Hello all. I just got a 90' Firebird Formula with rear disc brakes. I bought it from out of state and just failed Texas safety inspection(although it passed the emissions with flying colors). Reason for the fail was the parking brake. I did a search and found some information on my problem but not enough to fix it.

I have rear disc brakes, and the 2nd generation(90-92) "self adjusting" parking brake. This set up of course is awful. I did a brake check and nothing I do can get the back tires to lock up, only the fronts. The rotors are not rusted though and so I know they are doing something, but not enough to please me.

I MUST have a parking brake that holds the car in place in gear while the engine is at idle.

So, here is my question. Can I get a set of brake rotors, pads and calipers from a 98-02 F-body, and it all bolt onto my 3rd gen axle? If I do that, what else do I need to do in order to set up the parking brake. I must have a proper parking brake, and want to have rear brakes that actually do their job as well. Thanks in advance, Rodney.

 

no the brake set up will not bolt up to your model but heres an easy way to fix this you should be able to take the whole rearend out of a 97 to 02 and that should all bolt up with few modifications but bro to be honest the best was to go is to go to summit they make a kit that you can buy to swap your drum to disk and its pretty inexpencive

 

I allready have rear disc brakes. I am scouring the web looking for a 98-02 compelte axle or just the rear brake assembly(since thats all i will pull off the complete axle anyway). I just want to make sure that will work for what I need.

 

Well I hate to disagree with 87_ta_305_4bbl but the LS1 style disks will bolt up to a 82-92 disk axle. And with minor mods will bolt onto a drum rear.

You will have to do a little work to get the ebrake working. You can use the 4th gen cables, brake cable bracket, and e-brake handle. Or Ed Miller has special cable to adapt the LS1 style brakes.

You wll really like the LS1 style brakes. That little parking brake really holds.

 

My 89 has the rear axle from an 83 Trans Am which had disc brakes. The LS1 backing plates bolted right up to the axle flanges with no modifications. I took all the cables and brackets for the e-brake assembly from the donor car from the handle to the rotors, including the bracket in the tunnel. I also had a lot of internet help from alloy (thanks Dan).

In this shot, looking from the rear, you can see where I ground off the front of the stock bracket to make room for the 4th gen bracket.



And this shot, looking from the front, shows the 4th gen bracket installed (bolted in) with the cables attached.



More information on my job is available here

http://cascadecrew.org/phpBB2/viewto...light=ls1+rear

 

a pic of my ebrake cable bracket

 

simple.if you dont have too much of a money isse ls1 baby.they bolt right on,spend the 100 dollars and get the cables from eb. all you need then are the ls1 brackets from an newer car. the brackets which bolt to the lower control arm mount and hold to e brake cable and brake lines. you might need new flex lineslonger) but should be ok with hard lines. if you go thru eb he has it all .you can try to use stock 4th gen cables but i prefer not to cut up my car or make parts. ilike to use the stock stuff as it was designed by gm by folk who know how to build a car. if you want to try 4th gen cables i have a nice stock set i cn ship to you for 30 bucks. (pm me)

on a side note a 4th gen rear will bolt in buttttttttttttttttttttttt is 2 inches wider than your rear therefore unless your buying new wheels with a different backspacing your stock wheel will stick out 1 in on each side(or is it 4 " total.2 on each?" ) either way the wheel sticking out of the fender look died with reagan and the 80s

 

Your very welcome Al.