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

in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


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

Posted: 3/24/11 6:55pm Message 1 of 16
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Gloucester, VA - USA
Joined: 1/29/2005
Posts: 1453
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
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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The Money Pit.... and my niece

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

Posted: 3/24/11 11:15pm Message 2 of 16
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York, PA - USA
Joined: 5/18/2010
Posts: 1518
Vette(s): 1969 daytona conv. all original 350 350 380 4 sp w/air..and hard top
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



My first parade at Carlisle 2010

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

Posted: 3/25/11 2:51am Message 3 of 16
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Burke, VT - USA
Joined: 1/23/2002
Posts: 7307
Vette(s):
SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible
SOLD - "The Beast" - '90 ZR-1 (#682)
SOLD - "Betty" - '28 Ford Model A Tudor
SOLD - "BLKBRRD" - '78 Pontiac Trans Am
"BLUBYU" - '04 Coupe
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.
 



Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

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

Posted: 3/25/11 3:36am Message 4 of 16
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Gloucester, VA - USA
Joined: 1/29/2005
Posts: 1453
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
Yeah the retaining springs and lock tops....On a normal vehicle it's easy, the hub isn't in the way...


Lifetime Member #73

The Money Pit.... and my niece

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

Posted: 3/25/11 11:40am Message 5 of 16
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Newport, MI - USA
Joined: 6/9/2005
Posts: 932
Vette(s): 1980 L-48 still in the middle of a frame-off.
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. 
 




Corvettes and women are the same...You want to make love to them but they keep breaking down.

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

Posted: 3/25/11 3:41pm Message 6 of 16
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Gloucester, VA - USA
Joined: 1/29/2005
Posts: 1453
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
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.


Lifetime Member #73

The Money Pit.... and my niece

(click to see a slightly larger version)

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

Posted: 4/16/11 4:37pm Message 7 of 16
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Sebago Lake, ME - USA
Joined: 2/15/2007
Posts: 964
Vette(s): 1978 Silver Anniversary L82 4spd (M21) Red Leather. Pace Car is in the hands of a new caretaker.
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)

Posted: 4/17/11 6:35am Message 8 of 16
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Tecumseh, MI - USA
Joined: 9/14/2003
Posts: 221
Vette(s): 1980 all org. with 18000 act. miles dk claret with matching interior..Eagle alloys ..loaded..excellent cond.
I use small needle nose plyers to pull the pin through the retainer..Wink


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

Posted: 4/17/11 9:46am Message 9 of 16
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Woodland, WA - USA
Joined: 10/14/2003
Posts: 1171
Vette(s): 1977 T-Top,350,Auto Black Ruby Pearl,Steeroids R&P conversion
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)

Posted: 4/17/11 4:51pm Message 10 of 16
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Sebago Lake, ME - USA
Joined: 2/15/2007
Posts: 964
Vette(s): 1978 Silver Anniversary L82 4spd (M21) Red Leather. Pace Car is in the hands of a new caretaker.
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


in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


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