Ebrake Adjustment
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 307
Likes: 4
From: Thousand Oaks Calif.
Ebrake Adjustment
On my 81, trying to adjust my E-brake. Just replaced the trailing arms and e-brake setup and they are set fine.
The handle always pulled all the way up and was useless.
Under the car where the cables meet I tightened it up the nut till the wheels won't spin, then turned them back till they can spin. I can pull the e-brake about 6 clicks till its tight. It holds on a small hill but not a big one.
Here are my questions.
1) How many clicks does your e-brake go till its fully loaded? Not pulling like a crazy person, just comfortably tight.
2) Will it hold on a big hill or is mine behaving about right, small hills only?
The handle always pulled all the way up and was useless.
Under the car where the cables meet I tightened it up the nut till the wheels won't spin, then turned them back till they can spin. I can pull the e-brake about 6 clicks till its tight. It holds on a small hill but not a big one.
Here are my questions.
1) How many clicks does your e-brake go till its fully loaded? Not pulling like a crazy person, just comfortably tight.
2) Will it hold on a big hill or is mine behaving about right, small hills only?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,431
Likes: 1,562
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Hi and welcome
First you adjust the PB at the wheels by inserting a screwdriver and pulling UP on the handle until the wheel will not turn any more, then back off 6 to 8 clicks.
Then you make the final adjustment at the equalizer cable so that the handle holds the car in place at 14 clicks.
Then you make the final adjustment at the equalizer cable so that the handle holds the car in place at 14 clicks.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,335
Likes: 7,906
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
And try to keep in mind. This parking brake wasn't very well designed. It only holds just so well. steep hill. turn your wheels into the curb and leave it in first or reverse. or park if you have one of those cars.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
I adjust the c3 system similar to the C5. I will remove the rotor and adjust the brake shoes until I can barely slip the rotor over them. If you have older rotors you may need even more adjustment because there is a lip that makes getting the rotor on hard, but once over it there is a lot more space because the shoes have worn the rotor. One the shoes are all adjusted then look at adjusting the cables. This should get you a better holding parking brake as it should not take a lot of handle pull to get them engaged.
