Ebrake shoe replacement
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Ebrake shoe replacement
2001 C5 manual stock...
My rear brake pads were quite worn, so I decided to replace them, turn the rotors, and while I had it apart, replace the parking brake shoes. In Massachusetts the parking brake has to hold the car from moving with clutch engaged to pass inspection. Anyhow, ordered the parts, started doing it, and am now stuck trying to install the new parking brake shoes. There is a spring clip inside it that holds it in place, and it is supposed to catch onto 2 'hooks' that are part of the backing plate. But with the wheel hub in place, I can't reach them to get them engaged properly. Spent an hour so far with a couple of small screwdrivers and a paint paddle trying to coerce them to catch, no success.
Anybody know how to get that damn spring clip back in place properly? I removed the old one by just prying it out, but can't seem to 'pry' the new one back in.
Also, the adjustment is all the way in, but doing a trial fit of the rotor without the spring clip in place, it seems like the rotor doesn't quite fit over the new parking brake shoes.
Advice?
thanks,
My rear brake pads were quite worn, so I decided to replace them, turn the rotors, and while I had it apart, replace the parking brake shoes. In Massachusetts the parking brake has to hold the car from moving with clutch engaged to pass inspection. Anyhow, ordered the parts, started doing it, and am now stuck trying to install the new parking brake shoes. There is a spring clip inside it that holds it in place, and it is supposed to catch onto 2 'hooks' that are part of the backing plate. But with the wheel hub in place, I can't reach them to get them engaged properly. Spent an hour so far with a couple of small screwdrivers and a paint paddle trying to coerce them to catch, no success.
Anybody know how to get that damn spring clip back in place properly? I removed the old one by just prying it out, but can't seem to 'pry' the new one back in.
Also, the adjustment is all the way in, but doing a trial fit of the rotor without the spring clip in place, it seems like the rotor doesn't quite fit over the new parking brake shoes.
Advice?
thanks,
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 854
From: MI
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Here is a photo with the backing plate removed. 
Also, this tool is very helpful in adjusting the shoes to drum clearance, I got the adjustment on the first attempt, E-Brake very firm holding at 4 clicks on the handle. Get this tool cheap on fleebay....
KD Tools (KD 3377)
Brake Resetting Gauge
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 782
Likes: 45
From: Toronto Ontario
spm2001,
did you wear the linings out?? The adjuster gives you quite a bit of lattitude for setting the brake up. Assuming the you don't regularly drive with it on or have lots of actual emergancies, it should be mint, no?
did you wear the linings out?? The adjuster gives you quite a bit of lattitude for setting the brake up. Assuming the you don't regularly drive with it on or have lots of actual emergancies, it should be mint, no?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
how to remove hub?
thanks
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Not warn; pre-emptive
The existing shoes are probably about half gone, I have ~78K on this daily driver. I usually replace additional parts that aren't too expensive and are routine wear parts when I have to take something apart. Mistake in this case; probably should have just adjusted it. I didn't take the second one off yet, probably won't.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 545
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC
There are 3 torx bolts holding the hub in place. You have to drop the lower ball joint in order to get to the bottom torx bolt. They are T-55's if I remember correctly. The other two are no problem. Dont forget to unplug the wheel sensor before pulling the hub.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
Should the E-Brakes Pads be replaced?
.... Just wondering - should the E-brake pads be replaced at all ?!!! I mean, how many of us really use the E-brake enough to wear out it's pads; it's supposed to be used in emergency situations only! We mainly use it when we park the car, to keep it from rolling...that shouldn't wear out the pads..no ??? Just wondering, it it needs only adjustment.
... then again, I'm learning... so not sure!
... then again, I'm learning... so not sure!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 764
Likes: 0
From: felton de
Brake shoes
You can do this from the front but you need a pair of small hemostats and a good light. It has two anchors points for the retaining wire, and if you shift the shoe around you can push the wire under the clips on one side and then shift it again to the other side . GM charges 220.. in labor for this job
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 753
Likes: 2
From: Denville NJ
In filddling with my shoes to try and get a firmer bite with the ebrake, I freaked out when the inner spring came off its mount!
I managed to get it back together first by making a v notch in an old medium sized flat screwdriver. With that, some patience and a decent light you can do it! Damm if I was going to start pulling the hub off! Good luck!
I managed to get it back together first by making a v notch in an old medium sized flat screwdriver. With that, some patience and a decent light you can do it! Damm if I was going to start pulling the hub off! Good luck!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
Question: Do you really NEED to 'replace' the shoes? Or can you simply adjust the E-brake? Reason I'm asking again is because I don't understand why we 'have to' change shoes, since they don't really wear off that much. My E-brake clicks ALL the way up now, it wasn't so before. So, I think it needs to be adjusted. I don't think shoes are worn.... or are they? 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
.... Just wondering - should the E-brake pads be replaced at all ?!!! I mean, how many of us really use the E-brake enough to wear out it's pads; it's supposed to be used in emergency situations only! We mainly use it when we park the car, to keep it from rolling...that shouldn't wear out the pads..no ??? Just wondering, it it needs only adjustment.
... then again, I'm learning... so not sure!
... then again, I'm learning... so not sure!
There is no reason to EVER replace the E brake shoes unless something is broken.
I have never used my E brake in my Vette...I couldnt even tell you if it even works....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 953
Likes: 4
From: Guelph Ontario
Try this zip tie trick, worked for me. Just takes a bit of patience.
http://www.smokinvette.com/corvettef...d.php?p=341488
http://www.smokinvette.com/corvettef...d.php?p=341488
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,773
Likes: 66
From: SoCal
PO on mine must of drove the car with the e-brake on. My e-brake pads were shot. Replaced them, but did not take off the hub. Took some time but was able to put the new ones on with a couple of screwdrivers.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 1
From: Inland Empire CA
St. Jude Donor '10
Mine looked new when I recently replaced rotors with drilled/slottted, and installed the ceramic pads. It was easy to adjust, hold the button in on the handle, pul it up and down 5 or 6 times, and youre done!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 3
From: KADS- If it has wings or an engine, I can break it. Dallas TX
Two long thin screwdrivers and some patience. Bottom front clip 1st, then the top. Be sure your pads a tight against the backing plate, bend the legs on the clip inward if neccesary. If the pads are not held tight against the backing plate, they will rattle going over bumps.
After you do it 3 or 4 times, its real easy.
After you do it 3 or 4 times, its real easy.
