Are C3 handbrakes useless ??
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 1
From: Milford Haven Pembrokeshire
Are C3 handbrakes useless ??
Took the car for its MOT today - everything OK apart from the handbrake.
Went home and did the full monty - spent 3 hours on it.
Brakes start to come on about 1/3 of the way up - but are not good
enough for a steep hill.
Is this normal.???
Went home and did the full monty - spent 3 hours on it.
Brakes start to come on about 1/3 of the way up - but are not good
enough for a steep hill.
Is this normal.???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
LOL, pretty much it is.
It takes quite a bit of tweeking to get the park brake to work decent. It needs to be adjusted in close, so with the handle down, the shoes just clear the rotors
It takes quite a bit of tweeking to get the park brake to work decent. It needs to be adjusted in close, so with the handle down, the shoes just clear the rotors
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 3,986
From: Connecticut, USA
That sums it up pretty good. I don't even bother with them on my cars even though I rebuilt all the arms and they have SS parts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
All three of my C-3 'Vettes have very good parking brakes. Make sure the shoes are G.M. originals, as I have no joy with the S/S pieces. The rear cable needs to be lubed and free, as does the pulley wheel. Use it regularly, as this keeps the shoes bedded properly.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 465
Likes: 1
From: FRANCE (Lyon)
In France we must keep it! 
we have a test every 2 years!
they check severals point (pollution, lights, suspension,....) and emergency brake!
after a complet rebuild i just have 24% of efficacity (20% is the limit).
So the only thing i need to change is cable!! they seems to be longer than they must be!!!
so if all your system is ok and you still have a non-working e-brake check cable (at wheel side not handle)
just my 2€
we have a test every 2 years!
they check severals point (pollution, lights, suspension,....) and emergency brake!
after a complet rebuild i just have 24% of efficacity (20% is the limit).
So the only thing i need to change is cable!! they seems to be longer than they must be!!!
so if all your system is ok and you still have a non-working e-brake check cable (at wheel side not handle)
just my 2€
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 2
From: somewhere between heaven and hell WI
In France we must keep it!
we have a test every 2 years!
they check severals point (pollution, lights, suspension,....) and emergency brake!
after a complet rebuild i just have 24% of efficacity (20% is the limit).
So the only thing i need to change is cable!! they seems to be longer than they must be!!!
so if all your system is ok and you still have a non-working e-brake check cable (at wheel side not handle)
just my 2€
we have a test every 2 years!
they check severals point (pollution, lights, suspension,....) and emergency brake!
after a complet rebuild i just have 24% of efficacity (20% is the limit).
So the only thing i need to change is cable!! they seems to be longer than they must be!!!
so if all your system is ok and you still have a non-working e-brake check cable (at wheel side not handle)
just my 2€
WOW, I cant believe they test all that!!!
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Apparently, the adjustment on the parking brake is "touchy" and difficult to get just right. After putting on new shoes, some folks have resorted to taking the car on a run and...at about 30 mph...applying the parking brake to "wear-in" the shoes so that they fit really well. Note: BE SURE THAT YOU PRESS THE RELEASE BUTTON IN -- AND HOLD IT IN -- WHILE DOING THIS. You don't want to lock-up the car in a slide and not be able to release the park brake. Once worn-in, make final adjustments. There is also a very specific procedure that GM has for making this adjustment.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 22
From: Norwalk CT and Boynton Beach FL
I purchased my C3 in 1983, found how useless the parking brake was and haven't used it since. Now if I tried to use it I'm sure everything would lock up or the cable would just snap. I make good use of PARK in my auto trans
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
These are effective, low maintainence and probably weigh less.
http://www.sportys.com/acb/showdetl....product_id=950
http://www.sportys.com/acb/showdetl....product_id=950
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; May 2, 2007 at 03:40 AM.
I have a C3 also.
