Strange Vibration, But Not All The Time?

[Angel123]

Never use parking brake. They are more trouble then they are worth. Specially on an auto.

[The-Acre]

Does anyone engage the parking brake ??

Malc

All the time. I see it as a part designed to move, and if it doesn't move I suppose I should expect problems.

[mikeyv]

Does anyone engage the parking brake ??

Malc

All the time. I see it as a part designed to move, and if it doesn't move I suppose I should expect problems.

That's my angle on it too, though to be honest, this is the first car I've owned with a pedal operated parking brake, so I'm going on instinct.

[brendangeorge]

Does anyone engage the parking brake ??

Malc

All the time. I see it as a part designed to move, and if it doesn't move I suppose I should expect problems.

That's my angle on it too, though to be honest, this is the first car I've owned with a pedal operated parking brake, so I'm going on instinct.

Work the parking break every now and again or it will eventually seize and fail the MoT. When ever my car goes in to the garage - local or Lexus dealer - they always put the parking break on and when asked why it is for the reason above. As The Acre said if it moves wiggle it - I do not however use it for parking or leave it on. If you do have it stick on just put it in reverse and it will probably knock off if you back up a bit.

Bren

[Gorodish]

Thanks for the ideas everyone. I'm pretty sure it is not the parking brake - it is too violent and feels really linked to the drivetrain. And it always disappears after stopping (thank God!). I'll replace the cv joint and see if that does the trick.

[ambermarine]

In all the ten years I have been a member of this club I have never seen a post were a cv joint as been the cause of drivetrain vibration.The fact your problem is intermittent and only starts at certain speeds points directly to bushings if you had a cv problem it would be constant the fact it went away when the cv was treated to some lubrication is probably because the worn hub bushing was disturbed during the process.The beauty of this forum is that you can cut out all the hassle of identifying a problem through other members experiences.

[Gorodish]

It was the parking brake shoes binding. Pistons were sticking. New handbrake cable and shoes and a bit of labour - thanks for all the feedback and ideas - great forum!

I now need to get the bodywork fixed after Mr Farmer's modifications!

T