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form406 · 11-02-2007, 01:44 AM

this is actually for my 87 chevy starcraft van im going to sell...the parking brake pedal doesnt pop all the way back still leaving the parking brake partially engaged...when i release my firebirds parking brake it pops back so hard it could almost hurt you...lol...with the van i have to go under the van and give the cable a tug...adjusting doesnt help...i guess the springs inside the rear hubs are worn as well as the springs under the van have lost their spring?
is there any way to add helper springs or spacers to add more tension so the rear brakes release or do i have to go through the pita of changing the rear cable?

Eighttime · 11-02-2007, 10:22 AM

First things first, check the pedal assembly and make sure there are no foreign objects in it. If there is a spring, check that too. Now as long as the cable is attached, it'll probably work. It may need adjusting but not replaced. Before you adjust the cable, and as long as you haven't found the problem already, pop the rear drums off and hose(yep, garden hose) out the drum housing. While the drum is off, check that all springs are in place. Have a friend try the e-brake while you check out the motion(wear safety glasses) PB blaster works great if not used in excess in this instance. You don't wan't it on the brake surface, but you can use it on all moving parts of the e-brake system. Go ahead and soak the adjuster(cable) with the PB, just in case. Hope this helps...

form406 · 11-02-2007, 10:40 AM

thanks ior the info...i tried all that as well as taking apart an assembly to compare to at the pick in pull yard...when i had a rear hub replaced from the pbrake sticking the guy who had been doing brakes for 17 years at midas said he couldnt get it to adjust...i usually do the brakes but i was on a road trip when that happened...there is just no pop to it

...

Eighttime · 11-02-2007, 11:09 AM

Did you get a friend to help you pop it?

form406 · 11-02-2007, 11:16 AM

not yet...i understand though...so i can actually watch the parts to see what isnt happening...i just think the springs have lost their spring...ill give it a go agin this weekend...id rather be working on the firebird but i gotta get rid of this thing...

Eighttime · 11-02-2007, 11:43 AM

Absolutely! Yep, that's what it sounds like to me...

Schurkey · 11-02-2007, 06:46 PM

First Guess: Cables binding in the cable housings. High friction within the cable assembly. Common as dirt. Had to replace the cables on my '88 Silverado work truck.

DO NOT adjust the cables so tight that the shoes don't return to the anchor pins. Adjust the service brakes FIRST, adjust the cables if needed afterwards--generally the park brake adjustment is just fine once the service brakes are properly adjusted.

Eighttime · 11-02-2007, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schurkey

First Guess: Cables binding in the cable housings. High friction within the cable assembly. Common as dirt. Had to replace the cables on my '88 Silverado work truck.

DO NOT adjust the cables so tight that the shoes don't return to the anchor pins. Adjust the service brakes FIRST, adjust the cables if needed afterwards--generally the park brake adjustment is just fine once the service brakes are properly adjusted.

Yep, that's where we're at. Somewhere within the drum assembly is where the problem is. If you want to be sure, disconnect the e-brake, cycle it, and if it works ok, then redo some springs like we talked about.

Eighttime · 11-05-2007, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by form406

not yet...i understand though...so i can actually watch the parts to see what isnt happening...i just think the springs have lost their spring...ill give it a go agin this weekend...id rather be working on the firebird but i gotta get rid of this thing...

Did ya get her fixed?

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