Hand Brake/E-Brake funk
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: AZLE TX
Hand Brake/E-Brake funk
When I first bought my car the hand brake worked very well then it started doing this works one minute then not the next crap. Basically it feels like nothing is there at all, then you can drive somewhere and try it again and it will work just fine.
Now when it does work if you sit down in the car or bump the car you hear a pop come from under the cup holder the handle doesn't move but the brake releases and the car can then roll away.
It actually did this with my daughter asleep in the car at a gas pump I left it running because it was cold and she was asleep and while I was out filling up the tank the dang thing tried to drive away.
Luckily another guy and his son also heard the pop and saw it start to roll because it took all three of us to stop it. I weight 250# and it just started dragging me right along with it.
So log story short has anyone run into this before? I really think the culprit is under the radio bezel somewhere but I have been working so much lately that I haven't had time to troubleshoot it.
Now when it does work if you sit down in the car or bump the car you hear a pop come from under the cup holder the handle doesn't move but the brake releases and the car can then roll away.
It actually did this with my daughter asleep in the car at a gas pump I left it running because it was cold and she was asleep and while I was out filling up the tank the dang thing tried to drive away.
Luckily another guy and his son also heard the pop and saw it start to roll because it took all three of us to stop it. I weight 250# and it just started dragging me right along with it.
So log story short has anyone run into this before? I really think the culprit is under the radio bezel somewhere but I have been working so much lately that I haven't had time to troubleshoot it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
Look at the brake handle mechanism, and make sure the ratchet mechanism is not sticking and is lubricated. If the pawl is not free, the brake may not lock in place like it should.
Look here
http://www.ronjpics.com/Corvettestuff.htm#parkbrakepawl
Look here
http://www.ronjpics.com/Corvettestuff.htm#parkbrakepawl
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Feb 5, 2009 at 08:43 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
100% Correct!! Clean and lube your hand brake mechanism with new lithum grease. IF,,the hand brake still doesnt hold correctly, you will need to remove the rear rotors and adjust the shoes (easy task)BC
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Look at the brake handle mechanism, and make sure the ratchet mechanism is not sticking and is lubricated. If the pawl is not free, the brake may not lock in place like it should.
Look here
http://www.ronjpics.com/Corvettestuff.htm#parkbrakepawl
Look here
http://www.ronjpics.com/Corvettestuff.htm#parkbrakepawl
ronjpics link covers both the pawl service and adjusting the rear parking brake pads.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,526
Likes: 20
From: Santa Fe TX
On older cars, you could adjust/set up the drum brakes by driving in reverse. Does this work on handbrake drums?
FWIW I adjusted mine when I had the rear rotors/brakes off, and it works great now. I may still go back and lube it with lith grease based on this thread though.
FWIW I adjusted mine when I had the rear rotors/brakes off, and it works great now. I may still go back and lube it with lith grease based on this thread though.
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Verdad Gallardo
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
On older cars, you could adjust/set up the drum brakes by driving in reverse. Does this work on handbrake drums?
FWIW I adjusted mine when I had the rear rotors/brakes off, and it works great now. I may still go back and lube it with lith grease based on this thread though.
FWIW I adjusted mine when I had the rear rotors/brakes off, and it works great now. I may still go back and lube it with lith grease based on this thread though.
C5 have NO provision to adjust the parking brake by backing up. You have to adjust it manualy
BC
