I have a 85 z and it has 4 wheel disk brakes but the e-brake doesnt work. When i pull the handle for it it gets tight as if it is working but it doesnt lock of put any stoping power. Have any ideas how to fix this or what might be wrong? PLease write back thnx

 

I have the same problem! Anyne know whats going on?

 

I have the same problem. We should all ban together and get GM to fix dis $hit.

 

Actually gm did make a fix for the problem. It is most likely your rear calipers. They put out a recall for 5 speed cars because they were roling down hills and hitting stuff but the autos got ignored. You can buy the rebuild kit for your rear calipers, and it should fix your problem and keep you from having it again in the future. You have to buy it from gm I believe though because I dont think that the normal ones from the parts stores fix the problems.

Ben

 

Thanks man,
Does anyone know what the kit includes. LOL, I bet my 89 style calipers are supposed to be the 'fixed' version aren't they? It hasn't worked since 1998.

 

Oh, I didnt see that yours was an 89. The recall I was talking about was for 82-88.

Ben

 

my 92 Z28 does the same thing and I just did a full rebuild on my whole brake system (minus brake lines, Stainless steel ones on the way)....

any ideas on this problem? i think it is a common prob amongst thirdgens.

 

i thought adjusting them would have worked but i guess not......
i too have the same problem w my 89'+ rear brakes

 

Garett, did you replace the rear calipers? Does the ebrake levers and stuff usually come with it?

 

My only real other guesses, would have to be either the lever or litttle peg it pushes on was worn down. You said you tighened the cable right so it isnt because of a stretched cable or anything right? You said that the lever is back as far as it can go? What wont let it back any further? If it is the bracket that the cable snaps into, AndyZ28 sells new improved brackets and many other parts. Do you think it is possible your bracket is bent to where it wont let the lever pull out all of the way? I would suggest possible buying his brackets if that is even a possibility, because they are new, and a lot more sturdy. It is a pain in the a** to put those little springs in though.

Ben

 

All I and many others need is a long rod that the lever pushes onto the calipers. Mine seems to be waaay to short and dangles around in there. The level moves fine but by the time it starts putting pressure on the pad through the rod, the lever maxes out on the other side of the mount.

 

I hear about this kit but no part number or name for it and i don't know what to tell the Gm parts department.

 

I dont know the part number, but if you have 82-88 disk brakes I you need the caliper rebuild kit. I would do a search on the boards as it has been metioned quite a few times. There might be a part number mentioned, I dont know. As far as your rod being to short that kind of sucks. Actually I would see if you could go to gm and order that part. They should be able to pull up diagrams with part numbers for all of the little parts like that. If they dont have it I dont think it would be to hard to make your own out of a metal rod if you found one the right diameter.

Ben

 

Ben...didn't know why I never thought of that before. It doesn't take much to get that rod out of there. I'm gonna take a look tonight and see if I can grind something a little longer. I'm VERY confident that will fix my problem (and most likely 65% of all over fbody ebrake problems!!)

 

Well, heres the Bulletin.

Bull/# 86C28
Section 5
Date June 1991

This bulletin covers 1982 to 1986 Chev Camaros w/rear dics brakes(RPO J65) and manual trannys. "Remember Recalls are Forever, so if any one has a 82 to 86 with a stick bring it in"

Kit part # is 18019028. When I bought the kit it was $35.42 retail.

I have installed this kit but it didn't help the handbrake problem but it did do away with the self adjusters on the rear. The self adjusters on the rear were used to keep the pads around .010" to .015" from the rotors. This also would give you less brake pedel travel. With the kit installed I have to every now and then adjust the rear brakes because as they wear the pads get further and further away from the rotors. When this happens you will get to much brake pedel travel resulting in a hard pedle and reduced braking. This is a bad setup.

Auggie

PS: Steve89GTA if you come up with a handbrake fix let everyone know. Thanks

 

What steve is talking about doing would only help those with 89+ rear disk brakes. I have had the 82-88 style, and then converted them to the 89+ and hand brake part works totally different. If you have a 89+ the cable attaches to a little lever, and when the lever is pulled it puches a small metal rod forward which pushes one side of the brake pad outwards against the rotor. What seems to be steve's problem and possibly some other peoples is that for some reason the rod that the lever pushes is to short be it due to wear or bad production or whatever. When the lever has reaced its furthest point of tension, the rod is still just barely pushing the pad out thus resulting in an ineffective parking break. He said that there is play in that rod on his car. For anyone for whome that is the case they could take a metal rod of the same diameter and cut a length of it just long enough that there is no play and then when it would begin to push the brake pad out as soon as the lever moved instead of beginning when the lever was almost all of the way out. If anyone has a problem with these brakes that would be something to check, but if there isnt play in where that rod goes, chances are its not your problem.

Ben

 

I'm in the process of finding some metal. I'll let everyone know if it works. (I think it will).