounds a bit premature. Have you got a friendly independent that can give you a "free" 2nd opinion?

[eye30]

did they say what pad depth was remaining?

 How many notches does it travel before "on"?

Are they not able to tighten up the handbrake  cable?

[Shambles]

Sounds like a cable-tightening jobby to me. Half hours work.

[glyn666]

Since spoken with an independant garage, but they suggest nearly £50 just to adjust. Again seems excessive.

[glyn666]

Don't have much faith in what they are telling me - they tell me that the pads are worn and need to be replaced which is why the handbrake travel is more than expected. They said it should be self-adjusting. I find it strange that these pads would have anything more than a small amount of wear as the handbrake is only ever used when the car is stationary. 6 years but less than 50,000 miles.

[The Gonz]

Not sure I'm understanding your logic. The pads are your brakes, not separate just for your handbrake. Depending on how you drive, 50Kmiles could well be enough. Depending on make and model, the self adjusting can lose its capacity when pads are significantly worn.

[wbm00]

On my previous vehicles, adjusting the handbrake has been part of the service checklist. I'm not sure how effective any self-adjusting mechanism truly is. £50 from an indy to adjust a handbrake is excessive. My local independent is happy to charge a half-hour labour rate if that's all a job needs, but not all are like that.

I'd ask them for the actual measurements of the pads/discs at the rear, what Hyundai says the minimum is and what the thickness of a new one should be. That way you'll have evidence as to what's happening.

Once you have that info, I'd obtain a second opinion from Kwik Fit or another place that offers a free brake check and see what they say. With Kwik Fit it pays to be wary as you may know they have a Marmite reputation.

[Phil №❶]

Is your car a FD or GD & what engine type and year of manufacture. They have different park brake systems.

[Lakes]

the hand brake pads are inside of a drum, built into the rear disc,  two ways to adjust it, one via cable, but the right way is to adjust at brake shoes, like old drum brake cars or trucks.
If it was me i would ask to look myself as i don't take there word for it. but have you ever driven with handbrake not fully off?

[The Gonz]

Separate pads for handbrake? Now I have learnt something new.

[rustynutz]

[Phil №❶]

Only on the FD, I believe.

[Dazzler]

Only on the FD, I believe.

6 years old, so would be an FD. 

[eye30]

If fd then there is a hole for access to tighten the cable via the arm rest.

[Lakes]

i don't like the term fd, as were a good model still is!! if GD use the disc brake pads to hold hand brake, some can be hard to adjust but as i don't know what they use, tell me?

[Lakes]

If fd then there is a hole for access to tighten the cable via the arm rest.

So what happen's if the cable has streched & on it's maximum adjustment? a lazy monkey could tell you hand brake pads need replacing 7 then just adjust at the brake pads. i have seen hand brake pads de adjust every time you use them. so that can be a problem, but never had an issue with my old i30's.

[Asterix]

I adjusted the handbrake pads on my 2008. When the wheel is off there's a rubber grommet you need to remove, then you can adjust the pads/shoes. Easy DIY job.. 

[beerman]

I had it done on the FD as part of the routine service.

No extra charge on the invoice so it can't be that hard.......

[Graeme_r]

Just to clarify, the i30 has rear disc brakes, but there is also a drum inside the rear wheel hub with  brake shoes which can be adjusted as can the handbrake cable from within the car.  Normally these shoes should hardly wear at all unless you have a habit of driving with the handbrake on.  If you still need advice please post as I have the workshop manual diagrams.

[cruiserfied]

Ok there is some confusion here so i will clear it up for everyone.

FD - Rear disc brakes for foot brakes
      - Drum brake system inside rear disc for handbrake.
      - Brake shoe adjustment through access hole in disc (always adjust this first)
      - Cable adjustment under centre console (rarely requires adjusting)

GD - Rear disc brakes for foot AND handbrake.
      - Handbrake is an integrated part of the rear caliper and has no external adjustment.
      - Cable adjustment under centre console (rarely requires adjusting)


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@glyn666
You will need to clarify with the workshop about what exactly is worn out. Rear pads isn't unheard of at your milage but handbrake shoes generally last 2-3 times longer or more.