My 02 SE hand brake is rubbish. I have adjusted it, changed the rotors to vented, put new pads in, and it still wont lock on gravel, or hold easily on a very steep hill. Plus, my brakes fade quickly on heavy braking. i have bleed the brakes.
Help please.

 

Check your rear calipers to see if they are frozen. Change pads to Hawk HPS. Make sure there is no play in the brake handle.

 

you have a frozen caliper or you might need to tighten your ebrake craken. It's 10mm bolt in the ebrake cover.

 

..have some one pull the e-brake while u lay under the car and watch the rear calipers.... you should see exactly where the ebrake pulls on the caliper and see it tighten.. ..this might help you troubleshot more..

..is the ebrake 'tight' to pull.. or does it go like 5 clicks b4 any tension is there...

also.. good way to see if u have a frozen caliper- if u smell a burning smell while driving.. or after driving like 5 10 minutes.. if u have ALOT of heat comming from one rear wheel that = frozen caliper..

 

All good suggestions, there is no slack in the e brake before tension, but it is not tight to the floor.
I have never noticed any unusual heat or smells. I'm going to get under it this weekend, then I'll get under the car.