Emergency brake adjustment

[russde]

Hi everyone,

I replaced my rear calipers this weekend as mine had developed a leak. The pads were in decent shape so I did not replace them, basically just disconnected the e-brake levers...unbolted the calipers...and bolted on the new ones.

Problem: Before my e-brake would work but only at the very top of the handles travel. Now the handle goes right to the top and the brakes are only barely starting to catch.

Question: Is there an external adjustment? My manual only states to pump the pedal slowly 30 times. Surely there is another way to adjust....basically I just need to reduce the travel of the cable.

TIA,
Russ

[SVOeric]

russ -- when you install the new calipers, did you adjust the pistons ??

the pistons on these can be screwed in to adjust how far they are from the rotor. There is a measurement, but I don't remember it off the top of my head (3/32 ??)

there is also a adjustment (I haven't seen this on my SVO, but I assume it would still be in the same place) if you lift the handle on your e-brake, there is a stud with a couple of nuts on it. You can adjust it with this, but it sounds like you need to do the above part first.

[Pat_in_L.A.]

Factory Manual says:

12-70-4, figure 4

Make sure each rear disc brake is properly adjusted by moving the caliper lever in the applied direction. If the lever moves more than 20 degrees , using hand pressure or 344 kPa (50 psi) maximum, adjust the service brakes per section 12-25.

12-25 ; (partial)

A clearance greater than 3/32" may allow the adjuster to be pulled out of the piston when the service brake is applied. This will cause the parking brake mechanism to fail to adjust. It is then necessary to replace the piston/adjuster assembly following the procedures under Overhaul.

(This has been a problem for me on a few occasions as well. Basically, before pumping the service brake, the above must be done, and if clearance is greater than 3/32", you remove the caliper and turn the piston counter clockwise until the proper clearance has been attained. If you just adjust the cable tighter, you are effectively limiting the travel that the arm will move. and therefore are limiting the parking brake's clamping force)