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Topic: Help...Please help me (E-Brake)

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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Help...Please help me (E-Brake) (1/16)
 3/24/11 9:55pm
JimGLifetime Member
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Gloucester, VA - USA

Vette(s):
1979 T-Top, Metallic Green ZZ4 350/355 hp 405 ft/lbs torque Dual Spal Fans 700R4 4 Spd O/D Transmission 2004 Z06 Commemorative Edition


Joined: 1/29/2005
Posts: 1453

I took the E-Brake shoes off to replace them and now I can't get them back on. 

Someone talk me off the ledge...please.....




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Help...Please help me (E-Brake) (2/16)
 3/25/11 2:15am
yostusota
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York, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1969 daytona conv. all original 350 350 380 4 sp w/air..and hard top


Joined: 5/18/2010
Posts: 1518

Jim I feel your pain..these cars don't lend themselves to an easy repiar on the shoes..there are some special tools to make this job can I even say easier..the shop manual that I have for a 70 shows a hook tool you make out of some sort of metal scrap..idk..I think the modern spring hook tool worked fine..what part can you not get back on?   I assume the retaining springs?

Rich

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Help...Please help me (E-Brake) (3/16)
 3/25/11 5:51am
NorskyLifetime Member
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Burke, VT - USA

Vette(s):
SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible
SOLD - "The Beast" - '90 ZR-1 (#682)
SOLD - "Betty" - '28 Ford Model A Tudor
Still have - "BLKBRRD" - '78 Pontiac Trans Am


Joined: 1/23/2002
Posts: 7190

I replaced everything without any special brake tools, but they certainly would have made the job easier.  Whenever there are two (or more) of something I'm working on I do one at a time so I have a reference out how it is supposed to be.  Don't know if you're beyond that point or not.
 
But the whole parking brake setup is basically a drum brake so if a Chilton's or Haynes repair manual for the Vette doesn't have a good step-by-step explanation of the process (with pictures) any manual for a car with drum brakes will cover the 99% of what you need to do.
 


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Jim Olson 

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Help...Please help me (E-Brake) (4/16)
 3/25/11 6:36am
JimGLifetime Member
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Gloucester, VA - USA

Vette(s):
1979 T-Top, Metallic Green ZZ4 350/355 hp 405 ft/lbs torque Dual Spal Fans 700R4 4 Spd O/D Transmission 2004 Z06 Commemorative Edition


Joined: 1/29/2005
Posts: 1453

Yeah the retaining springs and lock tops....On a normal vehicle it's easy, the hub isn't in the way...

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Help...Please help me (E-Brake) (5/16)
 3/25/11 2:40pm
indy99
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Newport, MI - USA

Vette(s):
1980 L-48 still in the middle of a frame-off.


Joined: 6/9/2005
Posts: 932

I have saw an article where they compressed the springs and then used dental floss to keep them compressed.  Put the spring in a vise. After getting the retainers on they cut the floss and pull it out and your done.
 
I know, I know, I'm terrible at drawing but I take good photos. 
 


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Help...Please help me (E-Brake) (6/16)
 3/25/11 6:41pm
JimGLifetime Member
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Gloucester, VA - USA

Vette(s):
1979 T-Top, Metallic Green ZZ4 350/355 hp 405 ft/lbs torque Dual Spal Fans 700R4 4 Spd O/D Transmission 2004 Z06 Commemorative Edition


Joined: 1/29/2005
Posts: 1453

darn good idea...I was thinking safety wire but cutting it would be a pain..dental floss all I need is a small scissors...I like it.

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The Money Pit.... and my niece

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Help...Please help me (E-Brake) (7/16)
 4/16/11 7:37pm
Jeffm
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Sebago Lake, ME - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Silver Anniversary L82 4spd (M21) Red Leather. Pace Car is in the hands of a new caretaker.


Joined: 2/15/2007
Posts: 964

Did you get this done, Jim??
I tried to do mine today. Was going good until I tried to do the spring with the retainer clip.Wits EndWits End 2 hours and it still aint on and 3 more to go. Talk about driving a man to swear. I might just attach a big stick that drags on the ground when I pull up on the brake lever.
Anybody else got any tricks?
Help...Please help me (E-Brake) (8/16)
 4/17/11 9:35am
maintenance4
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Tecumseh, MI - USA

Vette(s):
1980 all org. with 18000 act. miles dk claret with matching interior..Eagle alloys ..loaded..excellent cond.


