Handbrake Button - Parking brake handle button

[EarlyMR]

I wanted to see if I could revive this thread:
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sho...+handle+broken

Interesting thing happened to me yesterday. The button to my handbrake in my 95 SL1 came flying off the handle along with the spring. I found them both and it seems like a little plastic piece on the button that cathches another plastic piece inside the handle (very technical description, i know) has broken. I live on a steep driveway so it's used daily. Probably just got overused and decided to come flying off one day.

So, anyone know where I can get that little button you push in on the handbrake?

The "button" on my parking brake handle popped off the other day (03/27/2006), releasing my parking brake. Luckily I was not on a steep hill and the transmission was in gear, otherwise the car would have rolled away. It’s hard to believe that such a tiny piece of "plastic" is all that holds the parking brake in place. Once the “button” is broken, there is no way to engage the parking brake. I really think this warrants a recall.

Anway, it really sucks not having a parking brake - I never realized how much I used it until it was gone

I'll give some of the ideas in thread a try. Has anyone else had this problem? Anyone know how to fix it?

BTW - I filed a compliant via the gov't link found in the thread:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm

[Cat Fuzz]

Erm, stuff wears out after awhile. You can't expect everything to last forever.

[Low Saturn]

Same exact thing happened to my Uncles step grandaughter this week in the 1997 SL2 we sold her. I just went to the junkyard and grabbed a button and spring and he mailed it off to her.

I cant believe you actually filed a complaint. Do you do that when ever you have to replace your gas or spark plugs? Stuff wears out and stuff breaks. Deal with it. You're lucky its a part you can get for free.

[RangerRover]

Wow Mike, you must be in a bad mood today... (just read the lighted pedals thread) LOL...

Anyway, what Low Saturn said is mostly correct, things do wear out. With our cars getting older, its not too surprising a part that is used everyday, multiple times a day wore out.. and it is an easy fix. Just run to the local yard and get the "new" part.

[EarlyMR]

LOL, no I don't complain about gas, plugs, tires and other normal maintenance items. I only complain about potentially dangerous mechanical failures – this being the first one I’ve ever had and the first complaint I’ve ever made. Besides, if the NHTSA doesn’t get enough complaints they just chalk it up as a rare event, which it very well could be.

Nonetheless, why do I think it’s dangerous? I currently can’t use my emergency bake. If you have a 5 speed, like I do, you use both the emergency brake AND putting the car in gear to keep it sitting where you parked it. I think anyone with a manual would agree to how easy it is to knock the car out of gear - and so it can’t be relied upon by itself. Imagine parking on a hill and accidentally knocking the car out of gear as you get out of the car...

[Low Saturn]

Originally Posted by RangerRover

Wow Mike, you must be in a bad mood today... (just read the lighted pedals thread) LOL...

Hehe, not a bad mood, just sarcastic.

[EarlyMR]

Anyway, what Low Saturn said is mostly correct, things do wear out. With our cars getting older, its not too surprising a part that is used everyday, multiple times a day wore out.. and it is an easy fix. Just run to the local yard and get the "new" part.

Yeah, you're right. My Saturn is almost 10 years old and over 150K miles. I guess those everyday items do wear out. I guess I was just surprised that a tiny piece of broken plastic was keeping me from using my brake.

Ah well, off to the yard.

[agoldslsaturn]

I just had a vision of a saturn flying backwards down a hill and going off a cliff.

Im sorry thats not funny but it is. Hey btw mine was broken but I fixed it last night. AZ sells the button thingy for it for $15 bucks. Its the whole kit. I know free from junkyard but I am not throwing myself at those rabid men wanting my money.

[EarlyMR]

AZ sells the button thingy for it for $15 bucks.

What is "AZ"? Where can I throw money at them and get my part?

[agoldslsaturn]

autozone sorry.

Its under the brakes section in case they dont know when looking at the computer...

[EarlyMR]

autozone sorry.

Its under the brakes section in case they dont know when looking at the computer...

LOL, thanks! I thought AZ was short for a Saturn Specialty Website that is common knowledge around the forum.

I'll be heading over there after work.

Thanks again.

[agoldslsaturn]

LOl no, im sorry!

I believe if you look on their site it is the release switch for the car. It comes up as $11.99 on the website. Just go to autozone.com fill in info about your car and look under brakes. Its under the parking brake section.

[EarlyMR]

OMG, LOL, thanks, hahaha.

[agoldslsaturn]

welcome, have fun with it.

[eRic 02sc2]

I'll give some of the ideas in thread a try. Has anyone else had this problem? Anyone know how to fix it?

take it to your Saturn retailer and they will fix it.

[RangerRover]

To prevent your car from rolling away on you, always try to park near a curb. Turn your wheels toward the curb. I know this isnt always possible, but it is a good practice.

[Low Saturn]

Originally Posted by RangerRover

To prevent your car from rolling away on you, always try to park near a curb. Turn your wheels toward the curb. I know this isnt always possible, but it is a good practice.

You could also throw the spare tire under the rear wheel.

[RangerRover]

Originally Posted by Low Saturn

You could also throw the spare tire under the rear wheel.

...but that would look funny.

[gillmac]

I am new in an area that has no junkyards I can find. Does anyone know where you can order a new parking brake button when this happens?

Thanks, Gill

[irish56]

I bought the replacement button at Saturn/West in Columbus. They wouldn't sell me just the button - I had to buy the button and spring already attached to a nylon actuator arm that fits inside the parking brake handle. Cost me $38, but it was well worth it, and it took only about 15 minutes to replace.

The parking brake button was only the second mechanical failure in 170,000 miles for my '98 SL2 (the first being the infamous radiator tank crack). What a great little car this has been.