Parking brake problems
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 302
Likes: 2
From: Milton Delaware
Parking brake problems
I HAVE A '73 VETTE AND OF COURSE THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD THE CAR. SO I TOOK THE REAR WHEELS OFF AND WAS GOING TO ADJUST THE ADJUSTERS. WELL, NO HOLE TO DO IT. I DRILLLED OUT ONE HOLE AND IT MUST BE SO RUSTY THAT THE ADJUSTER WOULD NOT TURN. FIGURED TO TRY ADJUSTING THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE UNDERNEATH AND WAS ABLE TO TIGHTEN IT UP.. STILL DID NOT HOLD THE CAR. THEN TRIED TO TAKE OFF CALIPER. NO GOOD THERE. GUESS I HAVE TO TAKE OFF ALL OF THE HYDRALIC BRAKE HOSE TO DO THIS, RIGHT? FOUND THAT A 12 POINT SOCKET WILL ONLY START TO STRIP THE BOLT HEAD. BOUGHT A 6 POINT AND SPRAYED THE BOLTS WITH STUFF. AS OF YET, WITHOUT TAKING OFF THE BRAKE LINES HAVE NOT MADE ANY PROGRESS. ANY OF YOU CAN GIVE ME SOME HELP?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,128
Likes: 4
From: Upland Ca
For the most part these emergency brakes are marginal at best. If your car is an auto I would shine it until you have another reason to remove the calipers and then pull the disks. Now, if you have a stick then you may need to do it now. As for the caliper bolts, they can be difficult. A good six point and a breaker bar will generally get them off. Sometimes a few raps on the housing and head of the bolt can help. If the calipers are not leaking I would not remove the line. You can get the caliper and disk of without removing the line. Hold the caliper from stretching the line with a piece of wire or coat hanger. Depending on how long those pads have been in there and how rusted they are it may be difficult to get the disk off. With the caliper and rotor off might be a good time for SS o-ring calipers, new rotors, pads, and rubber lines. You really only want to get in there once.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 14
From: Airdrie Alberta
They are a major pain to work on. On my 73 I rebuilt them while I was doing my trailing arms.
You should be able to get at the adjuster through the access hole in the hub/spindle
The problem with this job is you get into the "while I'm at it" and end up doing a full brake job
Easier when the spindle is out for access
mine is a driver so I just reused backing plates etc after sandblasting/painting
The inside of the rear rotor is like a brake drum, mine were so corroded i just replaced the rotors
You should be able to get at the adjuster through the access hole in the hub/spindle
The problem with this job is you get into the "while I'm at it" and end up doing a full brake job
Easier when the spindle is out for access
mine is a driver so I just reused backing plates etc after sandblasting/painting
The inside of the rear rotor is like a brake drum, mine were so corroded i just replaced the rotors
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,426
Likes: 1,559
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Insert the screwdriver in the hole and pull UP on the handle to tighten the shoes.
here's a how to: http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tech...e-rebuild.html
here's a how to: http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tech...e-rebuild.html
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