I am a relatively new C5 owner. I went to use the emergency brake the other day and it doesn't lock into place. It sounds and feels like it engages the brake when I pull it. However, it doesn't lock into place. Has anyone else experienced this issue? Do I just need to replace the lever mechanism?

 

It's not uncommon -- mine clicked and rolled when I bought it -- and you'll find it pretty easy with a Google search. The parking brakes are drums/shoes on the inside of the rear rotors. Adjustments are on both the shoes and the lever, with the lever supposedly auto-adjusting, but noted to have issues as it ages. Additionally, many of the cars apparently got out of the factory without any shoe adjustment. Complicated more because the shoes can't be adjusted with the rotor/drum on -- you have to remove the drum to adjust.

 

The rear parking brake might need adjustment but that is not the reason the brake handle is not locking in position. You need to remove the passenger seat to gain access to removing the handbrake assembly. Next you have to clean all the old original grease from the actuating assembly of the hand brake. You need to regrease the assembly with clean new grease, maybe silicone grease if you find it, reassemble and reinstall everything. The problem is the old grease gets stiff as it ages and prevents the handle assembly from working properly. It happened to me and it now has worked perfectly for years.

 

striper is right -- I miss-read the original post.

 

Thanks guys. I really appreciate the info. I am looking forward to getting this resolved.

 

Under the vinyl E-Brake boot/ cover on the main body of the handle mechanism, you will find a ratchet cam pawl.

The old factory grease is now more like putty. Remove all the old hard grease and relube the ratchet pawl and handle pivot. You should regain the ratchet feature and have an easier to operate E-Brake handle.

 

Jeff, I want to adjust mine so it holds better. I heard a lot has to be taken apart?

 

This may sound a little crude but with the correct size torx bit I for the life of me couldn't get the bolts holding the brake assembly to the hump undone so I used a couple of rags, ect with brake cleaner and was able to clean quite a bit of that old grease out then I used a small paint brush and dabbed the new grease back behind there were needed and for over a year now has been working perfect, brake always grabs traction on the cable,ect.

 

I think restoring functionality without breaking fasteners is finesse, not crude.

 

I don't remember if there was an adjustment in the handle assembly, but I think it's still worthwhile to regrease the handle assembly. It's actually a fairly easy job. The PITA job is taking off the rear brake hubs/drums and adjusting and putting the rear discs on and off until you can barely get them to slide back on. BTW, you have to remove the passenger seat to remove the brake handle assembly.








































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































et them to slide