Last summer I converted my stock '82 Z28 J65 brake system over to the 1LE front PBR brake system along with the matching rear PBR system from '89 and newer f-bodies.The swap went well/easy and I love the way these new brakes work.Problem I am having is the e-brake doesn't work..well it does every now and then??I would have to say every 2 out of 10 times I pull up on the e-brake handle in my Z..it doesn't hold at all.But then every now and then it does work and holds excellent.When it doesn't there is almost no resistance in the handle when pulling it up.I then adjusted the cables under the car by tightening up the equalizer in the tranny tunnel.That didn't work.So then I set the parking brake free travel as per the Chilton and Haynes manual.Again no difference.What am I missing?I need to get this thing working to pass inspection and right now it's a roll of the dice if it will work or not when I get it inspected.Please..someone help!!!The only thing I didn't swap was the actual e-brake handle assembly from an '89 or newer car?Are they even different from the original one in my '82??

 

Humm, well, I've done the swap too, both front and rear, but the parking brake works well enough to hold on an incline. I assume the parking brake lever itself is the same from 82-92, but.... Did you replace the e-brake cables themselves? Are the return springs in place? Here's a link that provides some info and pics that "might" be helpful:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=249098

JamesC

 

Yeah..new e-brake cables and the springs are there.It is exactly how it should be..that's why I don't understand how they only work sometimes.

 

How well are the rear brakes holding? Did you clean and lube the sliders?

JamesC

 

Yeah they have been cleaned and recleaned and greased..on top of them being brand new.Actually all of the parts used in the entire swap were brand new throughout.I think I got one of the last set of caliper cradles when I ordered everything for the swap.That's part of what confuses me on this.I used all brand new parts so as to hopefully rule out any future failures from age or use..and I can't get this e-brake to work every time to save my life.And being as my car is manual I always use the e-brake whenever it is parked.Hell...I used to use the thing when getting gas.Like I said, it will hold as it is supposed to even on a steep incline and the car in neutral every 2 out of 10 times.Just not EVERY time!!

 

Could the parking brake cables be somehow installed incorrectly? Perhaps a silly suggestion, but I'm fishing here.

JamesC

 

Well I just read your link above to see if maybe I missed something.The only thing I can see is that I do not have the e-brake guides on mine.They do run the same way..over the rear and held with large tie straps away from exhaust or any other moving parts and then on to each caliper.Can't see it being that.But either way I want to pick up those guides from GM.Do you remember what they ran you by chance?

P/N 10285819 R and 10285818 L..stole your pic..sorry

 

The guides were two or three bucks apiece as I recall. Your cables are attached at the calipers, then through guides if you have them, up to a body mount (a slot which accepts the metal end of the cable housing and holds it in place), then the cable itself slips over a 'lip' which keeps it in place, and finally is attached to the equilizer, right?

JamesC

 

Yeah

 

I guess you're back to the parking brake mechanism. I'm stumped. Just noticed this:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...threadid=57937

JamesC

 

Thanks for the help man..appreciate it.