[BrendanP]

The rear handbrake actuator on my partner's 2011 FD seized up yet again, which was obvious to me when I drove it because there was very little resistance to pulling the handbrake lever, and it took 10 or 11 clicks to apply the brake instead of the usual 6 or 7 clicks. I asked at the dealer whether this part is available as a spare, but you can only buy it as part of the complete handbrake assembly for £185. This seems bizarre as it is a distinct separate part, and if it had been made out of stainless steel or adequately plated in the first place, it wouldn't seize anyway. It looks as though I just need to keep an eye on it and accept that it will need period strip-down and re-greasing.

A tip that the dealer gave me was to use an aluminium based anti-seize compound, rather than copper based one.