Adjusting Parking Brake
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 110
Likes: 1
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
Adjusting Parking Brake
I have a '98 MN6 convertible. My issue is that the parking brake isn't really working anymore. If you park the car on a slight hill, leave it in neutral, and set the emergency brake the car will still role. The only way to get the brake to set is to really stomp on the brakes and immediately pull the lever up almost as far as you can.
The dealer wanted almost 300 to "adjust the parking brake" but I'm hoping it is something I can do myself. I have the 1998 C5 factory manuals (the 3-volume set) but couldn't figure out exactly what I needed to do.
I figure it isn't that safe to not have the emergency brake and also figure the car won't pass VA inspection until it works. Any thoughts, suggestions, advice? Is this something I can do myself or should I just give up and take it to the dealer?
Thanks in advance.
The dealer wanted almost 300 to "adjust the parking brake" but I'm hoping it is something I can do myself. I have the 1998 C5 factory manuals (the 3-volume set) but couldn't figure out exactly what I needed to do.
I figure it isn't that safe to not have the emergency brake and also figure the car won't pass VA inspection until it works. Any thoughts, suggestions, advice? Is this something I can do myself or should I just give up and take it to the dealer?
Thanks in advance.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 610
Likes: 1
From: Bluffton SC
Put the car in reverse and accelerate to about 10 - 15mph. Pull up on the handbrake to stop the car. Do this about 10 - 15 times and your parking brake should be adjusted. Each time you do this your adjuster should move one click tighter.
If this doesn't work you will need to pull the back wheels and adjust the emergency brake shoes with the knurled ****. No big deal unless your rotors are rusted onto the hub.
If this doesn't work you will need to pull the back wheels and adjust the emergency brake shoes with the knurled ****. No big deal unless your rotors are rusted onto the hub.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 470
Likes: 8
From: Northwest Washington
Do a search, Evil Twin has the best write up on this. It's the only way to do it. In one of ET's most recent threads, Patches had posted some good pictures of the adjuster with rotor removed. Worked for me!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Originally Posted by 914eener
Put the car in reverse and accelerate to about 10 - 15mph. Pull up on the handbrake to stop the car. Do this about 10 - 15 times and your parking brake should be adjusted. Each time you do this your adjuster should move one click tighter.
If this doesn't work you will need to pull the back wheels and adjust the emergency brake shoes with the knurled ****. No big deal unless your rotors are rusted onto the hub.
If this doesn't work you will need to pull the back wheels and adjust the emergency brake shoes with the knurled ****. No big deal unless your rotors are rusted onto the hub.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 470
Likes: 8
From: Northwest Washington
Finally found post with picture, this should help.
See post #5
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...visual+for+you
See post #5
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...visual+for+you
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 896
Likes: 1
From: Ewing NJ
The "rolling back" adjustment works fine; however if I'm parking on an incline that seems a little too steep, I also put the transmission reverse just to be safe. I think the owners manual recommends that also.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Originally Posted by Frozenfire
The "rolling back" adjustment works fine; however if I'm parking on an incline that seems a little too steep, I also put the transmission reverse just to be safe. I think the owners manual recommends that also.