Joined: 9/14/2003
Posts: 221

I use small needle nose plyers to pull the pin through the retainer..Wink
Help...Please help me (E-Brake) (9/16)
 4/17/11 12:46pm
rraider1
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Woodland, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1977 T-Top,350,Auto Black Ruby Pearl,Steeroids R&P conversion


Joined: 10/14/2003
Posts: 1165

does this help

Install the rear shoe to the trapped hold down pin. Use needle nose pliers to hold pin into place.

Install the spring and retainer with another pair of needle nose pliers. This is where patience comes into

play. There really isn’t any trick to do this ... Just time and patience. After you have installed the rear shoe

retainer, go to the front shoe retainer. Swing the front shoe partly back out so that the front hold down

spring and washer can be squeezed between the shoe and axle flange from the outside. Slide the spring

and washer over the center hole of the shoe. Guide the front hold down pin into the shoe hole and through

the spring and slot in the retainer washer from the rear of the backing plate. Use a second pair of needle

nose pliers from outside of the axle flange to push down on the retainer washer, turn the retainer 1/4 turn

and secure it to the pin. Now swing the shoe back into place.

Help...Please help me (E-Brake) (10/16)
 4/17/11 7:51pm
Jeffm
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Sebago Lake, ME - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Silver Anniversary L82 4spd (M21) Red Leather. Pace Car is in the hands of a new caretaker.


Joined: 2/15/2007
Posts: 964

Went back out and got it done today. Floss is a great idea. I had the article from Corvette Mag. I did the back before hooking on the top spring. Front is easier, you can hold the pin out from behind. Found this to be easier than trying to get it through the hub. Still a pain.


Jeffm2011-04-17 17:13:01
Help...Please help me (E-Brake) (11/16)
 4/17/11 8:43pm
ricks79vette
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Show Low, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1979 T Top coupe


Joined: 9/27/2010
Posts: 8

I actually have repaired the E brake several times, and yes a real pain in the %#$&   My problem was that the lever that contacts the rear shoe kept sliding inward, and the ebrake quit working.  I am going to remove the hubs (yeah, I know - a lot of work - but we all hahve to lube the outer bearings sometime), and add a spot weld to the lever that inserts thru the backing plate.  I will let everyone know how it works.  As for the needle nose pliers that has been mentioned in previous posts, Snap-on makes real good needle nose pliers that are small enough to reach thru the hole, and still grip the pin.  Other brands will just frustrate you. 

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Help...Please help me (E-Brake) (12/16)
 4/17/11 11:18pm
jp75vette
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Bloomfield Hills, MI - USA

Vette(s):
1975 Corvette coupe, 4 speed manual, 383 ci 9.5:1,Edelbrock dual plane Air Gap intake, Alum Heads,Comp Cam, roller Rockers, PS,PB,Tilt


Joined: 6/29/2008
Posts: 199

I used zip ties to compress spring and then cut the tie with diagonal pliers.
 
Help...Please help me (E-Brake) (13/16)
 4/18/11 8:36pm
danascar
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Germansville, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1974 Coupe 358ci 4 speed Black w/Medium Saddle interior w/79 custom leather seats. . 1999 C5 Convertible, 6 speed, Atomic orange, Oak interior.


Joined: 1/28/2010
Posts: 858

Geez...just had a parking brake shoe and stainlees steel hardware kit delivered yesterday...I'm really thrilled to hear all this good news!!  Confused

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DanT

Help...Please help me (E-Brake) (14/16)
 4/18/11 9:02pm
ricks79vette
Former Member

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Show Low, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1979 T Top coupe


Joined: 9/27/2010
Posts: 8

forgot to mention, Best to have two good quality Needlenose pliers if you plan on leaving the Hubs in place.  The Floss that was mentioned in previous posts is something that I would also reccommend.

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Help...Please help me (E-Brake) (15/16)
 4/18/11 9:28pm
Jeffm
Former Member

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Sebago Lake, ME - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Silver Anniversary L82 4spd (M21) Red Leather. Pace Car is in the hands of a new caretaker.


Joined: 2/15/2007
Posts: 964

Once I compressed the springs with thin vise grips and tied them with floss it wasn't too bad. Reaching in there was kinda like that old game "Operation" where the nose lights up and buzzes if you touch the side with the tweezers. LOL
A good set of eyes helps also.
Help...Please help me (E-Brake) (16/16)
 4/18/11 9:37pm
ricks79vette
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Show Low, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1979 T Top coupe


Joined: 9/27/2010
Posts: 8

While I'm at it, have any of you had a problem with the actuation lever not staying in contact with the brake shoe?  (Hence the reason I am having to remove the hubs to place a "bead" of weld on the lever just inside the backing plate to keep it from slipping away from the shoe)   I have installed New springs, levers, and shoes!

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