E Hand brake repairs Topic is solved

[subzerocarfanatic]

Now that the front suspension including rotors and pads have all been replaced, i'm moving to the rear to install the new shocks. I purchased a complete set of SACHS which I assume to be OEM, so now I am ready to tackle the rear and figured i would replace the rear rotors as well as new ceramic pads like i did in the front.
My question is does anyone know if the rear has a shoe type of brakes for the emergency brake part, I know it has disc rotors but i'm referring to strictly the emergency brake set-up.Want to know because I am ordering the new rear pads with rotors today and if the rear E-brake is ran on shoes i might as well replace them so i never have to worry about them again, the hand brake does hold but not as good as it should and the rear rotors are shot and brakes squeal constantly and very loud.

[bmdubya1198]

Yes, the e-brake is a shoe-type setup. It's probably a good idea to go ahead and replace them like you said, that way you don't have to worry about them again.
As for the e-brake holding, you'll want to make adjustments at the adjusters on the shoes, then tighten up the cable at the handle in the car. There's a large T50/T55 adjustment bolt at the base of the handle, accessible from under that little removable panel in the front of the center console.
You may actually want to start by tightening up the cable, but that depends on how loose the handle is. If it feels good, you should be fine with just adjusting the shoes.

[scot850]

Again, as it is a C70, and FWD, I am going to assume that the parking brake system is the same as 4 door FWD cars. I don't know if the parking brake cable is the same part as a 4 door, but I would expect it to be the same otherwise.

That being the case, check the condition of the cables, particularly just forward of the rear wheels. They are mounted there and with time and use, and often more so without use, water gets in around the mounting and seizes the inner cable. This limits the effectiveness of the brakes naturally. The other issue is that as many don't use the e-brake on auto trans cars, the brake shoe drum on the inside of the rotor becomes rusted and this reduces the grip of the shoe on the drum surface as well as rust particles. Over time the shoes de-laminate from the metal part of the shoe and can cause rubbing or even jamming of the rear drum.

If you are replacing the rear rotors then you will have new drums. Clean them carefully with brake cleaner to get any oil off them. You can also scuff the surface of the drums with wire wool or fine wet/dry paper to give more grip to the shoe.

Make sure the cables are both free and no binding. Have someone hold the wheel end of the cable with a pair of pliers and see if when the brake handle is pulled if they move easily in can be pulled back easily.

Once you have re-assembled the brakes, wind the star wheel up until it locks the rear brakes. Back off 2-3 notches. Then tighten the cable end at the parking brake handle end to give 4-5 clicks to tight. Operate the parking brakes a few times and re-check it is maintaining the same 4-5 clicks to tight.

You may want to re-check after some use make sure that both wheels are still holding good. You may have to adjust again at the wheel to get the 2-3 notch position again.

Good Luck!

Neil.