Is the Parking Brake on?

[dogberry]

Whenever I put my 914 in neutral and coast down the driveway I hear a rubbing noise. Comes from the back side of the car. I think it is the parking brake becuase there is this red light on the dash that is always on. Below the light is a P symbol with a circle around it. I am almost sure it is the parking brake but when I take the wheels off the parking brake is disconnected. I am not ready to due major work to the brakes and driving it has stopped completely. Also, whenever I make a turn in the car say around a cholasack or court it makes a funny sounding rubbing noise as well. I would really like to know what the heck this is. Please lemme know, Jon Gerhart

[campbellcj]

Could be lots of things...wheel bearings, sticking caliper, trashed brake pads...really tough to say w/o seeing or hearing it.

[JP Noonan]

A "rub,silence,rub,silence,rub," MAY be the brake calipers are not retracting properly meaning the seals are bad or the pistons are siezed.

A continuous rubbing MAY be the tire rubbing the fender or wheel well from a number of things. Bad alighnment, sagging rear springs and shocks, too large a tire (205/15 on some stock wheels 195/15 on the others, or worst case the suspension console has rotted out (a common 914 problem) and the rear suspension is colapsing. If one of the rear wheels is angled in toward the car at the top and out at the bottom more than the other side it is most likely the susp console. Look around this site for a FAQ or buyers guide it will tell you more.

Bearings usally make a groaning noise, but like the other post said this is a hard thing to type about, we need to hear it, or you need to go full out and start to measure and rebuild everything in the rear.

Oh and that light can either be the switch at the bottom of the parking brake handle or the low pressure sender in the master cylinder. The low pressure sender can be re-set, there is a buttom that pops out on the M/C just push it back in. Then bleed the brakes to be sure there wasn't an air bubble in there that set it off.

[This message has been edited by JP Noonan (edited 09-29-2000).]

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Actually, the light being on steadily is an indication that some of the electrical bits are hooked up wrong. The M/C switch and the parking brake switch would make it blink, but not be on steady.

If you want to find out why the light is on, you'll have to dig into the wiring diagram and try to match up the wire colors on the diagram with the wire colors on your car.

The sound could be as simple as a tire rubbing on the fenders. Check the inner and outer fenders for rub marks, and the tires as well. It could also be a zillion other things...

--DD

[Jackal]

Hi Dogberry,

Something I would do first is look under the car to see if the parking brake is attached to the wire. It may not be attached to the little hook behind the wheel.

Take off the wheel and see if it is. If it is not you maybe driving with the parking brake always on and the last time I check that wont be to good for the car.

[Conrad W Peden]

Try the switch under the handle. It looks like one of the door/light switches(little black button). Mine's pooched and the light is on and off all the time.

Conrad
72 L20E in rusto
73 L20E in resto. http://members.rennlist.com/a914lover


[This message has been edited by Conrad W Peden (edited 10-01-2000).]

[Dave Bell]

Another source of potential rubbing is the "Guard plate" or "Dust Plate." It is the thin sheet metal disk just behind the brake disc. It can easily get bent and then rub rub in that one off fashion against the brake disc. BTDT


- Dave