Parking brake

[Dood1]

I had a scraping noise coming from my right rear wheel so I took it apart and when I pulled off the brake disc two little springs fell out. They are both about 2 inches long over all, with about a half inch of coiled spring. Can anyone point me to a diagram of the parking brake components of a 1980 C3 so I can figure out where these things go, or if they belong there in the first place? I can't imagine how you service these things anyway, looks like a nightmare.

Also, how hard should it be to rotate the spindle with the wheel off? I can't do it by grabbing the spindle with my hands, I have to use a screwdriver to get leverage, once I get it rotating it feels very smooth, but it takes some effort. Is that just the friction of the posi that I have to overcome? I only have one wheel off the ground when I'm doing this.

 

[Stallion]

I'm not sure what you can do to fix your problem, but you can get an Assembly manual for your '80 that'll give you all the diagrams you can need.

Good luck with everything.

TR

 

[vettej1]

The springs undoubtedly are from the parking brake assy. It isn't the easiest area to get into but it's fairly straight forward if you've ever done drum brakes before. Just alot smaller. If parking brake shoes are worn then you'll have to dissassemble and replace them. Go to the book store or autoparts store and pick up a manual for you car. The best one would be the assy manual from GM that you can get online. And then you'll have it for the future.

The reason your spindle is hard to turn is that your not just turning the spindle. Your turning the spindle, the half shafts and the diff. gears too.

-john

 

[Dood1]

The reason your spindle is hard to turn is that your not just turning the spindle. Your turning the spindle, the half shafts and the diff. gears too.

-john

Understood, but, all the open differentials that I've dealt with in the past, and the lockers, have not felt like this. I'm assuming the difference is the posi unit, but I'd like to know for sure if it should be this way.

I'm pretty sure the springs are the upper shoe return springs, but I'm not sure if there should be two of them, or just one between the two shoes at the top, as is suggested in number 16 of this article:
http://zip-corvette.com/techarticles/pb/pb2.htm

The bottom of the shoes seem to share a single spring.

 

[clar2001]

The hard to turn spindle is just your posi or limmited slip your turring a bunch of menechical parts so you should fell some resistance.
And there is two springs on your parking brake two different styles too.one top one bottom look in any parts catalog and it will show the placement ,I would recommend the brake spring tool for $7 dollars to make life easier I just use needle nose plyers.
most likely you will not be able too get these springs at the local parts store

 

[LC2001]

You have the whole spring as it has two coils one on each end of the spring just before the hooks. I use a wire with a hook on it to pull the spring to the hole and a screwdriver to push it in the mounting hole. The screwdriver goes thru the hole in the flange. Take a seat and work at it as you will get it on in due time. Lyle

 

[Stallion]

The springs undoubtedly are from the parking brake assy. It isn't the easiest area to get into but it's fairly straight forward if you've ever done drum brakes before. Just alot smaller. If parking brake shoes are worn then you'll have to dissassemble and replace them. Go to the book store or autoparts store and pick up a manual for you car. The best one would be the assy manual from GM that you can get online. And then you'll have it for the future.

The reason your spindle is hard to turn is that your not just turning the spindle. Your turning the spindle, the half shafts and the diff. gears too.

-john

So the parking brake is designed like a drum brake? I've worked on drum brakes before. It's not too bad. Where exactly is all this located then? Right behind the spindle? :confused

 

[clar2001]

Just like a drum actual that what it is,you need to remove your caliper then your rotor, may be rivited on if original then you will half to drill out rivits,mark location of rotor to whell studs then knock off, then wraped around your spindel you will see the E-Brake and it is a drum brake pads should show little wear unless you ever drove with your E-Brake on . Chiltons manual or Hanes from your local parts store about $10, will show and give you directions,when you order the springs from a corvette parts supplyer, you will see the difference in the 2 springs needed for your brake they will come marked upper & lower and only go on one way.
Do the manual now unlike regular drum brakes these are wraped around your spindel so the springs and hold downs are hard to access, however (TIP) mount your pads then push one to the side a little bit mount upper spring put back in place then push other side out a little and attach other end of spring .Repeat for lower will be a little easier .
Then you will need to ajust tension on the brake I usly do it just untill the rotor fells friction pulling on and off or turn your whells and ajust while on .
Imporant not to over tighten and creatate extra friction or heat.
pain to ajust so the brake autualy holds well without being to tight ...............

CHILTIONS Manual best bet....................

 

[Dood1]

You have the whole spring as it has two coils one on each end of the spring just before the hooks. I use a wire with a hook on it to pull the spring to the hole and a screwdriver to push it in the mounting hole. The screwdriver goes thru the hole in the flange. Take a seat and work at it as you will get it on in due time. Lyle

Yup, that's it, I found a picture on a parts site of what it looks like. I wonder if I can just get just the springs, or if I have to get a whole kit, which I don't need. Anyone have a link?

This was also very helpful to me if anyone needs it:
http://rowleycorvette.com/corvette_repair.html

 

[clar2001]

Just the spring $2 each www.coevetteamerica.com or any other vender

 

[Dood1]

Thank you!!