Emergency Brake System - 1979

[papajoe]

Emergency Brake/Parking Brake does not work at all!

I am very familiar with emergency Brake systems built over the last 30 years by Chevrolet.

However, I have never dealt with a Corvette Emergency Brake System.

Before I tackle this job, is there any advice concerning something particular to Corvette Parking Brakes that I should know?

Thanks...

;help

 

[brusso]

First off, if the brakes haven't been touched yet, get a drill. You will need it to get the rotor off. After getting the caliper and rotor off, get a drink. You'll need this to help you absorb what you see in front of you. More than likely, the E-Brake hardware is frozen. For about 60 bucks you can get a complete kit that includes all off the springs and linkage. for about another 60 bucks you can get the E-Brake shoes. The hardware kit usually comes with instructions. The one PITA is that you have to remove the spindle to install the new linkage. So I would recommend a little patience and a lot of penetrating oil and work them free. Unless you have the special tools and have done it before, I wouldn't attempt to remove and replace the spindles. Also, take care not to damage the rear holddown spring stud, for the same reason. To save yourself a headache, take an old screwdriver and cut out a notch in the center of the flat tip. This will be used to install the brake springs. The holddown springs are another story. There is not enough room to use a holddown spring remover tool, so you have to come up with something on your own. I used a pair of needle nose pliers. I would open the jaw slightly and push on the retaining cap. When the stud pushes through, squeeze pliers. At this point, try to keep the cap from rotating somehow(I used my finger)and rotate the pliers.

Now for the bad news Sometimes after replacing the brake hardware, you hear a clicking noise in rear end. This is most likely because the back of the wheel studs are rubbing the holddown spring caps. If this happens, you will need to remove the caps and flaten them slightly. Flatening the caps makes the holddown spring hight smaller and thus clearing the wheel studs. I used a small ball peen hammer. Then you will need to drill out the center of the caps. You will need to drill out the caps because while flatening them you will close up the hole that the stud goes through.

YES I SPENT AN ENTIRE WEEKEND SCREWING WITH MY E-BRAKES! :bang

Good Luck

 

[VRGSVET]

I would like to meet the guy who designed these e-brakes, and not to buy him a drink if you know what I mean. I didn't have to replace everything, so I didn't need to pull the spindles, but I had a heck of a time installing the hold-down springs. I did the same thing as brusso and used a needle nose and a lot of tinkering around. But, one of the pins is covered by the dust shield in back and there was a little room back there. So, every time I would try to push the hold-down spring onto the pin, the pin would slide back and I couldn't get a grip on it with the needle nose. The one on the other side (two per wheel) was open in the back and I could hold the pin in place with my finger while pushing the spring over it. Finally, I found a post on this site that saved me. It said to compress the spring and tie it down with dental floss. Then push it onto the pin and lock it in place. Then take a razor blade and cut the floss to release the spring. Hope this helps.

 

[brusso]

I wish that I had read the Dental Floss post before spending an eternity on that rear stud.

 

[cwerve74]

PapaJoe Check out this "how to document" I thnk it will be a big help. I would not remove the spindles--- to much risk of damage and then you have a lot bigger problem than no parking brake. I was able to get the job done but it took some chemicals and a cool head.

http://rowleycorvette.com/corvette_repair.html