Mine is the same way. Holds great in reverse only.
1981 Parking Break HELP
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Fort Drum New York
1981 Parking Break HELP
trying to get my 81 to pass inspection, parking break wont hold. the handle seems to have tension, seems to be adjusted right, but it wont ho the car in drive. the odd part, it holds great in reverse. we took off the rotors and the parking break shoes look good, lots of material left. any ideas?? 
ps, i know i spelled brake wrong, dont bother pointing that out :p
-Bob
ps, i know i spelled brake wrong, dont bother pointing that out :p
-Bob
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
It should hold, I would look at inside of rotor. Make sure it's not glazed. Somtimes people drive with it on and did not realize it. If glazed sand inside of hub. With rear end up in the air and hand brake just appiled 1 or two notches make sure you hear the pads grabbing. Pull handle up more till you can't turn wheel. You should have 4 or 5 more notches to go.
Check both sides the same way. The adjustment underneath will tighten left and right equally. Each wheel has it own adjustment, so both grab at the same time. It takes a while to get it right, but like anything, when you get it right, you'll know it.
Hope this helps
Check both sides the same way. The adjustment underneath will tighten left and right equally. Each wheel has it own adjustment, so both grab at the same time. It takes a while to get it right, but like anything, when you get it right, you'll know it.
Hope this helps
Last edited by spedaleden; Feb 15, 2010 at 08:49 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Fort Drum New York
Lots more work, no progress.
Thanks SPEDALEDEN. Sounded like a good way to adjust the parking brake. So far I have replaced the pads, although the old ones looked good, and had the rotors turned. Unfortunately, the machine shop didn't have a tool small enough to turn the center drum. I scuffed the drum until it looks sufficiently rough. Then I replaced the parking brake pads (no small task). Next adjusted the wheel adjustment very tight (until I couldn't turn the little wheel adjuster anymore with a screwdriver). Pulled the parking brake handle on hard and.....the car still crawls forward at any power above idle. In reverse it holds tight. It's getting a little frustrating!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
Thanks SPEDALEDEN. Sounded like a good way to adjust the parking brake. So far I have replaced the pads, although the old ones looked good, and had the rotors turned. Unfortunately, the machine shop didn't have a tool small enough to turn the center drum. I scuffed the drum until it looks sufficiently rough. Then I replaced the parking brake pads (no small task). Next adjusted the wheel adjustment very tight (until I couldn't turn the little wheel adjuster anymore with a screwdriver). Pulled the parking brake handle on hard and.....the car still crawls forward at any power above idle. In reverse it holds tight. It's getting a little frustrating!
Parking brake will only hold at idle. Remeber the size of the pads on a corvette VS regular brake drum pads. Much more surface to grab!
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