Emergency Brake Handle
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Twin Lake Mi
Emergency Brake Handle
On our 1970 Vette, I'm having an intermitent problem with getting the emergency brake handle to release. It seems to work fine when I get home with the car. I have pulled the counsel cover off and couldn't find anything unusual. I'm curious as to how to remove the pistol grip itself. Maybe there is something going on here. When I try to release the handle, it sort fights my effort to bring it back down. It's almost like the pressing of the button is not releasing in the mechanism. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
Lift slightly on the handle as you push down on the button and keep the button depressed as you move the handle downward. If you have the console off, then also apply a light coating of white lithium (or any kind) grease to the moving parts. If that doesn't cure it, you may have something hanging up in the cable itself. This is a pretty straight forward and simple system so it should be something quite obvious. Also, if you still have the insulation/padding under your console, be sure that isn't interfereing with the movement of the pawl on the teeth of the arch (the ratchet mechanism).
