General Maintenance & Repairs Leaks | Squeaks | Clunks | Rattles | Grinds
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

E-brake problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 23, 2010 | 03:37 PM
  #1  
cfallsguy's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 479
Likes: 0
From: FL
Default E-brake problem

So ever since i bought the camaro the e-brake has never worked, and I need it in the summer so it needs done and now is the best time. It's doesn't seem like its engaging when i pull the handle as there is no resistance. I don't know if it's a cable or what but where would be the best place to check?
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2010 | 12:58 PM
  #2  
wssix99's Avatar
Save the manuals!
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,967
Likes: 389
From: Chicago, IL
Default

Does your handle go to the sky? Does it give you any resistance or hold the car even a little bit?

The parking brakes need to adjusted to the rear rotors. Commonly, people will change the rotors and not do the adjustment. (which needs to be done with the brakes/rotors off)
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2010 | 03:06 PM
  #3  
1 FMF's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 2
From: CT
Default

i could be wrong but i thought the e-brake was self-adjusting,
the parking brake shoes are probably toasted, I would check there first.
it requires removing the rear wheel and undoing the caliper so the rotor can be pulled off.
If you have traction control, or ASR, then you have a reluctor wheel on the end of the axle making it hard to access the e-brake shoes. The solution there is to remove the rear differential cover (draining the rear axle fluid) and removing the paddle block and C-clips holding the axles in, all it takes is a 5/16" 6-point closed end wrench to remove one bolt and the axles pull right out. It was years ago when I had to mess with that on my 99, I'm not sure if you can simply replace the e-brake shoes without pulling the axles.
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2010 | 10:55 PM
  #4  
wssix99's Avatar
Save the manuals!
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,967
Likes: 389
From: Chicago, IL
Default

The star wheel mechanism looks like the old style drum brakes, which were self-adjusting - but this is not. Its totally static: http://www.pbr.com.au/products/origi...rkbrakes.shtml

The only way to wear out the brake shoes is if you drive around for a very long time with your parking brake on. When its off there is 0 friction in the mechanism.
Reply
Old Mar 25, 2010 | 11:13 PM
  #5  
cfallsguy's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 479
Likes: 0
From: FL
Default

Originally Posted by wssix99
Does your handle go to the sky? Does it give you any resistance or hold the car even a little bit?

The parking brakes need to adjusted to the rear rotors. Commonly, people will change the rotors and not do the adjustment. (which needs to be done with the brakes/rotors off)
It just goes until it can't anymore, it clicks and has very slight resistance if pulling it but it doesn't get anymore tense as it should when pulling an e-brake (if that made sense ha). And it doesn't hold the car at all, I've pulled it up and it stills moves. Could it possibly be the cable in the console or does the brake system sound like the problem?
And it has a limited slip differential i believe, if that complicates anything in the brake area.
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2010 | 08:29 AM
  #6  
wssix99's Avatar
Save the manuals!
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,967
Likes: 389
From: Chicago, IL
Default

Sounds like its adjustment. If so, you will need to take the wheels, brakes, and rotors off on both sides in order to do the adjustment.

I'd first check where the cables meet the parking brake levers sticking out from the back of the brake plate at each wheel. Check to make sure the cables are attached and tight. Looking under the car, you should also be able to trace the cables back to the center of the car and confirm they are not cut. If the cables are good, you'll need to adjust.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:12 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE