C-3 Park Brake (headaches)

[Thomas J. Mattingly]

Please, can anyone advise. I am restoring a 1979.The manuals seem to think changing park brake shoes can be done, without completely disassembling the spindle assembly. I use to think myself a fair mechanic, but this one has me. No matter how I try, I can't get enough needle nose pliers in there and still see what I am doing.

[Joe L.]

Re: C-3 Park Brake (headaches)

Thomas-----

It can be done; it's tricky but lots have folks have succeeded and you can, too. A relatively inexpensive tool available from most of the Corvette parts suppliers will make the job easier.

One thing, though: if the car is ready for new parking brake shoes, it's probably about ready for a trailing arm bearing replacement and rebuild. To do this, you have to remove the spindles. Then, it's easy to replace the parking brake shoes. Actually, though, unless you have experience at this and the proper tools, I would recommend sending the units out for rebuild, including new parking brake shoes.

[Bill Braun 33186]

Re: C-3 Park Brake (headaches)

Thomas,

I did the same repair on a C2 and it can be rather trying. I found that if I followed the instructions provided by Vette Brakes (who did excellent work BTW), it went very (ie fairly) well.

Bill Braun 33186

[Thomas J. Mattingly]

Re: C-3 Park Brake (headaches)

Hey Joe;

You where right, it can be done!! The big trick is to spread the adjuster as far as possible. Of course that cheap little tool comes in very handy at the end.

[Thomas J. Mattingly]

Re: C-3 Park Brake (headaches)

Thanks Bill.