E-Brake Stuck
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 412
Likes: 205
From: Castle Rock, CO.
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
E-Brake Stuck
Doing brake job. Adjusted E-Brake. Passenger side rotor went on okay but needed the E-Brake backed-off a bit. Wife pulled brake several times and both cables seemed to be working. However, passenger side brake doesn’t seem to be releasing. I can get the rotor to wiggle but the “7 O’Clock” position won’t budge; the area where the adjuster is located. I tried using a punch to tap down (release) on the release tap but it won’t move. Same position on driver’s side. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,765
Likes: 938
From: Orlando Florida
I've had mine do similar -- adjusted it just a tad too snug, I guess. I added a lever to the removal process, and managed to move the drum a very small amount at a time, working one side to the other. I could feel the shoe pulling from the backing plate slightly, but stopped short of tweaking the retaining spring/clip or bending the backing plate. I don't think I got a mm per shift. Maybe .5mm.
Rhetorical question of the day: why on earth did they not put an adjustment slot through the backing plate, like virtually every other drum brake on the planet?
Non-rhetorical question for the public in general: wonder if we could add an adjustment slot or hole? That may take some contemplation.
Rhetorical question of the day: why on earth did they not put an adjustment slot through the backing plate, like virtually every other drum brake on the planet?
Non-rhetorical question for the public in general: wonder if we could add an adjustment slot or hole? That may take some contemplation.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 412
Likes: 205
From: Castle Rock, CO.
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
From reading an older post about a similar problem, I pried back the backing plate. From there, I could see the entire e-brake assembly was moving back and forth with the rotor. I also could see the adjuster wheel but could get it to move.
I originally thought I was about to get the rotor off before getting a view behind the backing plate. I detached the “wire” spring and that seemed to allow things to loosen up. I then yanked the rotor and brake shoes off as one piece. I’ll need new brake shoes and will rebuild the assembly.
Maybe this, along with the photos will help someone going through this same problem.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,765
Likes: 938
From: Orlando Florida
Thanks for posting the conclusion, or at least semi-conclusion. Far too often problem posts just seem to die of old age with no resolution. Do a bit of research on how to get the spring back on -- it's not a walk in the park. Looks like you pulled some brake material off the shoe? And the photo looks like one-sided wear -- is that an optical illusion?Did your backing plate end up bent? Wagner has a hardware kit for the parking brake, with not only the retention springs, but also the adjustment screws, etc. It's their H7426 -- duplicated by most brake parts suppliers.
https://drivcat.com/overlays/part-de...Hardware%20Kit
https://drivcat.com/overlays/part-de...Hardware%20Kit
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 412
Likes: 205
From: Castle Rock, CO.
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I purchased a new shoe kit from NAPA and managed to get the spring clipped back in without losing my mind. I still have the driver’s side to do.
My old shoes looked okay (75,000 miles) but I damaged one during disassembly.
I pried back the backing plate and all seems to be working well.
I determined the passenger side adjuster was binding and a rebuild fixed the problem.
My old shoes looked okay (75,000 miles) but I damaged one during disassembly.
I pried back the backing plate and all seems to be working well.
I determined the passenger side adjuster was binding and a rebuild fixed the problem.
