Handbrake Slipped

i think my handbrake has a problem - before when I park inclined, the car would still roll unless I really pull hard on the handbrake, there was even one time it would still roll even no matter how hard you pull, but it was very inclined so i just put it on first gear - the big problem today was when i parked in a very slightly inclined parking lot, I pulled the handle all the way, went out of the car and the car started rolling, luckily it stopped at the canal after the parking lot, I went back in to check, and the handbrake was all the way down, I knew i pulled the handbrake, I even checked the dash cam inside and yes I was able to pull it all the way, my question is, do I need to replace anything soon? how can the handbrake slip? I searched on google and planet 9 but couldn't find anyone with the same problem, now i really worry one day i would just find my car wrecked because of this.

I have not had to do any adjustments but have seen some write ups on them. The rear wheel parking brake shoes can be adjusted. Similar to old style drum brakes. With the wheels removed you should be able to see a small cog through one of the bolt holes that can be turned with a screwdriver to move the parking brake shoes. In the cabin the cables can also be adjusted. I don't know if there are write ups here on P-9. Maybe try a search. Also try Pelican Parts as they have some of the Boxster 101 Projects write ups there. On the handle releasing, is the release button sticking? Not sure how the handle could release after setting unless the button sticks. hope that helps.

I had it adjusted after i the car rolled a bit the first time. It was not long ago. They did what you said. And told me there wasnt much to adjust and the brakes might get stuck if they adjust too much from the stock adjustment. After what i experienced today. The handbrakes still works fine..

Sorry I can't help with respect to the hand brake becoming disengaged, but I would advise that you get into the habit of always leaving the car in 1st gear when parked. I usually don't bother using the hand brake at all unless I'm parked on an incline.

Last fall I heard a pop. The lever was still up but the car was rolling backwards down the driveway. Stopped when it hit someones car. The paint on bumperette was messed up when it hit and bent an aluminum plate on the other car. No other damage. I will never trust the handbrake again.

is this an isolated problem for porsche 987 ? or is it a universal problem for all cars? never had this problem for years until this year, really worried..

Just my thoughts- Overall it's a simple mechanism and reliable compared to other cars. I've never had an issue with 986 , 987, 997. I usually just check the shoes when replacing rotors. That said, stuff wears out over time. Do you have a good competent tech to work on the system? I would start at the end and work forward, Start at the brake shoes and drum inside the rear rotors. Are the shoes and springs in good condition and properly adjusted? are the drums ok? Are the cables in good condition and routing ok? Is the handle mechanism tight and move smoothly? etc. If the brake won't hold there must be something out of adjustment or worn. Not sure if that helps

i recently had my handbrake adjusted - the procedure is exactly as zedcat described. some older cars can have dust and rust inside the drum and cleaning the drum and brake shoes can make a big difference. have a look at the parts catalog file to see the exploded diagram. on the slip - the handbrake lever can pop out of position in almost any car if you're not careful. now I pull the handle up while depressing the button all the way and then let go to hear/feel it click into position. YMMV. on an incline I always use park on PDK /auto or 1st or R for manual as an additional security. if thats not enough, point the wheels towards the curb (making sure your tyres are contact not the rims!)

Ironically after reading this thread earlier in the week I saw a parking brake fail on an early 996 today. At a PCA club event we were all parked on a lawn which is mostly sloped. As we were all standing around there was a "pop" or "thunk" noise from the car and it started to roll heading for a drop off of a short retaining wall. Fortunately several people were nearby and four or five ran in front and stopped it. I wasn't able to find out what failed but I saw the parking brake back in its usual up/latched position later when it was reparked. I think the ratchet mechanism had just released by itself. I vowed to redouble my efforts to remember to put my trans in gear and turn the wheels toward a curb or other such close object when parking on any kind of slope.

Man, you guys with manual transmissions really need to get in the habit of always parking with the gearbox in 1st or reverse. On any car, if you just pull up on the p-brake handle the pawl on the locking mechanism rides over the teeth and can cause wear. Eventually it wears to the point where it doesn't hold. The way to prevent this is to hold the button on the p-brake lever down while you lift it, then release the button when the handle is all the way up.

Makes me cringe whenever I hear someone yank up a parking brake without depressing the button. Whether parked on an incline or not, I always leave the car in gear...and either angle the wheels into the curb or point them where I'd want the car to roll in the nearly impossible event that the p-brake fails and the transmission pops out of gear while stationary.

Until recently I have always had stick shift cars, more than 20 years, I learned early on you always leave you car in a gear, not doing so is like putting a automatic in neutral, and relying on the e-brake, sound crazy right, but it is the same thing.