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trying to fix my e-brake

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Old Mar 20, 2008 | 11:28 PM
  #1  
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Default trying to fix my e-brake

So my e-brake doesnt work for crap right now so I am trying to get the brakes off so I can get in there and adjust that **** on the drum behind the rotors, however the bolts that hold the caliper bracket on are ridiculously tight, I used my impact gun and still couldnt break them loose...any ideas guys?..cars at 25,770 miles on it. its a 1999 M6 too.
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Old Mar 20, 2008 | 11:48 PM
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I used a propane torch to heat the knuckle where they thread into...Then ran them off with the impact...Don't heat it for too long, maybe 20 seconds...
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Old Mar 20, 2008 | 11:51 PM
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You might try driving the car in reverse(slowly) and pulling the e-brake. I did it when I was having problems.
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Old Mar 21, 2008 | 12:08 AM
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No need to play with that ****...
Originally Posted by spiral04
You might try driving the car in reverse(slowly) and pulling the e-brake. I did it when I was having problems.
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Old Mar 21, 2008 | 11:42 AM
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Be sure to spray some penetrating grease on the bolt before trying to turn it. Use WD-40 or something.

In case you've never tried turning that gear/wheel thing for the E-brake, I was surprised how hard it was to turn. I think I ended up with a flat head screwdriver cranking on that thing.

However, once I was done, the e-brake now holds quite well. Something that it didn't do for the first 2 years that I owned it.
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Old Mar 21, 2008 | 05:20 PM
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Default get a LONG breaker bar

The large caliper bracket bolts are torqued to 125 ft #. I used a long 1/2" breaker bar and a pipe over that to get enough torque to remove the bolts. Then get a BIGGER hammer to break loose the rotors. While you have the calipers off its a good time to clean them and paint them with caliper paint. Did mine for about $12 using duplicolor brush on paint. Use several coats and they will look great. When reinstalling the bolts use RED Locktite as the original bolts have this on them. BIGHANK
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Old Mar 22, 2008 | 07:04 PM
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wrench and a BFH normally does the trick.
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Old Mar 22, 2008 | 08:07 PM
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forget it guys haha i passed inspection with it as it is.
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Old Mar 22, 2008 | 10:37 PM
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Mine didnt work either. Saved time,dropped it off at the dealer, got it back in an hour and works great now.
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Old Mar 23, 2008 | 07:12 PM
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it took a TON of whacks with a 3lb sledge hammer to get those bolts to break on mine. the effort was worth it though, because my ebrake works like a champ now.
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Old Mar 23, 2008 | 11:21 PM
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Originally Posted by spiral04
You might try driving the car in reverse(slowly) and pulling the e-brake. I did it when I was having problems.


Worked for me
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Old Mar 24, 2008 | 03:25 PM
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Default Will only work if the starwheels are ALMOST in adjustment

Originally Posted by ALLEGRO


Worked for me
If the starwheels are like a lot of them on the C5s pulling on the brake lever in reverse does NOTHING.
BTW GM doesn't call it an EMERGENCY BRAKE as it usually won't stop the car in an EMERGENCY. They call it a PARKING BRAKE. But if you live in SF or other place with some good hills WATCH IT. You should leave a stick in gear and with the A4 you are in PARK. BIGHANK
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Old Mar 24, 2008 | 06:34 PM
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I must be one of the lucky ones. I can can stop my car with it. and if I put it on and try to go backwards it takes a lot to get it moving.
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Old Mar 24, 2008 | 08:46 PM
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Might wanna get them off and check it out anyway. My sons GTO, which has the same style parking brake system, had one of those inside 1 piece shoes misaligned from the factory, and the metal part of it wore on the rotor enough that the rotor to be replaced.
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Old Mar 24, 2008 | 08:56 PM
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same thing happened to me, put my 1/2 inch rachet on it and a piece of wood on my jack and jacked it up till it broke free
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