Handbrake Lever Problem

[wehey]

I noticed just after buying my Arosa last week that the handbrake lever had too much travel and I was on my "to do" list.

I had the front wheels up on ramps today to do an oil change.

When I rolled off the ramps I pulled the handbrake lever up and it went up a long way and then locked itself off and wouldn't release. I had to use pliers to release the ratchet.

Now the button is stuck in and the locking wratchet is dangling loose.

Have I broken something as it doesn't seem possible to see what's happens without taking the whole handbrake lever off the car.

Should I just source a new one?

Edited August 19, 2015 by wehey

[Sausage]

What did you do with the pliers exactly? Cant you undo whatever you did? It may have broken, probably something did break because you suddenly had max travel, but only by looking at it will you be able to work out what.

[wehey]

I'm just using this photo as an example. I don't think it's from a Lupo but the principal is the same

When the handbrake was pulled on the arrowed part of the ratchet locked into position and the handbrake wouldn't release when pressing the button. I had to use pliers to release it.

Now the button is stuck in and the arrowed bit just dangles freely and does nothing

Edited August 19, 2015 by wehey