Parking Brake Problem

[Clark K.]

Re: Parking Brake Problem

From John Seeley: "You mention a parking brake issue before you replaced the bearings. What was the issue? I am asking because I can not get my ['67] parking brake to work as well as it should. i.e.: on a slight incline car will still roll with it applied. My car only has 34k miles. I am going to go out on Tuesday and check for wheel bearing play. Crossing my fingers there as I am going to Tahoe in a few weeks!"

John, when I bought my '65, my parking brake would not hold my car on ANY incline. I took it to a Corvette shop that rebuilt the parking brake system which is a drum brake system inboard of the disc brakes. The shop found that my car's parking brake "shoes" were worn down to the rivets holding them together. The shop told me at the time that since the parking brake system is so labor intensive to repair/maintain, that many owners simply ignore it. They also told me that it is common for an inexperienced owner to drive the car with the parking brake engaged, thus wearing out the "shoes". -Clark

[John S.]

Re: Parking Brake Problem

Jerry and Michael,
I had to check the wheel bearings just knowing that I would be traveling almost 1000 mile round trip to Tahoe and guess what? They both move a considerable amount. Looking back from half shaft side I can see it move also! Now the mad thrash is going to be on to get these removed and new bearings in them asap. I will be cruise the posts to see how to remove the trailing arm assemblies and what to do with the brake calipers etc. Wish me luck

John Seeley

[Phil D.]

Re: Parking Brake Problem

I think there's a story on this in the upcoming summer Restorer.

Clark's recommended source is close by and they have everything in stock to turn them around in a couple of days, plus they said they can get it aligned correctly if I bring the vette in after reassembly. I was just tinkering with it a bit this evening after dinner. Luckily I was able to drive those long bolts through quite easily using a drift and mallet, but its going to be a trick to fish them the rest of the way out of that pocket between the frame upright and bracing and with the brake line brackets in the way. And even more of a trick to put them back in. Will have to search online for a "how to" article but brain is getting a little fuzzy tonight.

[Gerard F.]

Re: Parking Brake Problem

Phil,

Take a look at this thread (on a 67)

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...+bolt&uid=7103

When you put them back on, use the slotted shims. It makes things easier. Also have some extra washers handy for the pivot bolt on the outside, in case you need them.

Hope this helps,

[Gerard F.]

Re: Parking Brake Problem

John,

Are they moving from side to side, or in and out. They do have some end play which would give you some movement in and out. But if you have a considerable movement side to side, or up and down, then it is probably the bearings.

The warranty on the bearings was 50k miles or 5 years. So at 42 years and 34k miles you might have a bearing problem.

[John S.]

Re: Parking Brake Problem

Jerry,

Moving top to bottom. I would say total movement is close to 1/4". seems like that is pat "discernable". I have already ordered left and right refurbed assemblies from Duntov Motors. this was the only way I was going to be back on the road by Tahoe. May need to work on the car over Mothers day weekend. you know i'll have to pay for that! Also ordered new timken bearings and shims to rebuil my originals. Plenty of time for that! Thanks for your help (and everyone else's also)

John Sseeley
67 Black/Teal coupe

[Gerard F.]

Re: Parking Brake Problem

John,

Take a look at this thread on my backyard trailing arm replacement:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...+bolt&uid=7103

Looks like you won't have to worry abount the parking brake

See you in Tahoe.

[John S.]

Re: Parking Brake Problem

Jerry,
Tried the link and it did not work. Check your email/private messages. thanks for the help.
John