94 Honda Civic - handbrakes left on for long time

Hi,
My friend forgot to release the handbrakes while driving her 1994 Honda
Civic for some 20 minutes on a freeway/highway. She lost most of her
braking capability for a while before regaining some control. A day later,
it is a little better, but her braking is far from normal. Any ideas as to
what part has been damaged and what to do next, aside from see your
neighborhood mechanic? Thanks

 

Wow, that handbrake must have been pretty loose for her to be able to
drive 20 minutes at highway speed without realizing something was up. If
I had to guess, it would be that the rear brake pads/shoes (depending on
whether she's got 4-wheel disc brakes or not) are ruined from excessive
heat/friction. Get 'em checked. With a little luck, the rotors (if disc
brakes) won't be warped from the heat.

 

Get them checked ASAP.

Most likely the drums and shoes are 'toast'. There could be possible the
wheel cylinder damage.

 

+++++++++++++

Replace the light in the dash . . . It's burned out. Then try driving it
slowly backwards and yanking the handbrake up sharply, so the car slows
a bit. Return the brake to the down position each time. Do it about
thirty times and if the brakes aren't messed up too bad, it might speed
the 'self-adjusting' process. Count the number of 'clicks' in the stroke
of the handbrake before and after, to see if it made a difference. It
does on some American cars, and won't hurt the Honda to try it.

'Curly'

 

curly, that doesn't work on the civic. they only self adjust when the
main service brake is applied & released hard a number of times - maybe
10 or ever 20 times. you can see it working if you take the drum off
and have an assistant _gently_ operate the service brake. should hear
it click each time it's released as the ratchet adjuster rotates. make
sure hand brake is OFF when doing this.