Parking brake problem

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Sep 7, 2018 | 10:00 AM

shaggyvette

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 1,166

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From: Springfield MA

St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12, '19, '21

Parking brake problem

I have a good friend with a parking problem. He pulls up the brake lever and it won't release without a fight. Anybody had this problem. Help!

Dave

Sep 7, 2018 | 01:33 PM

3sACROWD

Melting Slicks

Joined: Sep 2011

Posts: 2,258

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From: Appleton WI

Im not sure what your friend is fighting. Can't get the button to depress? Can't move the lever? Brakes don't release?

If it is trying to get the button to depress, try pulling up on the lever a little then attempt to push the thumb button. Pulling up while depressing the thumb button takes the pressure off the button.

If the lever is raising too high, it could be reaching the limit of travel. They may need the parking brake pads adjusted and / or replaced.

Sep 7, 2018 | 03:16 PM

shaggyvette

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 1,166

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From: Springfield MA

St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12, '19, '21

Parking brake

The handle doesn't move. The button seems to depress. The lever is all the way up. It seems like the black leather piece on the handle moves up when you try to release the brake.
Dave

Last edited by Vetteman Jack; Sep 7, 2018 at 05:24 PM.

Sep 7, 2018 | 05:25 PM

Vetteman Jack

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Sep 7, 2018 | 06:01 PM

leadfoot4

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Joined: May 2001

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From: Western NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaggyvette

The handle doesn't move. The button seems to depress. The lever is all the way up. It seems like the black leather piece on the handle moves up when you try to release the brake.
Dave

I seem to recall reading an earlier discussion, about a year or so ago, here at CF. The solution, it seemed, was to disconnect the e-brake handle from the trans tunnel, and clean out the old, gummed up lube. Then re-lube and re-install.

Sep 7, 2018 | 06:31 PM

redzg

Safety Car

Joined: Mar 2017

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From: Orlando Florida

It sounds as though the lever is coming up too far, and the cable adjuster is bound - the dried up grease referenced - and the shoes more than likely need adjustment. Which is not particularly fun...

Sep 7, 2018 | 08:54 PM

3sACROWD

Melting Slicks

Joined: Sep 2011

Posts: 2,258

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From: Appleton WI

I agree it sounds like the lever is travelling too far. The lever should only move up about 4 clicks or so. If you adjust the parking brake (at the rear wheels) you will likely alleviate the problem

Sep 9, 2018 | 11:22 AM

K-Spaz

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From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader

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Quote:

Originally Posted by leadfoot4

Some of them had lube on them and some were completely dry. Mine in my 98 had lube that turned into tar and gummed everything up and no amount of brake clean or 2+2 gum cutter and everything else would clean it. No amount of varsol, none of that. I finally bought a new handle, well a used one from a parts dealer and installed that and all my problems were gone. I also broke the spring in mine while attempting to clean the whole thing, I'm convinced the tar, grease whatever you want to call it was put in at the factory. Whatever it was and whoever did it, it was a terrible decision.

In my case it was a lack of motion of the auto adjusting palls that killed it. Once they no longer work smoothly, all bets are off for the parking brake.