Emergency brake doesn't work 86
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
Emergency brake doesn't work 86
When I pull up the e brake handle it just comes right up, no clicking sound ,no resistance, and the handle will just go back down to the floor. I have no experience with e brakes, what should I be checking or looking for. Is it a connection in the handle or a connection back at the drum in the wheel? Is this a complicated system? I have been driving the car like this for months which is probably not the greatest idea. I have replaced the master cylinder, front rotors and pads and put in steel brake lines up front. I would hate to pay a garage to fix this if I can do it myself but I don't know what I am doing. I know I did all the other brake parts correctly but it still freaks me out a bit when I am tearing down the highway without an e brake and the knowledge that I am the in-experienced, rookie wrench who put in the brakes that I do have. also, on my control panel the BRAKES sign is always lit up. How do I clear that if and when I fix the problem? Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,383
Likes: 4
It is either the ratcheting mechinism or a break in the cables.
You will have to diagnos a bit further.
If you were to move the hadle while holding the cable under the car you'd know for sure.
The cables are hard to come by. But they can be made up out of generic parts. The Lever and the ratcheting bit are always available from the catalogs new or from the recyclers like Vette2Vette.
The brake light is likely being lit by the contacts being closed inside the e-brake hadle housing.
You will have to diagnos a bit further.
If you were to move the hadle while holding the cable under the car you'd know for sure.
The cables are hard to come by. But they can be made up out of generic parts. The Lever and the ratcheting bit are always available from the catalogs new or from the recyclers like Vette2Vette.
The brake light is likely being lit by the contacts being closed inside the e-brake hadle housing.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
It is either the ratcheting mechinism or a break in the cables.
You will have to diagnos a bit further.
If you were to move the hadle while holding the cable under the car you'd know for sure.
The cables are hard to come by. But they can be made up out of generic parts. The Lever and the ratcheting bit are always available from the catalogs new or from the recyclers like Vette2Vette.
The brake light is likely being lit by the contacts being closed inside the e-brake hadle housing.
You will have to diagnos a bit further.
If you were to move the hadle while holding the cable under the car you'd know for sure.
The cables are hard to come by. But they can be made up out of generic parts. The Lever and the ratcheting bit are always available from the catalogs new or from the recyclers like Vette2Vette.
The brake light is likely being lit by the contacts being closed inside the e-brake hadle housing.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,314
Likes: 245
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Climb under and have a look to see if there any breaks in the cables. If all looks good, have someone pull the handle and watch the cables. If that's all working, adjust them per the FSM.
http://members.shaw.ca/agent86/Parki...Adjustment.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/agent86/Parki...Adjustment.pdf
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 199
Likes: 1
From: Asheboro NC
my E brake was doing the same thing. I just pulled the cover off of the mechanism beside the seat and sprayed it with wd 40 while pulling the brake up and down until the button released and started working again. took about 8 minutes. to get the cover completely off you need to take the seat out but just set the seat all the way back and take out the top screw and pry the top of the cover back some and spray a little and work the brake while pressing and releasing the button.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,383
Likes: 4
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
The E brake mechanism is all mechanical and actually pretty simple. Put the car on jackstands, crawl underneath and have someone pull up on the handle. The cable is easily seen underneath the car. See if it moves. If it does, follow it to the back wheels and see if the linkage there moves. If it does, adjust the cable as previously suggested. If that doesn't do it, the shoes can be adjusted. If that doesn't do it, check the shoes, they may be worn out. If the cable doesn't move at all, it is probably disconnected from the handle. Look and see what's going on.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
The E brake mechanism is all mechanical and actually pretty simple. Put the car on jackstands, crawl underneath and have someone pull up on the handle. The cable is easily seen underneath the car. See if it moves. If it does, follow it to the back wheels and see if the linkage there moves. If it does, adjust the cable as previously suggested. If that doesn't do it, the shoes can be adjusted. If that doesn't do it, check the shoes, they may be worn out. If the cable doesn't move at all, it is probably disconnected from the handle. Look and see what's going on.
very simple set up.
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,588
Likes: 10
From: North New Jersey
If the brake works when you pull it up, and your problems is the fact that it wont stay engaged when you release it, 99% of the time a little WD40 will do the trick. Just take off the ebrake cover and spray some wd40 onto the moving parts until you get the ratcheting sound and you brake stays engaged
That was my problem about a month ago, and thanks to these fine forum members it was easily resolved and now the parking brake works great!
That was my problem about a month ago, and thanks to these fine forum members it was easily resolved and now the parking brake works great!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
Thanks for all the replies. As usual the knowledge here is incredible. I would not be able to own this car without the help from all of you forum members, it would be way to expensive. I am a bit laid up from back surgery now so jacking up the car and really getting into it is a bit tough. I will post the outcome as soon as I can. I was just about ready to bring it too a garage and get hosed but it sounds like I can manage this. Thanks again everyone, have a great holiday. also, I finally figured out how to get pics into my album so check them out if you get a chance so you can see where all your advice has led.-E
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 593
Likes: 28
From: Wakefield MA
I'm new to the C4, my "new to me" 1986 Z51/4+3 got delivered yesterday, I need to adjust my parking brake as my driveway in pretty sloped - the link to the adjustment procedure above is not working, any other pointers?
Thanks
Dave
74 L82 Covertible (sold)
67 Plymouth GTX
86 Z51 Coupe, 4+3, 63k miles, original everything
Thanks
Dave
74 L82 Covertible (sold)
67 Plymouth GTX
86 Z51 Coupe, 4+3, 63k miles, original everything
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 593
Likes: 28
From: Wakefield MA
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 182
Likes: 1
From: Greenville SC
I had the same problem with my 84 I bought back in September, and the fix was simple: the cable had slipped off the lever/actuator coming out of the brak drum. Put it back on and that was that. Holds very tight. Dave
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
I'm new to the C4, my "new to me" 1986 Z51/4+3 got delivered yesterday, I need to adjust my parking brake as my driveway in pretty sloped - the link to the adjustment procedure above is not working, any other pointers?
Thanks
Dave
74 L82 Covertible (sold)
67 Plymouth GTX
86 Z51 Coupe, 4+3, 63k miles, original everything
Thanks
Dave
74 L82 Covertible (sold)
67 Plymouth GTX
86 Z51 Coupe, 4+3, 63k miles, original everything
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,314
Likes: 245
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 593
Likes: 28
From: Wakefield MA
I'll post some pics of my "new" C4 on an intro post as a newbie to the group, I've been a member over on the C3 side for a couple years with my old L82 'vert... don't want to hijack the thread... see ya!
Dave C
74 L82 'Vert (sold)
67 Plymouth GTX
86 Z51/4+3 Coupe (Original, 63k miles)
Dave C
74 L82 'Vert (sold)
67 Plymouth GTX
86 Z51/4+3 Coupe (Original, 63k miles)
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
KenV-
69 Roadrunner was the best year ever. Those inward canted tail lights - wow!
Check out this week's Autoweek. Featured article on Don Prudhomme's '70 Cuda HotWheels funny car.
He's still got it - completely redone as it was. He found and restored the original transporter as well. I just saw it on JayLeno's Garage website, and here it is again in Autoweek. Thought you'd appreciate it as a Mopar person from back in the day.
69 Roadrunner was the best year ever. Those inward canted tail lights - wow!
Check out this week's Autoweek. Featured article on Don Prudhomme's '70 Cuda HotWheels funny car.
He's still got it - completely redone as it was. He found and restored the original transporter as well. I just saw it on JayLeno's Garage website, and here it is again in Autoweek. Thought you'd appreciate it as a Mopar person from back in the day.
