62 Parking Brake Again

[John T.]

I am reposting as I has no answers and this is all that stands between me and my PV attempt.

Service brakes are adjusted well enough for hands off, firm application at 50 mph. Parking brake is adjusted per the ST-12. Parking brake works perfectly to prevent forward motion but has almost no effect on reverse motion.

Any thoughts at all would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Terry D.]

Re: 62 Parking Brake Again

John
Maybe the reason for no answers is you really are not posing a question, more of a statement. Are you asking if the parking brake should work in reverse? Mine doesn't do much in reverse and I don't think they were designed to work as well in reverse.

You say it is adjusted per ST-12, does the handle come out to the end when applied? Have you tried to adjust it a little tighter? Try to remember you are not dealing with a new car. Just my 2 cents
Terry

[Dave Suesz]

It's a

drum brake, so don't expect much from it backward. This is not unique, it's true of GM, Ford, etc. It's not really a parking brake, it's an emergenccy brake, and I don't think the designers were very concerned with rearward brake failure. If you have an auto trans, you have little use for a parrking brake, and if you have a manual trans, it should be parked in gear, especially if facing uphill, even a little.

Your observation of the function of your e-brake tells me it is operating normally.

[Verle R.]

Re: 62 Parking Brake Again

John,

The parking brake should have some effect in reverse.

First check to make sure the rear brake shoes are adjusted properly. If they are too loose the parking brake will not work well.

If the parking brake still does not work well, adjust it a little tighter as long as it completely releases when off.

Verle

[Don Y.]

Re: 62 Parking Brake Again

Regarding the parking brake function in reverse. The shoes will rotate in contact with the drum and wedge against the anchor pin when the vehicle is rolling forward, that's why the emergency brake works well in that direction. Some of the reason is due to the design difference in the primary and secondary shoes, the primary shoe having more friction material at the top end nearest the anchor. I would verify the shoes are installed properly and the lever and equalizer bar are working correctly. The brake should have some effect in reverse but will not hold solid like when applied in a forward direction.