My emergency brake works great in reverse but not at all in forward.So I replaced all brakes and shoes over winter and still working same way.What is cause and fixing to this.

 

Is your E-brake handle tight, aka does it tighten up before it's near the end of travel? When you replaced the shoes, did you follow the proper procedure for adjusting the star wheel? If you want to tighten the handle up, sit in the car with it not running (but in gear so it doesn't role). Cycle the E-brake handle on and of 3-5 times in a row back to back. That will tighten the cable assemble to the proper tension. There is an automatic adjuster in the cable assembly under the car that you adjust by doing this. Once this is done, you can self adjust the star wheel in the drum by going in reverse at 3-5 mph and pulling relatively hard up on the E-brake to stop the car. This "should" apply force in the reverse direction to the star wheel enough so that it self adjusts as well. You may need to do this a couple times before noticing a difference. With each attempt, you will only click the star wheel one click. If this doesn't seem to help, you'll need to pull the rotor off and adjust said star wheel manually. The reverse method I described seems to be hit or miss for some people. When adjusting the star wheel (pushing the static location of the shoes outward toward the rotor hub) you want to have them set so that the rotor is fairly difficult to get back on, but is still able to be easily spun by hand. Getting that adjustment right can be challenging.

Definitely start with the E-brake handle adjustment first as it is the easiest. That in itself may fix your problem. If it doesn't, then move to the next step I described. If all of the above fails to work, you'll probably be left with pulling everything apart behind the wheels to inspect for proper assembly. The system as a whole is quite simple so hopefully you can track down the issue pretty quick!

 

I will try it tonight.Thank you!

 

There is No automatic star adjuster on a C5 Corvette. There are two issue. One the Ebrake cable, the other is the interfit of the monoshoe with the diameter of the drum.
The ebake slack can be taken out, but the shoe has to be close enough to the drum ID to cause the monoshoe to flex torque. So doing this should be done second.

The only way to adjust the monoshoe is to manually do it. ( no auto-adjusting blade on a C5 emergency brake system. ) you have to remove the rear rotors to do this, ( Tire, caliber, caliber bracket, rotor ) it is going to take around 30 to 40 click to get the mono shoe close enough to the drum. You can measure the OD of the shoe and the ID of the drum but few people have the instruments to do this.. so you can only use the rotor fit over the shoe to determine this fit.
You can not adjust the monoshoe too tight. ( if too tight you wont be able to get the rotor back on ) adjust the monoshoe until the rotor goes on tightly. The tighter the fit, the better. Once this is done, you can then adjust the ebrake cable slack. In order to do this the car has to be rolling in reverse. when you pull up on the ebrake handle the mono shoe will torque, as it does, the cable will adjust.. you can only do this 4 or five times.. It only takes out the cable slack.. it does noting for the actual shoe engagement.

Good luck, BTW the Caliber bracket bolts will require some heat because they are factory red loctited.

You said you replaced all the brakes and shoes ( does this include the monoshoe ? ) did you put the cable back correctly... its a very difficult job. there is very little room to put the springs and cable back and the 1/4 inch piston rod … easily lost in swapping out a monoshoe. I developed a zip tie method to refit the monoshoe. If you actually did this job, then you would know there is no star adjusting blade on a C5 brake system. IM trying to help you not criticize you.

If you did a search on this subject you would find my write up on this process several times over my 18 years here. And the positive effects of my proceedure.
Good Luck
Bill aka ET

Be careful who you listen to here on the corvette forum, not everyone gives accurate information.

 

BTW, since both the monoshoe and the brake drum are concentric. whether you are in reverse or a forward gear, there is no direct connection between the transmission and the brake system. Also the ebrake is supposed to be used when the car is stopped. IM guessing that you have a MN6 transmission and the low ratio of reverse is holding your car, not the ebrake.


I know a few things because I have seen a few things.

 

Listen to Bill. He knows a lot more then me!

 

Its easy to assume the C5 brake system is like any other brake system, with an auto adjust blade like 90 % of the cars out there. Unfortunately the C5 is not one of them. I know you were trying to help the OP. You would not be the first to offer similar information. Hopefully you will keep that desire to help others going.
Bill aka ET

 

I definitely will! In cases like this, I just learn something along the way. I don’t want to be the one misleading folks. Thank you for letting me down gently with your correction .

 

I have been told that I am a wondaful human being and a credit to my parents. You will find many here who will argue that point, Most of them wont tell you that I am living in their head 24/7, but other members have noted it to be true.. They seem obsessed with my input here and take every opportunity to try to refute it.. Not sure of their motivation but many friends find their obsession to be extremely entertaining. The topic of may Private messages to me.

I tell people all the time to be careful who they listen to , because there is a fair amount of mis information found here. Many Newbe's come here thinking everyone here is an expert. There are plenty of qualified people here to help with anything C5 related, the trick is to find the credible ones who actually know something about this car. Over my years here I have found many who come here are clueless, but after a few years, they find the right people to glean advice, and start participating in helping others.

I fully understood your motivation to help... wanting to help is a very positive thing.. hang on to that , it has always served me well. Even those who's heads I live in here, bring me joy...

Bill aka ET

 

Car is automatic and holds strong in reverse and almost nothing when put in drive.Thx for all the replies I got tied up and will work on it over next week.

 

Transmission has nothing to do with the ebrake system.

 

He thinks it’s in reverse but it’s really in park. Lol

 

I'm guessing the op is not that mechanically inclined, I could be wrong, and if so I apologize.. the OP did say he replaced all the shoes and pads etc... if you ever attempted a monoshoe replacement, on a C5 its a difficulty level 7/8 out of a possible 10. without factory specific tools, yet he says he did it.. So I'm not sure I /we are getting accurate information. When some one tells me the Ebrake in their C5 works in conjunction with the transmission , that's really my que to stop posting in that thread.

I could be dead tomorrow, I would better serve the community in another thread.

Bill aka ET

 

the A4 locking paw can seem to keep the car from moving. Funny how Park works.in a C5 A4

 

I am a mechanic and don’t need remarks like that!i am a ford guy for most part excpecially seeing they didn’t take a bail out and didn’t pay it back !I also have a 78 silver anniversary that e brake doesn’t work! Was looking for positive feedback.Not smart as come backs!

 

I was responding to previous message of standard transmission.Iwanted to be clear I had automatic that’s all.

 

Please erase this thread

 

Is there anyway I can get back the 15 minutes of my life that I wasted in this thread trying to help this guy. At my age and health condition, I could certainly use that 15 minutes. Dont really have too many of those minutes left.
Bill aka ET

 

I have a lot of confidence in evil twin's judgement. He has given me good advice about an exhaust system for my C5. He has probable forgotten more than most people will ever know.

 

Stupid question - how strong is the E-brake?

I tested it once: at low speed, (< 5 mph) I shifted into neutral (6 speed) and while coasting, pulled the E-brake handle. The car only reluctantly slowed down.