Parking or E Brake question

[LannyL81]

What do the C5's use for the parking or E brake mechanism? I was going to do a C4 to C5 brake change out but was told that I would lose my E brake as the C5s do not use the rear disc caliper. Is this true? Do the C5s have a mini drum brake like my '81 does?

Thanks,
LannyL81

 

[Mr. Lucky]

Do the C5s have a mini drum brake like my '81 does?

EXACTLY... and here are the adjustment details.

 

[MsSchroder]

My ebrake was pathetic after less than 15k miles. It was weak and hard to engage. My dealer convinced me that the shoes were worn from the mere fact of parking it and engaging the brake when the brakes were still hot. I had them replaced.... hmmmmmmm ;squint: ... now I wonder.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

That was an interesting article, but wrong.
The C5 E-Brakes do not have a self adjusting feature that works when you back up. There is a star wheel on the adjuster, but it does not rotate and there is no pawl to engage it. At least on my 98 it is that way, maybe they added it later on.
My E-brake never worked when I got it(as in the shoes had never touched the drum since it came from the factory) and it took a lot of messing around to get it working. I finally found the brake lever auto-adjuster pawl was gummed up with sticky grease and never pulled the brake cable.
I think if you are just using it for a parking brake, it should never have to be touched after the initial adjustment.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

My ebrake was pathetic after less than 15k miles. It was weak and hard to engage. My dealer convinced me that the shoes were worn from the mere fact of parking it and engaging the brake when the brakes were still hot. I had them replaced.... hmmmmmmm ;squint: ... now I wonder.

Yup, you got hosed.ad

 

[wishuwerehere82]

What do the C5's use for the parking or E brake mechanism? I was going to do a C4 to C5 brake change out but was told that I would lose my E brake as the C5s do not use the rear disc caliper. Is this true? Do the C5s have a mini drum brake like my '81 does?

Thanks,
LannyL81

I would think that would be a really expensive project, if at all do-able. The trailing arm assembly is totally different as well as the bearings and half shafts. Let's face it, if it was remotely workable, NorvilWilhelm would have done it on his.

 

[mrm1149]

Unfortunately, the e brake mechanism on our C5's is a neolithic joke for a system in a world class car.............