Emergency brake problem
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 0
From: Naples, Fl. USA
Emergency brake problem
The emergency brake on my 98 does not work unless you pull it to the left while putting it on.
Anyone experience this problem or know of an adjustment/repair??
Thanks :cheers:
Anyone experience this problem or know of an adjustment/repair??
Thanks :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 12
From: Vancouver
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Re: Emergency brake problem (Rair67)
You have to take the rear wheels off and drums and adjust the star wheel till you can just push the drum back on without the shoe hanging up.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 0
From: Naples, Fl. USA
Re: Emergency brake problem (Stock Man)
It doesn't seem to be a problem of hanging up. When you pull the emergency brake handle straight back, it feels like the em brake is set but it isn't. If you pull the em brake handle back, while holding it tightly to the left, then it engages.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,013
Likes: 508
From: Hilton NY
Re: Emergency brake problem (Rair67)
If pulling the handle back holds the car, the brake handle could be the problem. Inside the brake handle assembly are two spring loaded paws that lock the cable when you pull back, if one of the paws sticks, the cable tension cannot be maintained. The cause of the sticking can be old grease on the paws, the assembly has very tight tolerences. I removed the assembly on my '98, cleaned it in solvent then regreased with Mobil 1 grease and it never worked better (before this was done it usually never worked). The passenger seat and console were removed before the brake assembly. If you remove the console and boot around the brake handle it should be possible to spray the parts with a degreaser and then add new grease without removing the whole assembly.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 828
Likes: 1
From: Wichita Ks
Re: Emergency brake problem (Fast one)
Mine hasn't worked since i bought it, unless i pull the handle about a dozen times in a hurry. Dealer said i would need new shows on the emer. brake. It only has 37,000 miles and it's an auto when did the get used.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,567
Likes: 0
From: Aurora IL
Re: Emergency brake problem (Tlkschep)
:iagree: Your pawls are worn or for some reason the dedent pins are not engaging properly. the fix is inside the counsle under the e-brake lever and covering. Check your owners manual for access and repair information, the pawls are teeth so they could have bent or broken or the pins are misaligned or sticking. The repair should not be too costly in dollars but will probaly take some time. It should not involve the shoes if the handle is not catching, the two operations are not the same. you could have no shoes and the pawls would still ratchet on pulling the handle.
[Modified by CAPN17, 10:07 PM 8/18/2003]
[Modified by CAPN17, 10:07 PM 8/18/2003]
Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 545
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC
Re: Emergency brake problem (Rair67)
I had a '98 coupe that did that. EB would not engage properly unless, like you said, pulling to the left. I just lived with it and fortunately on my "00 this does not happen - but EB is still a joke.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
From: Newport Beach CA
Re: Emergency brake problem (racetchr)
My ebrake on my '99 sucked when I got it used and told the dealer about it right away. They put in a new ebrake handle no charge as mine did have a problem but it did not help much. I have noticed that the brake seems to wrk better afetr pulling and releasing it a few times. Must set it hard at the top of the pull. Other people say they all suck and can't do anything to fix it. :rolleyes:
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 12
From: Vancouver
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Re: Emergency brake problem (BADBLACK99)
I would check the manual adjustment inside the drums before replacing the hand break assembly. Mine was like you guys are describing and it now works fine after the adjustment. My adjuster was bottomed out and I adjusted it out about 1/8" and now it works.
