Hey Guys
When ever my 2000 vette sets for a long time like a few weeks. The emergency brake won`t hold. After I drive it a couple of times it seems to be OK. Any suggestions. Thanks

 

Try lifting up on the lever & engaing it 3 times in a row, before seeing if it will hold on an incline.
Make sure you don't over extend, when pulling the lever up ward.

 

When I changed rear pads and painted calipers removed calipers then rear rotors and adjusted star wheels to have PB shoe just touch inside of rotor surface. The red locktited 125 ft # bolts holding the calipers on are the killers. Mine worked for 5 years but need adjusting again.
When it warms up I'll pull my arms off with a breaker bar and a length of pipe.
BIGHANK

 

Not an uncommon problem. Two main possibilities, parking brake shoe adjustment and a faulty parking brake pawl on the hand lever. I'd do the shoe adjustment first, it may solve your problem.

Try these instructions and see if it helps you: http://www.ronjpics.com/Corvettestuff.htm#parkbrake

RonJ ....

 

good info, saved since my e-brake has not worked since I purchased the vette

 

Same here, something that's always bothered me. This winter I adjusted the drum and now it holds solid on the driveway slope. What a thrill to have a parking brake that actually works.

I did try yanking it at 45mph or so, and it won't lockup the tires but now it does provide good braking. Before, it was almost nothing.

 

It's actually only for holding the car when it's not moving,hence the name"parking brake"
Those tiny brake shoes on the rear wheels shouldn't be expected to do anything more.

 

Thanks Everyone
It seems to work and hold well after I use the car a couple of times. But when I first use it after it sets along time sometimes it`s great and other times it won`t hold anything.

 

Maybe it's primary for parking, but it should work if the brake hydraulics fail.

 

And it will,just not very well....

 

Good thread!

 

If you deploy the parking brake at speed those shoes wear fast. So fast you'll be under your car adjusting star wheels all over again. I use mine only at a complete stop and still have to adjust them about every two years. PITA it is.