We all do. We all also have drum parking brakes inside the rear rotors.
Emergency Brake Problem ????????
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Ballston Spa New York
Emergency Brake Problem ????????
I own a 75 C3 model and slowly work on it as needed.
Thank God it is in great shape! However, I have a problem with the E-Brake and can't quite figure it out ?!?!?!?!?!
All the pads (4 wheel discs) are 90%. I have adjusted the E-Brake cable under the car to the max.
The E-Brake works fine when the vehicles transmission is placed in REVERSE, but I have no E-Brake of any kind when in forward gear.
I have not worked on the brakes other than pull the wheels to examine the pads.
So, has the previous owner when installing new pads switched something out in reassembling and reinstalled parts on the wrong rotor assemblies?
Also, sometimes I have a spongy brake when first driving the vehicle on some days, but as the wheels heat up with mileage, this symptom disappears usually. Is it time to start thinking about replacing the master cylinder, or must I drain all the brake fluid I added to top of the reservoir, not knowing the type it had in it at the time. I added a synthetic formula of brake fluid to what was presently in it.
All responses are appreciated. Thanks, Oz
Thank God it is in great shape! However, I have a problem with the E-Brake and can't quite figure it out ?!?!?!?!?!
All the pads (4 wheel discs) are 90%. I have adjusted the E-Brake cable under the car to the max.
The E-Brake works fine when the vehicles transmission is placed in REVERSE, but I have no E-Brake of any kind when in forward gear.
I have not worked on the brakes other than pull the wheels to examine the pads.
So, has the previous owner when installing new pads switched something out in reassembling and reinstalled parts on the wrong rotor assemblies?
Also, sometimes I have a spongy brake when first driving the vehicle on some days, but as the wheels heat up with mileage, this symptom disappears usually. Is it time to start thinking about replacing the master cylinder, or must I drain all the brake fluid I added to top of the reservoir, not knowing the type it had in it at the time. I added a synthetic formula of brake fluid to what was presently in it.
All responses are appreciated. Thanks, Oz
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
The ebrake has nothing to do with the pads. The ebrake is a small drum brake inside the rear wheel rotor. Chances are they are shot. The are not easy to do so most people do not bother with them. With drum brakes there is a star wheel inside the rotor housing tha tmay need adjustment. The drum brake pads rarely wear out. They usually rust out because they are just steel. Someone might have a good picture if it so you can see it all.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Well mine is just the opposite. It holds really well forward like it should and I can easily make it roll in reverse with the ebrake on. I feel it drag but ir goes easily. Maybe the shoes are just worn. You need to get into them and see how they look and do some adjusting.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 406
Likes: 1
From: Maroochydore QLD
Hi there,
They usually work well in reverse and not forward because the shoes pivot from the top (adjusters at the bottom) and in reverse this forces the shoes to move outwards and lock up. If you have a e-brake that works in both directions on a C3 then you have a miracle, I think in simple terms the cars are just too heavy for the size of the drums they used. Oh and by the way, if you think you can just whip a drum off for a quick look, think again, they have 5 sizeable rivets in the drums that need to be drilled out to get access, these rivets are like an appendix, they serve no purpose and dont need to be replaced, they were put there to aid the assembly line production and give mechanics a headache. put a brick under your wheel if you live on a hill and go and have a beer.
Cheers, Dennis.
They usually work well in reverse and not forward because the shoes pivot from the top (adjusters at the bottom) and in reverse this forces the shoes to move outwards and lock up. If you have a e-brake that works in both directions on a C3 then you have a miracle, I think in simple terms the cars are just too heavy for the size of the drums they used. Oh and by the way, if you think you can just whip a drum off for a quick look, think again, they have 5 sizeable rivets in the drums that need to be drilled out to get access, these rivets are like an appendix, they serve no purpose and dont need to be replaced, they were put there to aid the assembly line production and give mechanics a headache. put a brick under your wheel if you live on a hill and go and have a beer.
Cheers, Dennis.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
These ebrakes never work, not for long if they EVER DO.....if you need pass inspection what you essentially have to do is tighten the cable till the car barely runs, then drive about a block to the inspection station, pass inspection, then around the corner again you relax the cable....
I did that on my '87 at a Faryland inspection station for resale....
I did that on my '87 at a Faryland inspection station for resale....
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From: Butler Pa
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
Mine were rebuilt a few years ago while I had everything apart to replace TAs, half shafts, etc. The springs on both side were broken. I forgot to adjust them back then and went until a few weeks ago without after I had an "incident" caused by non-op parking brake that someone else didn't know about. If you have a manual trans, I highly recommend you get the parking brake fixed.
There is an adjustment "wheel" inside the parking brake drum that you move with a screwdriver a notch at a time. Any shop or repair manual will explain the adjustment. If you don't have a shop or repair manual yet, start by getting one.
