calling ebrake experts

na2ub · 08-21-2012, 10:03 AM

My ebrake quit working. I have the rear apart, now, and what I have concluded is that the left side has too much slack.

With the cables connected to the ebrake assembly, the left side has too much slack to keep tension on the butterfly spreaders.

With the cables DISconnected, the left side moves in / out and inch or so when I pull up / push down on the ebrake handle (seems normal). The right side, however, doesn't move with this operation.

Note that the right side, when connected, keeps proper tension on the butterflies.

I am guessing there is a problem at the ebrake handle, allowing the left side to pull / push, but the right side is somehow stuck. I cannot physically get the right side cable to move in / out.

schumicat · 08-21-2012, 11:22 AM

slack can be taken out of or added to each side by adjusting cable length (loosen locknut near the rear wheel and turn the other nut to make cable longer or shorter).

there is an equalizer which makes the pull equal on each side. see the tech article in the tech info section of host site.

na2ub · 08-21-2012, 11:37 AM

I think i understatand the concept, but with all cables at the rear disconnected, shouldn't I be able to pull on one, to make the equalizer shift, making the other side retract, and visa versa? The right side cable will not move in / out of its housing. i.e. When I pull the ebrake, the right side cable does nothing, but remains stuck in the same position.

lsf911 · lsf911's Garage

I would remove the screws holding down the e-brake lever assembly and look at the cables there. They should be hooked onto the equalizer lever, one on each side. If one side came off the other side would still work somewhat. Probably not enough to hold the car but would still move back and forth with pulling on the lever.

If the cables are both connected and one doesn't move then you may need to replace it.

schumicat · 08-21-2012, 12:56 PM

I think you can see the equalizer (and whether the cables are attached to it) by pulling up the rubber boot. there are holes drilled in the housing for that purpose.

na2ub · 08-21-2012, 09:56 PM

Ok. Pulled the handbrake and inspected cables. Both are attached. When brake is up, equalizer is level, and the cable ends at the back are both out about 1.5 inches. Put the hadbrake down, and only the left cable in the back protrudes an extra 1.5 inches, to 3 inch total. Right cable doesn't change from 1.5 inches out. Looking at the equalizer, it just rotates, with the right side staying pretty much put, and the left side doing all the moving, back and forth, with the handbrake going up and down.

Conclusion, somehow, somewhere, the right hand cable is stuck. I will probably just replace both cables (at a later date). Gotta get it back together after replacing the rear bearings. Just have to put the hubs back in and swap out the cv joints with new.

Anyone done the ebrake cables? How much of a PITA?

na2ub · 08-22-2012, 10:32 AM

Progress! Anyone else work on their cars during their lunch hour?

After pulling and pushing and twisting and soaking with liquid wrench, the right side cable end freed itself. Now both sides seem to be operating properly. Tonight, I will get the ebrakes attached, and adjusted, which I hope will now be a piece of cake!