dragsta

what is the most common cause of an 86 TA parking brake failure? i haven't looked under there because one of my a-hole neighbors called the city on me for working on my car in the driveway so i have to keep a low profile for a while.

Tibo

iTrader: (15)

Is it a disc or drum rear end? Is the brake handle at or almost 90° when pulled? Do the rear brakes work well?
I've heard of HOAs (mine included) that don't allow you to work on cars in plain sight but a city? There's a city ordinance against what you can do on your private property?

dragsta

disks all around. the handle seems to work fine and is not at 90º. i haven't checked the back brakes yet.

no HOA just city turds. i don't have any immediate neighbors either so someone is just messing with me. i had the TA up on jackstands to put on tires.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Delco Moraine rear disk calipers is probably the source of the problem. They're known for having a faulty parking brake system, even to the point of a recall and TSB to attempt to resolve the problem. Eventually GM switched to PBR calipers.

Dig around a bit, should be a lot of info in old threads about the problem and how to fix it.

dragsta

that's what i needed to know. THANKS

dragsta

i tried to get recall info but failed. is there a link? if i can get it fixed for free, that's what i'll do.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

LOL Good luck with that. No, seriously, it's been over 30 years. GM doesn't have the parts anymore, even if they wanted to. You're completely on your own at this point. Even back when GM would fix it, they didn't go out of their way to fix it.

More info >>> http://www.ws6transam.org/1LEbrake.html#repair

dragsta

ok, thanks for that link..... this is why i've decided to sell my GM products and drive Hondas. GM engineers have been morons for decades.

dragsta

is there a thread here on how to CHEAPLY fix this problem? can i just get some used 4th gen calipers on ebay?

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Sorry, you lost me at Honda...

A) Fix what you got. - Might work, might not.
B) Upgrade - works, but expensive (relatively)
C) Junkyard drum brake rear - cheap, would work, sucks *****.
D) Honduh.

Tibo

iTrader: (15)

If you already have a disc rear then you can purchase an adapter plate from big brake upgrade. It will bolt it and allow you to run the thirdgen PBR calipers or the LT1 (also PBR) calipers.

dragsta

yes, i have rear disks. what exactly is this "adapter plate" and will it fix the parking brake issue? i'm at bigbrakeupgrade now but don't know what to search for. is this the easiest, cheapest way to fix the parking brake issue?

thanks!

dragsta

how can i tell if this car has had the parking brake recall fix? i looked at it today but can't tell. i took two pics but only one came through.... i see a spring underneath and some weights. the rear brakes are not biding and by the look of the rotors, they are working because the rotors were rusty from sitting.

is there a tutorial on this problem on this site somewhere?

dragsta

i don't want to upgrade. i'm not going to pour a lot of money into this car. i like it a lot but let's face it... it's an 80's GM product with a ton of engineering flaws. these cars are cool if you undo what GM did wrong but that's going to cost a lot of money. what's the simplest fix for this parking brake problem?

also: i love honda products. i just bought a 95 white del sol with a spoiler. i had one in texAss just like it. super reliable and simple to work on. at this stage of my life i don't need any big car projects. "time is the most valuable thing that you can spend". if i can get this Trans Am driving well, i'll paint it and decide if i want to sell or not. i'd like to drive it for a while though and see if it's reliable because i really like the way it looks and rides. but i have to fix this parking brake problem asap.

pics: my 72 formula firebird and my wonderful pitbull doggie, Shimi. My 62 Chev that i still have and my my first honda del sol after i painted it. i found another EXACTLY LIKE IT. incredible. delivered to my home for $1,625. lol...

Drew

iTrader: (58)

I don't understand what is so difficult about this...

A) Fix what you got. - Might work, might not.
You can try fixing the iron caliper discs. Maybe adjust the cables. Make sure the e-brake portion of the calipers work.. New calipers, new e-brake cables, bleed and adjust everything just right... Might work, might not.

B) Upgrade - works, but expensive (relatively)
Convert to 89-92 or 93-97 calipers. Not cheap unless you find a parts car in a junkyard or being parted out. Definitely works better than the pre-89 rear discs.

C) Junkyard drum brake rear - cheap, would work, sucks *****.
They work. They're cheap. They're easy to find. They're just not fashionable.

D) Honduh.
The nuclear option... F it all! If I can't E-brake, I won't Thirdgen at all!

Driving a thirdgen in 2017 isn't cheap. It just is what it is.

dragsta

it's not difficult. disk brakes are easy. what i don't understand is: what is the nature of the parking brake recall? what fails? what exactly is the problem with the brake adjuster mechanism? did they replace something that's obvious to see? if so what was it? everyone says replace the calipers but why? what is wrong with the stock calipers?

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Stock rear calipers are the problem. Screw type pistons that "freeze up" from not being used. E-brake has to be used all the time to keep things adjusted and moving.
Option 1: replace with remans from local parts house and hope they work 4 maybe a yr.
Option 2: upgrade the rear disc with 89-97 (easiest) or 98-02 pbr rear brakes.
with these 2 options, you will have to change parking brake cables and some minor things.
It's completely worth the upgrade.

dragsta

thanks TTOP350. that's what i needed to know. the screw mechanism is designed in conjunction with the parking brake so when the brake is applied it screws the pads closer to the disk?

dragsta

don't forget..... japan retaught America how to build a good car.