Superformance E-Brake adjustment

MGlad · #1 (**permalink**) 08-07-2012, 04:50 PM

I got this Cobra back in April and there was a lot of slack in the linkage. I figured that was the source of the problem. Took all the slack out and the emergency brake still isn't grabbing. There isn't much more I can do with the linkage to tighten it up without it starting to pull on the cables. One thing I noticed was that the distance that the linkage moves from disengaged to engaged it at best 3/8". The opening where the front of the linkage connects to the bottom of the handle is minimal, you can only see the stop nut on the threaded part of the linkage where it connects to the bottom of the handle. Looking at the handle on the interior, I'd have to take out the passenger seat in order take off the boot and see what's under there. From what I can ascertain, I need more travel in the linkage pulling on the cables. Anybody have any input?

jhv48 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-07-2012, 05:17 PM

Take out the seat and pull the carpet back. There is an adjusting nut on the end of the rod that can be tightened quite a bit. Give that a try.

LENSJADE · #3 (**permalink**) 08-07-2012, 05:44 PM

I just did mine i removed the seat and the adjustment is right there under the boot mine would not hold the car at all now holds fine

len

Pman1961 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-07-2012, 06:34 PM

I have car number 2423. I had Olthoff adjust my E-brake prior to being shipped to my home. I noticed the E-brake pads rubbing on the rotor at times. I tried to adjust myself with same results. I've backed off the adjustment and placed a hose clamp to prevent the forks from moving around and cause the pad to drag the rotors. So currently I have no E-brake. I don't know how the current E-brakes work but from what I hear the E-brakes like mine and previous designs are poor and when they work they only work so so.

Blas · #5 (**permalink**) 08-07-2012, 07:07 PM

MGLAD,
There were a few different types of parking brakes used. So your car number would be helpful here. Depending if you have a external rear caliper mounted, (Wilwood Spot Caliper) a drive shaft mounted, or the latest version, (Wilwood calipers with a internal park brake), don't expect a lot from the parking brake. It was once said (by ???) that these cars come with 2 guarantees, the top leaks and the parking brake doesn't work.... They will usually keep the car from blowing away in a stiff breeze, but... don't trust them on an incline...

vatdevil · #6 (**permalink**) 08-07-2012, 08:21 PM

Ford calipers on car 522 provide excellent park brakes. Wonder if newer cars could be retrofitted with them?

MGlad · #7 (**permalink**) 08-07-2012, 08:30 PM

Thanks guys for all the input. My car no. is 946. It has a separate caliper for the emergency brake. Calipers don't work well for an e-brake. Any current vehicle with rear disc brakes has a drum type e-brake integrated into the rotor. My next step is to take out the passenger seat and see whats under there as suggested. Hopefully the source of the slack is there. Right now, when I pull the handle, it moves the linkage very little, not enough to pull on the cables. I'm not expecting the e-brake to hold it completely, but at least it'll take some of the load off the tranny. Being a nervous Nelly by nature, I worry about it popping out of gear and rolling away