Parking Brake Issue
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 19,691
Likes: 322
From: Alexandria VA
Parking Brake Issue
So a couple of weeks ago, my parking brake started acting funny. The lever would catch a little on the way down, I just sort of figited it for a little. Then about two weeks later, it completely died. My parking brakes work fine and engage fine (if I hold the lever up), however, the button on the end of the lever is protruding about an (additional) inch. When I pull up, the ratchet doesn't catch and as such, no parking brake 
. There seems to be a wire attached to the button which appears to have come disconnected, from what I don't know. Already took the console off and going back to the garge to take the seat out so I can remove the entire assembly. Anyone have any leads/suggestions on this? Thanks a bunch! 
. There seems to be a wire attached to the button which appears to have come disconnected, from what I don't know. Already took the console off and going back to the garge to take the seat out so I can remove the entire assembly. Anyone have any leads/suggestions on this? Thanks a bunch!
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 19,691
Likes: 322
From: Alexandria VA
To let everyone know, took it apart. What appears to have happened is there are two ratchets, one for the handle, another for the brake itself. For the ratchet for the handle, theres for the tooth that grabs in, theres a lever with a piece of circular metal on the other end. The button on the end of the handle has a wire attached, which in turn wraps around this circular piece of metal. The bent circular piece on the button wire seems to have 'un-circled' itself around, thus disabling the handle ratchet.
At this point, with the metal on the wire already stressed (and bound to un-circle itself) compounded by the fact its nearly impossible to get everything apart (as the assembly as welded together) its gonna be easier to just buy a new ebrake mechanism.
Joe
At this point, with the metal on the wire already stressed (and bound to un-circle itself) compounded by the fact its nearly impossible to get everything apart (as the assembly as welded together) its gonna be easier to just buy a new ebrake mechanism.
Joe
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
I think you need to service the parking brake lever.
Check out this Forum members web site for a DIY.
http://www.ronjpics.com/Corvettestuff.htm#parkbrakepawl
Check out this Forum members web site for a DIY.
http://www.ronjpics.com/Corvettestuff.htm#parkbrakepawl
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 19,691
Likes: 322
From: Alexandria VA
Thanks a bunch. The pawl itself moves freely, its the wire that wraps around the pawl, the one thats attached to the button. It seperated itself from the pawl, and considering theres about 0.125" to get anything in there to fix it, I'd rather buy a new/used one then cuss for 6 hours.
