Parking Brake question
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From: Topsham Maine
Parking Brake question
Okay, so here's the thing...went to get my 98 inspected. No problem, for a 98, low mileage second hand show car, ya? When I pulled up on the parking brake handle (engine off) it just went to the 12 oclock or so position with no resistance. Needless to say, it was a "no pass". I never use the p brake in vettes from past experience. (I burned out the lining "once" on my '69, not a fun thing to replace) I pulled the center console to check the cable to handle connection (it seemed the place to start since it was so loose), but can't see where the cable is hooked on. I CAN see the cable and she's not moving when I pull up. Since I don't have my manual yet, is this as easy as pulling the passenger seat to access the connector, or is there something I might be missing. I Don't want to pull the seat if I don't have to. But if ("when" is more like it) I do pull the seat, is there any hidden dragons waiting to bite me? I await the collective knowledge of the many vette guru's out there.
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From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Do hear a ratcheting noise as you pull up on the handle or is it free wheeling? If it has no resistance as you stated, then I dont think adjusting the rear will help. If I recall correctly, you should be able to reconnect the cable from the console area. Hopefully someone who has experienced this will chime in....good luck!
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From: Topsham Maine
Hey WWK888..Howzit? (retired from the USN, 4 years in Barbers Point, just before they closed the base) Yep, it rachets fine, it appears to not be connected to the handle. Could the rear adjustment be so far out as to offer no resistance and no cable movement visable from the handle? (I'm looking at the cable itself, not the outside cover) And again, any help is greatly appreciated...pulling that seats gonna be a buggah!
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From: AKA Harvey Mushman-I know just enough to be dangerous "Those who sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither"- B. Franklin
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Where the hell is Patches when you need him? 
He's probably got a 5 page tutorial with instructions,3D pictures, and animation. He can probably squeeze 5 RWHP out of a E brake cut out mod too.
He's probably got a 5 page tutorial with instructions,3D pictures, and animation. He can probably squeeze 5 RWHP out of a E brake cut out mod too.
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
"...you just have to take off the rear wheels and rotors calipers and caliper brackets..then you have to expand the star adjuster so the drum drags on the shoes when the go on.."
Got this from another great member ... Hope it helps.
Got this from another great member ... Hope it helps.
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Originally Posted by madeouttaglass
Where the hell is Patches when you need him? He's probably got a 5 page tutorial with instructions,3D pictures, and animation. He can probably squeeze 5 RWHP out of a E brake cut out mod too.
He's probably got a 5 page tutorial with instructions,3D pictures, and animation. He can probably squeeze 5 RWHP out of a E brake cut out mod too.
You're right. I can send you the procedure to attach or replace your ebrake cable if you email me at edbon@adelphia.net. To adjust the ebrake shoes in the rear, take off the wheels, calipers and rotors to get to the shoes and tighten the star gear adjuster to where the shoes drag slightly on the rotor and then back off just a hair.
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Originally Posted by Patches
You're right. I can send you the procedure to attach or replace your ebrake cable if you email me at edbon@adelphia.net. To adjust the ebrake shoes in the rear, take off the wheels, calipers and rotors to get to the shoes and tighten the star gear adjuster to where the shoes drag slightly on the rotor and then back off just a hair.Corvette Stories
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Le Mans Master
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From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Originally Posted by Wild BillD
Hey WWK888..Howzit? (retired from the USN, 4 years in Barbers Point, just before they closed the base) Yep, it rachets fine, it appears to not be connected to the handle. Could the rear adjustment be so far out as to offer no resistance and no cable movement visable from the handle? (I'm looking at the cable itself, not the outside cover) And again, any help is greatly appreciated...pulling that seats gonna be a buggah!
Damn, you went from one extreme to the other (Hawaii to Maine). Hope all is well....Aloha!
Bill
Burning Brakes
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From: Colorado
Originally Posted by Patches
You're right. I can send you the procedure to attach or replace your ebrake cable if you email me at edbon@adelphia.net. To adjust the ebrake shoes in the rear, take off the wheels, calipers and rotors to get to the shoes and tighten the star gear adjuster to where the shoes drag slightly on the rotor and then back off just a hair.
How the hell do you have pictures of everything like that? I am so impressed everytime you post!!!!! 
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From: AKA Harvey Mushman-I know just enough to be dangerous "Those who sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither"- B. Franklin
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Originally Posted by BAND1T
How the hell do you have pictures of everything like that? I am so impressed everytime you post!!!!! 
You're a sick man Ed.
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Wild Bill and WW8. I too am retired Navy! 26 yrs, FTCS (SS) from Groton Navy base. There are a sh!% ton of us military guys on the forum! 
You can look on the back of the wheel backing plate and have someone pull up on the E brake lever, You should see the metal attachment that pulls the cam lever move, which will tell you that the E brake handle, actuator assembly and cables are in tact and operating
If you adjust your rear parking brake shoes, sometimes the spring that fits in between the two shoes pops out and it is a REAL BITCH to get back in the correct way. If it pops out, make sure that you put it back in properly!! The spring is sort of "U" shaped and has bent areas where it fits into the backing plate and on the shoes. The spring holds the shoes against the backing plate and keeps them from moving out and scraping against the rotor.
If you have problems. PLEASE ask for assistance.
There are a sh!% ton of us military guys on the forum! You can look on the back of the wheel backing plate and have someone pull up on the E brake lever, You should see the metal attachment that pulls the cam lever move, which will tell you that the E brake handle, actuator assembly and cables are in tact and operating
If you adjust your rear parking brake shoes, sometimes the spring that fits in between the two shoes pops out and it is a REAL BITCH to get back in the correct way. If it pops out, make sure that you put it back in properly!! The spring is sort of "U" shaped and has bent areas where it fits into the backing plate and on the shoes. The spring holds the shoes against the backing plate and keeps them from moving out and scraping against the rotor.
If you have problems. PLEASE ask for assistance.
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From: Oswego NY
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just a heads up.....mine was doing the same thing, but it wasn't the rear that needed to be adjusted. It was the handle mechanism itself that wasn't working. I would hear the ratchet sound, but the part on the handle that is supposed to catch the gear wasn't catching. It was all gummed up with the grease they used at the factory. After i cleaned it all out, it worked like a champ
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From: Topsham Maine
Once again, I bow to the knowledge of the forum! Thanks for all the help, as soon as the weekend is over (Football, kid obligations etc.) I'll have time to put the know how to work. (I'll let you all know how she comes out) Till then, I guess I'll have to survive driving the wifes car. (red '69 vert) That is if it's not too cold and she lets me. And to you salty dogs out there...I retired from "U2" in 98, ATCS aircrew on P-3s. Aloha to all you Wizards!
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From: Anthony TX
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St. Jude Donor '08
Wild BillD
My last underway unit was USS Miam, SSN-755. I served on SSBN-617, 624 and 635! Looks like your the master of the skys and I am the master of the seas!
Terrorist dont stand a chance!
U2,,,,, VERY COOL!!!
Bill C
My last underway unit was USS Miam, SSN-755. I served on SSBN-617, 624 and 635! Looks like your the master of the skys and I am the master of the seas!
Terrorist dont stand a chance!
U2,,,,, VERY COOL!!!
Bill C