Strange Parking Brake Issue..
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
Strange Parking Brake Issue..
Guys,
She's a 6 speed and recently started experiencing an inconsistent problem with my parking brake. You can pull up on her and she grabs and hold fine, then release and pull up and no more tension (just clicks all the way up)and doesn't hold. You can try pulling it up again and again, same problem, gripping nothing.. Then it magically works and holds fine again after so much time..
Any help guys would be appreciated..
Raz
She's a 6 speed and recently started experiencing an inconsistent problem with my parking brake. You can pull up on her and she grabs and hold fine, then release and pull up and no more tension (just clicks all the way up)and doesn't hold. You can try pulling it up again and again, same problem, gripping nothing.. Then it magically works and holds fine again after so much time..
Any help guys would be appreciated..
Raz
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
First time that happened to me, dealer replaced/ and adjusted the cable; worked fine for a couple years afterward.
Problem has returned, but have made another 'discovery'.
Given the way the handle/seat is arranged, you naturally pull up and to the left.
Try pulling up and pushing right/toward the passenger seat.
Using that method, works every time.
Problem has returned, but have made another 'discovery'.
Given the way the handle/seat is arranged, you naturally pull up and to the left.
Try pulling up and pushing right/toward the passenger seat.
Using that method, works every time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 544
From: Appleton WI
I just fixed mine a couple of weeks ago. It took longer to access the lever mechanism than it did to fix. There is a ratcheting piece that isn't engaging likely due to some corrosion. It is located on the driver's side of the handle. I put some graphite on it and it now works perfectly.
You might not need to remove the seat and center console to access. I'll take a look tonight if I remember.
Pulling to one side or the other is a bandaid fix which worked for me BTW but the real fix could be as simple as getting lubrication to the right component.
You might not need to remove the seat and center console to access. I'll take a look tonight if I remember.
Pulling to one side or the other is a bandaid fix which worked for me BTW but the real fix could be as simple as getting lubrication to the right component.
Last edited by 3sACROWD; Apr 7, 2016 at 03:43 PM. Reason: Clarified which side of the lever
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 544
From: Appleton WI
Check out this thread. It shows the area of concern on the lever.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...hand+brake+fix
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...hand+brake+fix
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
I just fixed mine a couple of weeks ago. It took longer to access the lever mechanism than it did to fix. There is a ratcheting piece that isn't engaging likely due to some corrosion. It is located on the driver's side of the handle. I put some graphite on it and it now works perfectly..
Raz
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 544
From: Appleton WI
I took a look and there is some disassembly required. The good news is it isn't difficult, just a little time consuming.
My thought was you might be able to move the boot on the handle a bit to get a tube down to the offending ratchet then spray some lubricant. After looking at it and thinking, it isn't very feasible and would be messy. I used a dry graphite powder to free the mechanism.
You may be able to gain access just by removing the center console. If not, the passenger seat is only another 4 bolts. I had a friend helping with disassembly / reassembly of the parking brake so I wasn't paying close attention to the details.
You can fast forward through about 75% of the article I referenced to get to the part about the parking brake handle. He started adjustment at the rear wheels. Good overall read though
My thought was you might be able to move the boot on the handle a bit to get a tube down to the offending ratchet then spray some lubricant. After looking at it and thinking, it isn't very feasible and would be messy. I used a dry graphite powder to free the mechanism.
You may be able to gain access just by removing the center console. If not, the passenger seat is only another 4 bolts. I had a friend helping with disassembly / reassembly of the parking brake so I wasn't paying close attention to the details.
You can fast forward through about 75% of the article I referenced to get to the part about the parking brake handle. He started adjustment at the rear wheels. Good overall read though
Last edited by 3sACROWD; Apr 8, 2016 at 08:54 AM.
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 420
Likes: 24
From: Newton, Wisconsin
I had a similar problem and followed the thread above. It turned out that there is a small 1/8" diameter or so rod that goes from the button down to the cam. It needed to be rebent slightly to get the proper movement. It took some playing around to get it right but a lot cheaper than a new e-brake assembly.