E Brake problems!

[gbeaird]

Well, it is now time to get the SVO inspected. They wouldn't go a step further as the ebrake wouldn't stop the car (it NEVER has). I tried adjusting the rear calipers, but no dice. A couple of degrees tighter than they already were, and I could not get the calipers back on.

I decided that maybe a little lube on the cables would help. I shot the ends of the cables that go through the casing and the two rub blocks on either side of the driveshaft with a spray lithium grease. I went out for a little drive.

Well, still had the same situation. Even when I yanked very hard on the ebrake handle, the car would slowly roll to a stop. The brakes seemed to hold the car better, but it would not hold the car half way up some car ramps of mine. Anyway, I yanked on the brake again to test it on the ramp, only this time, when I went to release the ebrake, there was NO tension on the handle. Checking the car, the brakes were still locked up.

After much looking, pulling and proding, it looks like it is binding toward the end where the cable comes out of the casing by the caliper.

How do I fix this? More lube? Different lube? HELP!

Gene Beaird
86 2R SVO
Pearland, Texas

[svocudd]

E-brakes

Gene,

I have heard of alot of people soaking "frozen" e-brake cables in WD-40.

Good Luck


Cudd

[kiwi]

Same, Same.......

I gots the same prob........I haven't dealt with it yet......

[gbeaird]

Paul replied privately. Either soak them in WD-40 and graphite, or replace them. Since I will have to pull them out of the car anyway, I have a pair on order.

Gene Beaird

[Pat_in_L.A.]

Stuff that kicks butt

One of the best products that I've used over several decades of frozen choke cables, frozen nuts and bolts is the MoPar heat valve solvent spray. The name on the can may have changed but it remains a favorite in many shops.

[gbeaird]

I am guessing that you have to go to a Dodge dealer to get this stuff? Never seen it.

Gene Beaird

[gbeaird]

Update!

Well, I got the Bendix brake cables. Relatively easy install. Tip: Use a 1/2 inch boxed end wrench to 'unclip' the casing clip that goes through the bracket on the body. After having my wife help me hook the ebrake handle end up, all was better. Unfortunately, the Bendix brake lever that goes to the caliper has holes that don't fit the clevis pin. After going out and buying some new Dremmel bits and getting it ground out to fit the old clivis pins, I found out the factory pine were too short! Went and got a set of Universal pins (all I could find) and after installing them, cut them, so they didn't hang out too much.

No real change in braking effort. I pull the brake handle, and the brakes don't really hold the car much more than my siezing cables did before. I even adjusted the end up by the brake handle as much as I saw fit, and still the ebrake won't hold the car on a slant.

And another thing, the 'equalizer' that is on the handle end of things seems to be about 1" shorter for the passenger side of the system than the driver's side of the system, even though the cable P/Ns are the same, and everything seems installed properly. Don't know what is up with that.

Oh well, it is off to have another arbitrary inspection done to see if I can get the car to pass. I REALLY hate TxDOT!

Gene Beaird
86 2R SVO
Pearland, Texas