DIY - Parking Brake Exploration
#1
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jul 2007
Location: Louisville Kentucky
Posts: 4,333
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
4 Posts
DIY - Parking Brake Exploration
Okay, here's the scenario.
You attempt to remove your rear rotors and the suckers are stuck. You bang on them with your big hammer, wiggling them as you try to pull them off but they just barely budge. Your patience is really being tested as it is not comfortable being bent over that long trying to do something that is not that complicated (removing the rear rotors). They are working themselves free but they just won't come off. Finally, you get good and worked up and start yanking at the rotor. You're all huffin' and a puffin' but those darn things finally yank free. You look at what is still attached to the car and this is what you see:
Yep, you did it wrong.
I did too which is why I know know how the parking brake assembly now works. I have to admit, "learning by screw up" is not a technique that I suggest anyone subscribe to!
Now there are 2 ways to do this. The "by the manual" way and the "you got to have the patience of a saint" method. The latter does not require any parts removal but requires you to fish the spring behind the wheel hub. I lasted all of 30 minutes before I crapped on that method and just took the entire assembly apart. It helped that I was doing a output shaft seal repair so most of my rear end was already disassembled. I believe Jason (JDMVette) did a write up on the shortcut technique but I can't seem to find it. I bet he'll chime in later on down this thread.
Now I'm going to do this a little different than the norm because this will actually serve multiple purposes. I'm going to assemble the parking brake from total breakdown. This way, you'll see what it takes to assemble it and this may assist in your repair if you have to reattach that spring. So, as my main man and former Marine Mills Lane would say, "Let's get it on!"
Here's the way it's put together.
First, the stabilizer with nothing but the upper control arm attached.
The next thing that you add is the dust plate, the parking brake actuator assembly, the parking cable bracket and bolts. The bolts that hold the actuator assembly onto the dust plate also hold the dust plate onto the stabilizer.
Next, install the parking brake shoes. You'll have to grab them with both hands and spread them apart to get them attached to the actuator. It also helps to have the actuator adjusted down to its smallest width.
Next, add that blasted spring...
Now you're ready to add the wheel hub. The wheel hub has part of the the wheel speed sensor for the traction control attached to it. Here a picture of it (special thanks to Randy aka BlackSedan87 for correctly identifying that part. ):
...and here's the wheel hub in place.
Here's the backside of the stabilizer showing the 3 bolts that hold the wheel hub in place. These can be removed using a Torx 55 socket bit. I had to go buy this bit to remove the hub. Thanks to Randy for saving me a trip into the garage to identify it!
Now here's the kicker! If you remove the center nut that holds the shaft in the stabilizer and then remove the 3 hub bolts, you should be able to pull the hub out of the stabilizer. FAT CHANCE AND GOOD LUCK!
That's why I'm not calling this a fix. This will give you some idea what's holding the parking brake together and maybe assist you in coming up with a method to resolve your issue.
There is one very important minor detail that I did learn that would have kept this whole situation from happening from the get go. Before removing your rotors, work the parking brake a bunch of times to free the parking brake shoes from the rotors. This is in the manual Had I bothered to read the manual before fooling with the rotors, I wouldn't have had to go through all this nonsense! Since you're reading this now, neither will you!
If you end up deciding to pull the shaft, you'll probably want to check out this thread.
Last of all, here are the instructions for adjusting your parking brake.
Have fun boys and girls!
The Junkman
You attempt to remove your rear rotors and the suckers are stuck. You bang on them with your big hammer, wiggling them as you try to pull them off but they just barely budge. Your patience is really being tested as it is not comfortable being bent over that long trying to do something that is not that complicated (removing the rear rotors). They are working themselves free but they just won't come off. Finally, you get good and worked up and start yanking at the rotor. You're all huffin' and a puffin' but those darn things finally yank free. You look at what is still attached to the car and this is what you see:
Yep, you did it wrong.
