1975 e-brake cable out of adjustment??

[allaircooled]

Hello everyone!

I finally got around to checking out why my e-brake wasn’t working on my passenger side. This could have been a problem since the previous owner I really don’t know for sure. Any how I removed the rotor and found it like in the photo.



In PET it is called a expanding bow. There are two per side. Both on the passenger side were loose and not engaging the e-brake shoes. I thought this would be an easy fix so I removed the shoes and reinstall them with the shoes now engaged with the expanding bows. I get it all back together and pull the e-brake handle and the e-brake engages in four clicks. Success!

Well success was short lived, as I was checking by released the handle and re-engaging the e-brake the shoes popped out of the expanding bow again. This time locking my shoes to the drum. I managed to get the rotor off again though.

What is causing these shoes to pop out? Is the parking brake cable out of adjustment somehow causing this to happen?

[pete3799]

Are you certain all 4 bows were seated correctly?
Is the other brake shoe retaining spring (not visible in your picture) installed?
A loose cable won't cause your problem.

[allaircooled]

Originally Posted by pete3799

Are you certain all 4 bows were seated correctly?
Is the other brake shoe retaining spring (not visible in your picture) installed?
A loose cable won't cause your problem.

Yes all 4 bows were seated and the retaining spring was installed. I have an idea and I’m trying to find a photo of an original shoe. I don’t know if these were ever replaced but if you look at the shoe the end where the bows are sticks out a little bit. I’m thinking that extra length isn’t allowing the bows to seat all the way onto the shoes.

[allaircooled]

I’m thinking I was wrong in my last post. I am wondering if I should have this much play in the cable though.

[Rodsrsr]

I had the same issue and finally got around to fixing it. Pushed both of the tabs back in, readjusted the cables and e-brake works perfectly. I'm also curious as to the cause of the tabs popping out. I'm guessing if the e-brake is not adjusted and there is too much slack in the cable it may cause the tabs to pop off??

[allaircooled]

After removing and re-installing the rotor and e-brake shoes for like eleventeen times I think I got it. I also got pretty good at installing those springs. For the cone shaped springs that hold the shoes in place I used a 8mm socket on a 6 inch extension. Makes it pretty darn easy.