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Topic: parking brake sticks on 74

in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


parking brake sticks on 74

Posted: 1/29/07 11:41am Message 1 of 7
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Klamath Falls, OR - USA
Joined: 2/1/2006
Posts: 1059
Vette(s): 74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles, all original; paint, interior, engine, split bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.
My parking brake sticks.  Not all the time, but sticks.  Especially when I am backing up.  And I need to fix.
 
I have found the 2 access holes in the rotor.  How do I loosen the parking brake shoes?  I can see the adjusting screw.  Is it right hand or left hand threads?  Do I pull up or down with screwdriver? 
 
To remove the rotor, what size drill bit do I use drill out rivets?  Do I have to worry about the depth I drill?  Hate to have to do this..looks like HARD WORK!!!
 
What about the lazy way out, and just "spray the crap" out of the parking brake area thru the 2 access holes with brake cleaner and let drain on floor in bucket?  Cables and everything else look OK.
 
Any other ideas????      thanks.......steveLOL




Steve, Lifetime Member #129

74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles,
all original; paint, interior, engine,
split  bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.
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parking brake sticks on 74

Posted: 1/29/07 11:59am Message 2 of 7
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Burke, VT - USA
Joined: 1/23/2002
Posts: 7312
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 overhauled the parking brakes on "The Toy" as part of a total 4 corner brake job a coule of years ago.  So if I can do it anyone can.  And I made it more difficult by not having all the right tools. 
 
Drilling out the rotor rivets isn't that hard.  Just try to stay as centered as possible on them and you'll be alright.  Use a drill bit that is a few sizes smaller than the rivet head and use light pressure.  You'll know when you've gone deep enough when the head of the rivet sticks on the end of the bit.
 
I replaced all the innards of the parking brake with a rebuild kit from Bair's.  I also replaced the side-to-side cable but not the one from the console back. 
 
I forget which way the adjusters spin but both the Chilton's and Haynes repair manuals have good step-by-step write-ups on the job.
 
Good luck...!!!
 



Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

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

parking brake sticks on 74

Posted: 1/29/07 4:52pm Message 3 of 7
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Work the screwdriver handle end down to loosen the brakes.


parking brake sticks on 74

Posted: 1/31/07 10:18am Message 4 of 7
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Klamath Falls, OR - USA
Joined: 2/1/2006
Posts: 1059
Vette(s): 74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles, all original; paint, interior, engine, split bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.
Thanks guys for the info.  I couldn't get the adjustment screw to turn either way.  Looking thru the hole, it looks nice and clean no rust.  Soaked it with pen. oil.  Maybe that will loosen it up.
 
Can anybody give me an exact drill size to use to drill out rivets?  Maybe somebody has an old rotor.  Thanks again....steve




Steve, Lifetime Member #129

74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles,
all original; paint, interior, engine,
split  bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.

parking brake sticks on 74

Posted: 1/31/07 3:32pm Message 5 of 7
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Pretty sure they are 5/16 rivets. Think this because I tapped the holes for 3/8"-16  flathead allen screws on my white 79. Didn't have to drill out the holes any, just ran the tap through em. I like to start small with a 3/16 drill bit, then 1/4" and last an 11/32" bit that should pop the head off the rivet. No need to drill all the way through, maybe 3/8" deep. Take a punch and knock the remnant of the rivet into the hub. Just make sure you get all 5 pieces out of there.  Mike mkapp78792007-01-31 15:33:24


parking brake sticks on 74

Posted: 1/31/07 9:00pm Message 6 of 7
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20225
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
When I first saw the title of this thread, I thought you were using sticks for your e-brake!


Those adjusters have a way of corroding from the inside, so even if it looks "clean" on the outside, they can still be stuck. Penetrate should get them to break loose, tho. Have you checked the cables, to make sure they are both releasing all the way?


Joel Adams
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parking brake sticks on 74

Posted: 1/31/07 9:15pm Message 7 of 7
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Had to put one of my parking brake adjusters in a vise to break the threads loose. This on a 12K mile car.

Someone had been in there before meAngry and backed them off all the way. Then they put the rotors back on with the adjusting holes missaligned. At least they drilled out the rivets for me. They work fine now, can't figure out why they would disable them.  Mike




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