I did too which is why I know know how the parking brake assembly now works. I have to admit, "learning by screw up" is not a technique that I suggest anyone subscribe to!
Now there are 2 ways to do this. The "by the manual" way and the "you got to have the patience of a saint" method. The latter does not require any parts removal but requires you to fish the spring behind the wheel hub. I lasted all of 30 minutes before I crapped on that method and just took the entire assembly apart. It helped that I was doing a output shaft seal repair so most of my rear end was already disassembled. I believe Jason (JDMVette) did a write up on the shortcut technique but I can't seem to find it. I bet he'll chime in later on down this thread.
Now I'm going to do this a little different than the norm because this will actually serve multiple purposes. I'm going to assemble the parking brake from total breakdown. This way, you'll see what it takes to assemble it and this may assist in your repair if you have to reattach that spring. So, as my main man and former Marine Mills Lane would say, "Let's get it on!"
Here's the way it's put together.
First, the stabilizer with nothing but the upper control arm attached.
The next thing that you add is the dust plate, the parking brake actuator assembly, the parking cable bracket and bolts. The bolts that hold the actuator assembly onto the dust plate also hold the dust plate onto the stabilizer.
Next, install the parking brake shoes. You'll have to grab them with both hands and spread them apart to get them attached to the actuator. It also helps to have the actuator adjusted down to its smallest width.
Next, add that blasted spring...
Now you're ready to add the wheel hub. The wheel hub has part of the the wheel speed sensor for the traction control attached to it. Here a picture of it (special thanks to Randy aka BlackSedan87 for correctly identifying that part. ):
...and here's the wheel hub in place.
Here's the backside of the stabilizer showing the 3 bolts that hold the wheel hub in place. These can be removed using a Torx 55 socket bit. I had to go buy this bit to remove the hub. Thanks to Randy for saving me a trip into the garage to identify it!
Now here's the kicker! If you remove the center nut that holds the shaft in the stabilizer and then remove the 3 hub bolts, you should be able to pull the hub out of the stabilizer. FAT CHANCE AND GOOD LUCK!
That's why I'm not calling this a fix. This will give you some idea what's holding the parking brake together and maybe assist you in coming up with a method to resolve your issue.
There is one very important minor detail that I did learn that would have kept this whole situation from happening from the get go. Before removing your rotors, work the parking brake a bunch of times to free the parking brake shoes from the rotors. This is in the manual Had I bothered to read the manual before fooling with the rotors, I wouldn't have had to go through all this nonsense! Since you're reading this now, neither will you!
If you end up deciding to pull the shaft, you'll probably want to check out this thread.
Last of all, here are the instructions for adjusting your parking brake.
Have fun boys and girls!
The Junkman
Last edited by Junkman2008; 04-22-2008 at 03:48 PM.
#2
Race Director
I'm facing replacing the wheel bearing/hub assembly this week and even though I'm going to be working on the front - your pics will sure help.
One more thing - that reference you made to a special socket to remove the hub assembly...I believe it is a T55 Torx.
#3
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jul 2007
Location: Louisville Kentucky
Posts: 4,333
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
4 Posts
Nice write-up A.J.! One thing though - the sensor that you identify as the "tire pressure sensor" - isn't that the wheel speed sensor for the traction control?
I'm facing replacing the wheel bearing/hub assembly this week and even though I'm going to be working on the front - your pics will sure help.
One more thing - that reference you made to a special socket to remove the hub assembly...I believe it is a T55 Torx.
I'm facing replacing the wheel bearing/hub assembly this week and even though I'm going to be working on the front - your pics will sure help.
One more thing - that reference you made to a special socket to remove the hub assembly...I believe it is a T55 Torx.
#4
Administrator
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
Posts: 343,020
Received 19,307 Likes
on
13,978 Posts
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-
'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Excellent write up. These type of posts really help out the forum members.
