Rusty handbrake adjuster...ideas?

[Dave Hord]

Well, the euphoria of having an amazingly well-working Audi has passed, and I'm 
back to battling the huge list of 'things to do'.

While doing the brakes this week, I went to go adjust the handbrake adjustment 
back out (it was adjusted a year ago to accomidate worn pads). PLENTY of 
penetrating oil (as it is just RUST) and away-we-go.  

Well, I didn't get very far.  I had the socket on tight (or, maybe I really 
didn't) regardless...I rounded the nut. <sigh>  Any ideas on what to do?  It 
seems the only way I can get in there is to un-do the centre support for the 
driveshaft so I can lower it enough that I can work in there.

I have two thoughts:

A) I don't want to touch the driveshaft for fear of upsetting some cosmic 
balance that has built itself up over the 12 year life of the car.  I'd hate to 
have a working emergency brake, only to have problems related to the driveshaft!

B)I'm thinking of getting out MR. Dremel and cutting the adjustment rod from 
the INSIDE of the car, sliding it through the boot and replacing it with a new 
one. I don't, however, know how it attaches to the actual handle.  Does anyone 
know?  Is this a removable piece?  If so, I think that's my easiest angle...


Ideas, comments, heck..even flames welcomed.

-Dave

I swear, one day I'm going to work down the list of things to do so that all I 
have is to worry about is the cosmetics of the car!



There are two ways to live life.
I choose to no longer live in fear.