Emergency Brake Issues
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 22,830
Likes: 13
From: Columbus Ohio
CI 3-4, 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
Your first post says it adjusts the brake, not the cable. Typo?
I took your reference to "manual" to mean the owners manual for the Service Manual.
I took your reference to "manual" to mean the owners manual for the Service Manual.
From the manual:
* Adjustments are not normally necessary after replacing the park brake lever or cables. The park brake is adjusted automatically by cycling the park brake lever three or four times.
* Never operate the park brake lever while the rotor is removed.
End Quote
* Adjustments are not normally necessary after replacing the park brake lever or cables. The park brake is adjusted automatically by cycling the park brake lever three or four times.
* Never operate the park brake lever while the rotor is removed.
End Quote
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 8
From: Indian Rocks Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Not a "typo". A direct quote from the service manual in the section for a '98.
Quote:
Document ID# 239730
1998 Chevrolet/Geo Corvette
Park Brake Shoe Adjustment
Tools Required
J 21177-A Drum to Brake Shoe Clearance Gauge
Important
* Adjustments are not normally necessary after replacing the park brake lever or cables. The park brake is adjusted automatically by cycling the park brake lever three or four times.
* Never operate the park brake lever while the rotor is removed.
1. Remove the brake rotor. Refer to Brake Rotor Replacement - Rear in Disc Brakes.
2. Check if the brake drum inner diameter is within specifications.
Important
If the gap between the adjuster nut and screw exceeds 5 mm (0.25 in) during the adjustment procedure, the brake shoe assembly must be replaced.
3. Adjust the parking brake shoe-to-drum clearance to 0.38 mm (0.015 in) using J 21177-A .
4. Center the brake shoe.
5. Measure the brake shoe lining diameter across the horizontal centerline using J 21177-A .
6. The diameter should measure 189.6 mm (7.464 in) to 189.8 mm (7.472 in). Install the brake rotor.
7. Install two wheel nuts to retain the rotor.
Tighten
Tighten the wheel nuts finger tight. Do not overtighten.
8. Cycle the park brake lever three times.
9. Rotate the rotor and check for drag.
10. If drag is present check and adjust the shoe-to-drum clearance. Install the rotor. Refer to Brake Rotor Replacement - Rear in Disc Brakes.
Document ID# 239730
1998 Chevrolet/Geo Corvette
End Quote
I hope this clears it up for you.
Quote:
Document ID# 239730
1998 Chevrolet/Geo Corvette
Park Brake Shoe Adjustment
Tools Required
J 21177-A Drum to Brake Shoe Clearance Gauge
Important
* Adjustments are not normally necessary after replacing the park brake lever or cables. The park brake is adjusted automatically by cycling the park brake lever three or four times.
* Never operate the park brake lever while the rotor is removed.
1. Remove the brake rotor. Refer to Brake Rotor Replacement - Rear in Disc Brakes.
2. Check if the brake drum inner diameter is within specifications.
Important
If the gap between the adjuster nut and screw exceeds 5 mm (0.25 in) during the adjustment procedure, the brake shoe assembly must be replaced.
3. Adjust the parking brake shoe-to-drum clearance to 0.38 mm (0.015 in) using J 21177-A .
4. Center the brake shoe.
5. Measure the brake shoe lining diameter across the horizontal centerline using J 21177-A .
6. The diameter should measure 189.6 mm (7.464 in) to 189.8 mm (7.472 in). Install the brake rotor.
7. Install two wheel nuts to retain the rotor.
Tighten
Tighten the wheel nuts finger tight. Do not overtighten.
8. Cycle the park brake lever three times.
9. Rotate the rotor and check for drag.
10. If drag is present check and adjust the shoe-to-drum clearance. Install the rotor. Refer to Brake Rotor Replacement - Rear in Disc Brakes.
Document ID# 239730
1998 Chevrolet/Geo Corvette
End Quote
I hope this clears it up for you.
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 22,830
Likes: 13
From: Columbus Ohio
CI 3-4, 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
If anyone cares (and I really don't) click the attachment from my ESI install up above for the 03 version.
From my ESI software for the 1998 Chevrolet/Geo Corvette:
The 98 Chevrolet/Geo Corvette must be different.
Document ID# 239730
1998 Chevrolet/Geo Corvette
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Park Brake Shoe Adjustment
Tools Required
J 21177-A Drum to Brake Shoe Clearance Gauge
Important
Adjustments are not normally necessary after replacing the park brake lever or cables. The park brake is adjusted automatically by cycling the park brake lever three or four times.
Never operate the park brake lever while the rotor is removed.
Remove the brake rotor. Refer to Brake Rotor Replacement - Rear in Disc Brakes.
Check if the brake drum inner diameter is within specifications.
Important
If the gap between the adjuster nut and screw exceeds 5 mm (0.25 in) during the adjustment procedure, the brake shoe assembly must be replaced.
Adjust the parking brake shoe-to-drum clearance to 0.38 mm (0.015 in) using J 21177-A .
Center the brake shoe.
Measure the brake shoe lining diameter across the horizontal centerline using J 21177-A . The diameter should measure 189.6 mm (7.464 in) to 189.8 mm (7.472 in).
Install the brake rotor.
Install two wheel nuts to retain the rotor. Tighten
Tighten the wheel nuts finger tight. Do not overtighten.
Cycle the park brake lever three times.
Rotate the rotor and check for drag. If drag is present check and adjust the shoe-to-drum clearance.
