Emergency Brake replacement
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Clayton, NC, USA
Emergency Brake replacement
I'm sure it's been posted on here before so if anyone knows where, please give me the thread location, OR, ya'll can just offer your wonderful and most experienced insight. I want to replace all the emergency parking brake components, but I want to do it without removing the spindle. Can it be done. Looks pretty tight in there. I have replaced the bearing on both spindles so they have been out before but I really don't want to take them out again. So, if anyone can give me there "war stories" on how to replace the E-brake components with the spindle in place, it would be greatly appreciated. :D
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,635
Likes: 0
From: Union Ontario
Re: Emergency Brake replacement (Nag78)
With patience and time, it can be done with the spindle on. Took mine apart and put back to gether thisspring it took me about 2 hours a side to put back together. Oh yeah it helps if you have the proper tools too.
Good luck, and don't forget to adjust it when you are done.
Good luck, and don't forget to adjust it when you are done.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Clayton, NC, USA
Re: Emergency Brake replacement (MikeC)
Thank you. I have the tools I need. I even have my trusty blow torch for those hard to get off nuts and bolts :D Just teasing..I would never think to get near my baby with a torch. Now my truck, thats another story. That sucker has been under "the knife" many times. :jester
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Emergency Brake replacement (Nag78)
By any other name that job is still a pain in the butt.....
I recommend a vette brakes stainless HARDWARE/spring set....and NOT to use stainless shoes, stock iron ones are the way to go....don'lt ask me how I know this....
not that having them work is worth doing except for a silly safety exam....
they can't hold the car on any kind of hill....
GENE
I recommend a vette brakes stainless HARDWARE/spring set....and NOT to use stainless shoes, stock iron ones are the way to go....don'lt ask me how I know this....
not that having them work is worth doing except for a silly safety exam....
they can't hold the car on any kind of hill....
GENE
Racer
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: florida
Re: Emergency Brake replacement (Nag78)
I did mine without removing the spindal. Left side took a couple hours to figure out the right tools. ( needle nose is a must) :smash: The other side took about a 1/2 hour. So it does get better the second time. :D lou
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
Re: Emergency Brake replacement (Nag78)
Check out "1967 - 1982 Park Brake Rebuild" at http://www.zip-corvette.com/techniclfs.htm and, http://rowleycorvette.com/corvette_repair.html (there's what looks to be a great tip about the retaining springs at this one).
This is definitely one of the biggest PITA jobs I've ever had to do. The spring trick listed above may have helped. I didn't see that article until after I did mine and that was one of the hardest things to do. The only other problem I ran into with mine was that the two piece levers were pretty much rusted solid, so I had to dremel cut them out.
I also went with a SS kit from Zip. Pricey, but I'm glad I did, if it means I should never have to mess with the parking brakes again.
Good Luck. Plan on some time to walk away from the job when you feel like throwing a wrench :yesnod:
[Modified by jerryp58, 7:09 AM 11/24/2001]
This is definitely one of the biggest PITA jobs I've ever had to do. The spring trick listed above may have helped. I didn't see that article until after I did mine and that was one of the hardest things to do. The only other problem I ran into with mine was that the two piece levers were pretty much rusted solid, so I had to dremel cut them out.
I also went with a SS kit from Zip. Pricey, but I'm glad I did, if it means I should never have to mess with the parking brakes again.
Good Luck. Plan on some time to walk away from the job when you feel like throwing a wrench :yesnod:
[Modified by jerryp58, 7:09 AM 11/24/2001]
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,453
Likes: 461
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Re: Emergency Brake replacement (Nag78)
As the others have said, go with the stainless components. Seems as if the original steel pieces just rust together and just "dissolve". Have taken three cars apart only to see "broken bits and pieces" laying, flopping around the rotor as the car was being driven until I took it apart. One other tricky area is to get the retaining pin, spring and retaining cup washer together through the shoe with the spindle there in the way. Can be done, but have patience. Also, I'd "loosen up" all the way or even disconnect the handle cable where it attaches to your "cross-cable'(wheel to wheel one). You need to be able to "pull" that cable to hook it up to that "swivel" or "clevis" piece. It is a PITA, but once it's done with the right pieces and time, you should'nt have to do it again. :yesnod:
Racer
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
From: Kristiansand
Re: Emergency Brake replacement (Nag78)
On the subject, are the emergency brakes on the vette really supposed to work..??
I have adjusted min as tight as possible, but still the brakes cannot even hold the car in a hill, not to speak of stopping it in an emergency...
Any tricks involved in getting them to work?
I have adjusted min as tight as possible, but still the brakes cannot even hold the car in a hill, not to speak of stopping it in an emergency...
Any tricks involved in getting them to work?
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: florida
Re: Emergency Brake replacement (Ingar, Norway)
If the internal arms are frozen, it won't matter how tight the cable is. Stainless rebuild kit is the only way to go. Did mine 3 years ago and it still works like a charm. All your doing is stretching the cables. lou
