Early C4 Parking brake.
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 76
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From: Whitman MA
Early C4 Parking brake.
My 87's parking brakes do not work. The lever pulls up all the way, and doesn't grab. Upon further inspection, I found the left side cable was removed from the lever at the wheel. It seems the lever is frozen. I am about to disassemble the rear brakes. Anybody have any experience they can share regarding this job? Hints or tips would be appreciated.
Thanks
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The 87 uses a drum-style parking brake that is inside the rotor "hat". It sounds like something in the assembly is either rusted or broken.
Remove the caliper and the caliper abutment bracket, then pull the rotor off. That exposes the small drum brake shoes and the components. Look for any broken or rusted parts and replace as necessary. It would be a good idea to get new brakes shoes and the component pieces.
When you get everything workings, put the rotor on and replace the bracket. The two bolts are tightened to 70 ft-lbs. You can re-use the existing bolts; just clean the threads of the old threadlocker using a wire brush. Use Loctite Blue on the bolts.
The two small bolts that hold the caliper to the bracket can also be re-used; clean, apply some Blue Loctite and tighten the upper bolt to about 25-ft-lbs and the lower bolt to 17-ft-lbs.
Remove the caliper and the caliper abutment bracket, then pull the rotor off. That exposes the small drum brake shoes and the components. Look for any broken or rusted parts and replace as necessary. It would be a good idea to get new brakes shoes and the component pieces.
When you get everything workings, put the rotor on and replace the bracket. The two bolts are tightened to 70 ft-lbs. You can re-use the existing bolts; just clean the threads of the old threadlocker using a wire brush. Use Loctite Blue on the bolts.
The two small bolts that hold the caliper to the bracket can also be re-used; clean, apply some Blue Loctite and tighten the upper bolt to about 25-ft-lbs and the lower bolt to 17-ft-lbs.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
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From: Boston, MA
I recently replaced my parking brake hardware with stainless steel parts. Both of my levers were frozen and that required me to unbolt the wheel bearing and pull them outward about one inch to have enough clearance. If they were not frozen I probably could have gotten the levers out without doing that.
If you have to take the bearings out like me then you will need a 36mm socket, a T-55 torx, and possibly a new cotterpin.
If you have to take the bearings out like me then you will need a 36mm socket, a T-55 torx, and possibly a new cotterpin.
