Wonky-Jawed E-Brake
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Joined: Aug 2014
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Wonky-Jawed E-Brake
Hey guys. Just settling into my first C3; a manual '69 427/390.
Prior owner told me e-brake doesnt work. I thought no big deal; e-brake problems seem to be pretty common. Anyway, I started playing around with it and it turns out that it does work; with a twist. It sets up fine, but automatically disengages when the clutch is pressed. That's a new one to me. Any thoughts? This is also a new one for my mechanic and I know enough to be dangerous.
Thx
Prior owner told me e-brake doesnt work. I thought no big deal; e-brake problems seem to be pretty common. Anyway, I started playing around with it and it turns out that it does work; with a twist. It sets up fine, but automatically disengages when the clutch is pressed. That's a new one to me. Any thoughts? This is also a new one for my mechanic and I know enough to be dangerous.
Thx
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,103
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From: Chapel Hill NC
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I would closely inspect the clutch pedal/linkage inside and in the engine compartment to see if someone has altered anything.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,109
Likes: 4,170
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi c,
This is certainly an odd one since no part of the emergency brake system extends further forward than about 6"-8" in front of the e-brake handle in the car, (rear of transmission), and no part of the clutch system extends further back than the clutch fork, (front of bell housing),….. so about 30" apart.
There is a notched 'cam (?)' on the lever mechanism the handle's attached to that engages the brake… I'd began by looking there and also at the routing of the cable under the car.
The button on the end of the handle must be pushed for the brake to be released.
Regards,
Alan
This is certainly an odd one since no part of the emergency brake system extends further forward than about 6"-8" in front of the e-brake handle in the car, (rear of transmission), and no part of the clutch system extends further back than the clutch fork, (front of bell housing),….. so about 30" apart.
There is a notched 'cam (?)' on the lever mechanism the handle's attached to that engages the brake… I'd began by looking there and also at the routing of the cable under the car.
The button on the end of the handle must be pushed for the brake to be released.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Aug 21, 2015 at 06:52 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
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From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
Are you sure the brake is actually holding the car? By pressing in the clutch you stop the engine from holding the vehicle. I would suspect that the engine is what is doing the braking and the e brake is still not holding.
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Joined: Aug 2014
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Alan, thx for the input and pics.
Sigforty, I think you're right. I was rushing through it the first time, and didnt take my time in drawing the initial conclusion I drew.
I ran a few tests:
Flat surface with engine off in park (car in Reverse): car does not roll back/forth
Flat surface with engine off in Neutral and e-brake all the way up: hard to roll back and forth, but it does.
Downhill and then Uphill with engine off in park (in Reverse): car stays put; doesn't roll forward dowhill or backwards uphill.
Downhill and then Uphill with engine off in Neutral and e-brake all the way up: car easily rolls forward downhill and backwards uphill.
So I think I have a basic e-brake problem, and not something more complicated.
Sigforty, I think you're right. I was rushing through it the first time, and didnt take my time in drawing the initial conclusion I drew.
I ran a few tests:
Flat surface with engine off in park (car in Reverse): car does not roll back/forth
Flat surface with engine off in Neutral and e-brake all the way up: hard to roll back and forth, but it does.
Downhill and then Uphill with engine off in park (in Reverse): car stays put; doesn't roll forward dowhill or backwards uphill.
Downhill and then Uphill with engine off in Neutral and e-brake all the way up: car easily rolls forward downhill and backwards uphill.
So I think I have a basic e-brake problem, and not something more complicated.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
Likes: 5
From: Naperville Illinois
Hi c,
This is certainly an odd one since no part of the emergency brake system extends further forward than about 6"-8" in front of the e-brake handle in the car, (rear of transmission), and no part of the clutch system extends further back than the clutch fork, (front of bell housing),….. so about 30" apart.
There is a notched 'cam (?)' on the lever mechanism the handle's attached to that engages the brake… I'd began by looking there and also at the routing of the cable under the car.
The button on the end of the handle must be pushed for the brake to be released.
Regards,
Alan
This is certainly an odd one since no part of the emergency brake system extends further forward than about 6"-8" in front of the e-brake handle in the car, (rear of transmission), and no part of the clutch system extends further back than the clutch fork, (front of bell housing),….. so about 30" apart.
There is a notched 'cam (?)' on the lever mechanism the handle's attached to that engages the brake… I'd began by looking there and also at the routing of the cable under the car.
The button on the end of the handle must be pushed for the brake to be released.
Regards,
Alan
these pictures make me hate the underside of my car so much...
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