How to Fix the Emergency Brake in a VW Jetta

by Jeffrey Caldwell
itstillruns article image
Jeffrey L. Caldwell

An emergency brake, or parking brake, on a Volkswagen Jetta is used to take stress off the transmission while the vehicle is parked, and as a fail-safe in the event of a major failure of the hydraulic brake system. The emergency brake lever on a Jetta is located to the right of the driver's seat, and is connected to the rear brake caliper via two steel cables.

Removing the Center Console

Step 1

Remove the ashtray from the rear of the center console.

Step 2

Remove the two screws located behind the ashtray.

Step 3

Lift the rear portion of the center console up and away from the parking brake lever. Remove the console from the vehicle.

Removing the Parking Brake Cable

Step 1

Disconnect the brake cables by loosening the lock nut and adjusting nut and separating the inner parking brake cable from the equalizer bar.

Step 2

Lift the vehicle and support it with jack stands underneath the frame or axle.

Step 3

Remove the outer cable from underneath the vehicle, and separate the cable from its support guide.

Step 4

Work back towards the rear of the vehicle, separating the brake cable from its support clips.

Step 5

Remove the rear wheels and tires.

Step 6

Separate the inner cable from the parking brake lever on the rear brake caliper, then remove the outer cable from the retaining clip.

Installing the Parking Brake Cable

Step 1

Connect the rear outer portion of the brake cable the caliper retaining clip, and attach the inner cable to the parking brake lever.

Step 2

Working towards the front of the vehicle, attach the parking brake cable to its support clips.

Step 3

Guide the front of the cable through the body and attach the outer cable to the support guide.

Step 4

Connect the inner parking brake cable to the equalizer bar on the parking brake lever.

Step 5

Reinstall the rear wheels and tires.

Parking Brake Adjustment

Step 1

Access the parking brake adjusting nuts at the parking brake lever. Make sure the parking brake lever beside the driver's seat is not engaged.

Step 2

Looses the nuts on both cables until the parking brake levers on each of the rear calipers hit their stops.

Step 3

Tighten the nuts on each cable evenly until the parking brake levers move slightly off their stops at the caliper.

Step 4

Measure the distance between the caliper parking brake lever and its stop at each wheel. It should be less than 1.5 mm (1/16 inch). Make sure both sides are the same.

Step 5

Check that both wheels move freely.

Step 6

Engage the parking brake and count the number of clicks until it is fully engaged. It should be between four and seven. Adjust if necessary.

Step 7

Tighten the locknuts on both cables.

Reinstalling the Center Console

Step 1

Drop the center console into position over the parking brake lever.

Step 2

Reinstall the two screws that secure the console to the vehicle's body.

Step 3

Reinstall the ashtray into the rear of the center console.

More Articles

article divider
×