I have replaced the rear pads on the 2.8 2001 van. Having wound the piston in and replaced the pads, I now find that the lever which applies the hand brake is not releasing the pads from the disc. The lever moves freely so is not seized. Is there an internal spring on the lever? The lever appears appears to be on a spline. Does this need moving after fitting the pads?

Paul, April 2015

The rear calipers I have encountered usually have a return spring fitted and the lever should butt up against a stop when the h/brake is off. If it isn`t then you either have a seized/sticking cable,the cable is over adjusted or you have an internal fault with your caliper,if it is the latter then a replacement caliper is the way to go. Good luck.

cdc, April 2015