Parking Brake works forward but not backward

onefastmustang · #1 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 10:22 PM

So I had a little suprise. I usually park my car facing down the driveway but the other parked it facing up and the parking brake didn't hold it. But it hold's facing the other direction. What's up with that.?? Rear drums by the way. Probably going away later this year for disc but for the meantime I should fix that.

Double Venom · #2 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 03:28 AM

O.F.M.,
Normal....because of the rotation of the drums against the pads. Many times the brake will slip in a rearward motion-pads are not tight against the drums! Easy fix though, crawl underneath and tighten the cables a little. Nice to find out this way before something negative happens, Friend of mine with a Unique had a hydraulic emergency brake set up, left it running on a small down hill slope only to come back and see his Cobra sitting in the nose of a Fed-Ex truck! (NEVER use a hydraulic E/B except in dragracing!- NEVER!)
DV

PS. REARWARD, the pads will move just slightly inboard. reducing pressure.
FORWARD, will actually try to move the pads out making them fit tighter yet!

trularin · #3 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 06:10 AM

Turn it around.

Sorry Ed, I couldn't resist.

Double Venom · #4 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 09:47 AM

Buddy,
You might try that but I would just as soon as tighten up the cables!

DV

onefastmustang · #5 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 11:41 AM

I assume you are referring to tightening the cables at the hand brake? I have a lokar hand brake. What about adjusting the wheel between the brake pads?

rokndad · #6 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 05:21 PM

Adjustment below and always leave it in first gear.

MaSnaka · #7 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 07:23 PM

Seems the cable adjustment would only help if your pulling your E-brake handle to it's limit and the brake won't hold. If you still have room to pull then no further adjustment is needed, just use two hands and PULL. I have to pull mine up good and tight and wait to see if the car rolls. My driveway is slopped and this is routine when pulling out of the garage to warm up and annoy the neighbors for a few minutes. I didn't know that it would hold better forward than back, but as RoknDad said keep it in gear as well.

John

Ronbo · #8 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 10:31 PM

Make sure your adjusters are working in those drums...

I hope your saving up for a disk conversion.

Double Venom · #9 (**permalink**) 03-28-2009, 05:04 AM

o.f.m.,
Fella, I've used a lot of Lokars in my business building street rods and Cobras, but you've got me with the 'wheel'? Masnaka is right too, I have seen many, many guys have to use two hands on the brake lever to get it tight enough......but.....if it is adjusted right, one hand should do!
What ever it takes on your car for adjustment, just get the cable(s) tighter.

DV
PS-you can check the adjusters/star wheels inside the drums (Bottom of the internal backing plate)-but I would assume if these are too loose then your brake would be weak in either or both directions.

onefastmustang · #10 (**permalink**) 03-29-2009, 11:24 AM

Thanks for the tips.. I am on vacation this week so I may tear into it..

Doug I · #11 (**permalink**) 04-01-2009, 09:05 AM

When holding on a reverse slope don't expect them to work equally as against holding on a forward slope. It should still hold though - just not as good in reverse. It's a function of the leading shoe principle that helps drum brakes work. The relationship between the diameter of the drum, diameter of the shoe and the location of the pivot means that when used the rotation of the drum tends to pull the shoes onto the drum. When going in reverse it tends to throw the shoes off - hence braking isn't quite as effective in reverse.

Check the cables are oiled and any pivots between the handle and the drums are working correctly. Everything else is as posted. Good luck