E-Brake problem...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville NC
E-Brake problem...
Yes I am serious. I was told when I originally got my car that the ebrake had some kind of issue and not to use it. Well I recently had the car shipped and despite being told not to, the shipper pulled the ebrake and now it wont release. Does anybody here know how to get this thing to release again? The ebrake handle moves freely back and forth but it wont actually engage the mechanism anymore. I don't know if there's a schematic for the ebrake or anything but I have searched my service manual front and back several times and can't find a thing! The brake light is lit on and this is no good. I'm trying to get this beast to pass TX state inspection and one of the things they check is the ebrake so any help will be gretly appreciated! - Cooters
Last edited by CooterCatchinVette; Jul 27, 2009 at 11:39 AM. Reason: na
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Elkton MD
E brake release
The e brake (or parking brake) is normally released by pulling the handle up as far as it will go then push the button and lower the handle against the tension while holding the button in. If the parking brake was applied with great force, you will have to use great force (upward) to be able to release it with the button.
It's also possible that the mechanism is clogged with lint, dirt, etc. and a good shot of WD40 or the likes will flush out the dirt and permit the release to function.
The brake handle is loose when the brake is applied to permit lowering the handle out of the way with the brake on.
Hope this helps.
It's also possible that the mechanism is clogged with lint, dirt, etc. and a good shot of WD40 or the likes will flush out the dirt and permit the release to function.
The brake handle is loose when the brake is applied to permit lowering the handle out of the way with the brake on.
Hope this helps.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Halifax Nova Scotia
if the above post doesnt get you anywhere then you may have the same problem i had.
there is a pivot point on the levers at each rear wheel where the cable conects to... mine were completely seized up from a lack of use by the previous owner.
i had to dissasemble the park brake, remove the lever and use some heat and wd40 to burn off the rust, then i greased them up before reinstalling
this was on my 86
there is a pivot point on the levers at each rear wheel where the cable conects to... mine were completely seized up from a lack of use by the previous owner.
i had to dissasemble the park brake, remove the lever and use some heat and wd40 to burn off the rust, then i greased them up before reinstalling
this was on my 86
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville NC
Hmmm. The lever is rusted pretty good so i don't know if thats a sign of the same problem you had Jeff but it sounds like it. I just went outside and messed with it and noticed the lever doesn't actually even engage the mechanism at all! The lever moves up and down and when I let go of it, it just drops. There seems to be 2 points where the lever engages the mechanism so now I need to figure out how to reset the lever into the mchanism and hopefully then it will release again.
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 610
Likes: 1
The handle inside the car works kinda like the mechanism of a tie-down strap. It has a pawl that engages the thing that winds up the cable and holds it there until it is released. It may help to take the cover off and hit it with some penetrating oil.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 125
From: Dunstable MA
St. Jude Donor '05
if the above post doesnt get you anywhere then you may have the same problem i had.
there is a pivot point on the levers at each rear wheel where the cable conects to... mine were completely seized up from a lack of use by the previous owner.
i had to dissasemble the park brake, remove the lever and use some heat and wd40 to burn off the rust, then i greased them up before reinstalling
this was on my 86
there is a pivot point on the levers at each rear wheel where the cable conects to... mine were completely seized up from a lack of use by the previous owner.
i had to dissasemble the park brake, remove the lever and use some heat and wd40 to burn off the rust, then i greased them up before reinstalling
this was on my 86
Welcome to Corvette ownership.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Halifax Nova Scotia
i think i need to clarify which lever i was referring to in my case, not the hand lever , but the levers at each rear wheel that the cable ends pull on
see where they pivot? mine were rusted solid in place therefore not allowing the brake to apply and release properly
see where they pivot? mine were rusted solid in place therefore not allowing the brake to apply and release properly
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
88'+ have park brake on caliper; not shoes inside rotor as in 84 - 87 setup being discussed here.
I believe he will find when he gets things apart that the slack cable has allowed the park brake to go past the point where it will engage the pawl to release latching mech
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Take the cover off , the locking pawl is at the top and easy to get to with a big screwdriver to release the pawl. Possibly you are not getting enough travel in the button/rod to release it or the release pin on the end is bent and not engaging pawl properly
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville NC
Ok I apologize guys. I needed to clarify a few things better. I own a 1990 L98 Corvette. I've had it for 5 years but have been in the military and had to have it shipped to my new duty station. In the past I've replaced the water pump, fuel pump, and fuel injectors, so yes I understand these are beautiful yet pissy old vehicles! 
The problem with the ebrake is that for some reason the actual lever to engage/disengage is now detatched and swings free to the point where it can't hold itself up anymore. So the ebrake was engaged but now can't disengage. So I gather from what everyone has said I need to pull the rear driverside tire off and manually disengage the ebrake. And from there I need to reassemble the handle mechanism somehow. I was looking specifically for a schematic and couldn't find one in my million page 1990 Service Manual, but to my own stupidity, I found it in section 5-13, 5-14, and 5-15 under parking brake! I am going to go beat my head off a wall now. Thanks for alll your help guys! I will post pics when I clean this sucker up and get it back to functioning properly!
The problem with the ebrake is that for some reason the actual lever to engage/disengage is now detatched and swings free to the point where it can't hold itself up anymore. So the ebrake was engaged but now can't disengage. So I gather from what everyone has said I need to pull the rear driverside tire off and manually disengage the ebrake. And from there I need to reassemble the handle mechanism somehow. I was looking specifically for a schematic and couldn't find one in my million page 1990 Service Manual, but to my own stupidity, I found it in section 5-13, 5-14, and 5-15 under parking brake! I am going to go beat my head off a wall now. Thanks for alll your help guys! I will post pics when I clean this sucker up and get it back to functioning properly!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Elkton MD
Parking brake
That is so long as the button is releasing the pawl as described in other posts. Perhaps the button has inadequate travel as rodj suggests.