#5
Team Owner
Member Since: May 1999
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 22,830
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes
on
9 Posts
CI 3-4, 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
The spring and shoe are fairly easy to re-install.
I did a write up on it but evidently a lot of C5 folks either have no sense of humor or it zoomed right by.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1955752
On the other hand no one was crazy enough to try and order one.
I did a write up on it but evidently a lot of C5 folks either have no sense of humor or it zoomed right by.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1955752
On the other hand no one was crazy enough to try and order one.
#6
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jul 2007
Location: Louisville Kentucky
Posts: 4,333
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
4 Posts
The spring and shoe are fairly easy to re-install.
I did a write up on it but evidently a lot of C5 folks either have no sense of humor or it zoomed right by.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1955752
On the other hand no one was crazy enough to try and order one.
I did a write up on it but evidently a lot of C5 folks either have no sense of humor or it zoomed right by.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1955752
On the other hand no one was crazy enough to try and order one.
#9
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Aug 2002
Location: Ellisville MO
Posts: 3,025
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CI 4-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Excellent write-up. I really like how you put pictures in your posts. I really believe that pictures are worth a thousand words...
Thanks for sharing with everyone.
Thanks for sharing with everyone.
#10
Le Mans Master
Haha, this would have helped a couple of years ago. After adjusting my parking brake, I had inadvertantly tightened it too much, and when I tried to remove the rotor, B-O-I-N-G, damn spring popped off. I used the "patience of a saint" method which took about 30 mintues a day for 3 days because I would get so frustrated. Finally got it back on, but this probably would have saved me time and frustration! Thanks for the writeup and pics.
#12
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jul 2007
Location: Louisville Kentucky
Posts: 4,333
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
4 Posts
Haha, this would have helped a couple of years ago. After adjusting my parking brake, I had inadvertantly tightened it too much, and when I tried to remove the rotor, B-O-I-N-G, damn spring popped off. I used the "patience of a saint" method which took about 30 mintues a day for 3 days because I would get so frustrated. Finally got it back on, but this probably would have saved me time and frustration! Thanks for the writeup and pics.
I couldn't stand it. I tried and I tried and I got frustrated quick so I said screw this. My patience when it comes to working on cars is VERY low. It has drastically improved since finding the Corvette Forum but that's only because there are guys who pass out laughing at your question and then jump back in their computer chairs and shoot you an answer!
Three days, man you sound like me!
#13
Le Mans Master
Member Since: May 2007
Location: hagerstown md
Posts: 5,383
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Another great write up AJ! You are definately da man when it comes to write ups with pics.
Here's a tip for anybody going with the "SAINT" method. Get the biggest flathead screwdriver you can find, and either file or dremmel a "V" shaped notch in the end of it. Make sure you make the notch deep enough that the spring fits inside the notch. You can then use this to push the spring in place in less than the time it takes to have a pizza delivered. Ask me how I know this little trick.
Here's a tip for anybody going with the "SAINT" method. Get the biggest flathead screwdriver you can find, and either file or dremmel a "V" shaped notch in the end of it. Make sure you make the notch deep enough that the spring fits inside the notch. You can then use this to push the spring in place in less than the time it takes to have a pizza delivered. Ask me how I know this little trick.
#15
Advanced
I can see how old these posts are, but my problem is new. My parking brake just quit on me, I was not working on the rear rotors or anything else. I was just driving the car as usual and went to use the parking brake, but it was now limp like an old man. Do I have to re-attach some springs or cables???
#16
Melting Slicks
Pictures are indeed worth a thousand words...if they're attached to the thread and not hosted on a inaccessable external site.
#17
Advanced
Thanks again.
#20
Drifting
I can see how old these posts are, but my problem is new. My parking brake just quit on me, I was not working on the rear rotors or anything else. I was just driving the car as usual and went to use the parking brake, but it was now limp like an old man. Do I have to re-attach some springs or cables???
PM sent...