What have I done ?

[Gullible]

Removed centre console, now handbrake does not ratchet:confused:

The button stays in when pushed, can be pulled out again but not with your fingers as it is too stiff.

No obvious loose or missing bits everything re-assembed as I've done before but this time handbrake does not work. Any suggestions?

[clubagreenie]

Ahh yes. Went through this a few weeks ago.

If you've pulled the handle up and the pawl has been forced back against teeth and bent the shaft up the centre of the handle. Pull the button off (twist and pull it's only glued). You'll see a washer like thing pressed onto the shaft that keeps it centred. Mine was bent, and you could see from the end which way. Grabbed with vice grips and bent back. The "washer" stops it from just moving around too much. Get it as centred as possible but don't play too much. There's bugger all clearance for the button.