Install the rotor. Refer to Brake Rotor Replacement - Rear in Disc Brakes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Document ID# 239730
1998 Chevrolet/Geo Corvette
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 7
From: 1994 LT1 Coupe 6-speed with FX3 & 2000 LS1 Vert 6-Speed with F45 Hunterdon County, NJ
must remove rotor to adjust
Finally got to this project (parking brake has been worthless since we got our 2000 C5 -- now has 13.3k miles).
It was actually easier than expected (biggest challenge was the 130 ft lb torque on the brake caliper mounting bracket bolts while on my back with the car up on jack stands).
Found both 'star adjusters' were only open about 10 clicks. Had to add 40-45 additional clicks to both sides (still only about 1/8" gap/opening between star adjuster and underside of contact point of shoe. Didn't have a in/out measuring device for the shoe/rotor diamater, so used the ol' adjust out until difficult to put rotor on, but with virtually no drag on the rotor when assembled.
BTW, I spent quite a few minutes studying the star adjuster and DO NOT SEE how it could ever be SELF ADJUSTING.
.
NOW, though the car is still up in the air, I tested the brake with it at idle and the car in 1st gear, and thankfully, the parking brake stalled the engine.
Also, the brake handle used to top-out at about 70 degrees -- now it's down to about 40 degrees when pulled-up by my lovely wife. Further, now at 7 clicks (of the brake handle), I cannot turn the rotor by hand at all.
Will update this post when the car is back on all fours (hopefully tomorrow).
SUCCESS -- the parking brake now holds on a 25 degree hill (e.g. the start of our driveway). It could be a bit better though, so next time I take it apart, I will add a few more clicks (i.e. make it very difficult to put the rotor back on and have a small amount of drag).
It was actually easier than expected (biggest challenge was the 130 ft lb torque on the brake caliper mounting bracket bolts while on my back with the car up on jack stands).
Found both 'star adjusters' were only open about 10 clicks. Had to add 40-45 additional clicks to both sides (still only about 1/8" gap/opening between star adjuster and underside of contact point of shoe. Didn't have a in/out measuring device for the shoe/rotor diamater, so used the ol' adjust out until difficult to put rotor on, but with virtually no drag on the rotor when assembled.
BTW, I spent quite a few minutes studying the star adjuster and DO NOT SEE how it could ever be SELF ADJUSTING.
. NOW, though the car is still up in the air, I tested the brake with it at idle and the car in 1st gear, and thankfully, the parking brake stalled the engine.
Also, the brake handle used to top-out at about 70 degrees -- now it's down to about 40 degrees when pulled-up by my lovely wife. Further, now at 7 clicks (of the brake handle), I cannot turn the rotor by hand at all.
Will update this post when the car is back on all fours (hopefully tomorrow).
SUCCESS -- the parking brake now holds on a 25 degree hill (e.g. the start of our driveway). It could be a bit better though, so next time I take it apart, I will add a few more clicks (i.e. make it very difficult to put the rotor back on and have a small amount of drag).
Last edited by theadmiral94; Aug 28, 2010 at 08:52 PM. Reason: results after car back on all 'fours'
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Finally got to this project (parking brake has been worthless since we got our 2000 C5 -- now has 13.3k miles).
It was actually easier than expected (biggest challenge was the 130 ft lb torque on the brake caliper mounting bracket bolts while on my back with the car up on jack stands).
Found both 'star adjusters' were only open about 10 clicks. Had to add 40-45 additional clicks to both sides (still only about 1/8" gap/opening between star adjuster and underside of contact point of shoe. Didn't have a in/out measuring device for the shoe/rotor diamater, so used the ol' adjust out until difficult to put rotor on, but with virtually no drag on the rotor when assembled.
BTW, I spent quite a few minutes studying the star adjuster and DO NOT SEE how it could ever be SELF ADJUSTING..
NOW, though the car is still up in the air, I tested the brake with it at idle and the car in 1st gear, and thankfully, the parking brake stalled the engine.
Also, the brake handle used to top-out at about 70 degrees -- now it's down to about 40 degrees when pulled-up by my lovely wife. Further, now at 7 clicks (of the brake handle), I cannot turn the rotor by hand at all.
Will update this post when the car is back on all fours (hopefully tomorrow).
It was actually easier than expected (biggest challenge was the 130 ft lb torque on the brake caliper mounting bracket bolts while on my back with the car up on jack stands).
Found both 'star adjusters' were only open about 10 clicks. Had to add 40-45 additional clicks to both sides (still only about 1/8" gap/opening between star adjuster and underside of contact point of shoe. Didn't have a in/out measuring device for the shoe/rotor diamater, so used the ol' adjust out until difficult to put rotor on, but with virtually no drag on the rotor when assembled.
BTW, I spent quite a few minutes studying the star adjuster and DO NOT SEE how it could ever be SELF ADJUSTING.
. NOW, though the car is still up in the air, I tested the brake with it at idle and the car in 1st gear, and thankfully, the parking brake stalled the engine.
Also, the brake handle used to top-out at about 70 degrees -- now it's down to about 40 degrees when pulled-up by my lovely wife. Further, now at 7 clicks (of the brake handle), I cannot turn the rotor by hand at all.
Will update this post when the car is back on all fours (hopefully tomorrow).
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 7
From: 1994 LT1 Coupe 6-speed with FX3 & 2000 LS1 Vert 6-Speed with F45 Hunterdon County, NJ
The shoes are not self adjusting... there is no self adjusting mechanism connected to the shoes, spreader or backing plate.. there is however an adjustment for the slack in the cable.Rolling the car backward and sharply applying the brake lever three times will adjust the cable.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
