ERA handbrake adjustment help

d_ford · #1 (**permalink**) 04-08-2006, 12:18 PM

I have ERA #115 and the parking brake won't hold. It has the Jag XKE type compensator. I've tried to adjust the cable per the instructions in the manual but I've backed out the threaded end of the cable almost to the point of backing it all the way out of the block with no results. When it's threaded all the way in there is considerable slack in the cable sheath, and it can be moved back and forth on the cable approx. 3/4". When it's threaded out all the way, there is no more slack in the sheath but it still doesn't engage the pads to the rotors. It's almost as if the cable is too long for the sheath. I don't know if it ever worked, I just bought the car a couple of months ago. I'm trying to do this through the access panel in the rear bulkhead without removing the seats and tunnel. Any ideas? Bob....help!!!!!

strictlypersonl · #2 (**permalink**) 04-08-2006, 12:46 PM

This could be a number of things, but hopefully the cable is stretched. If the problem is in the EB caliper itself, it may be easier to drop the axle assembly. On the older cars, sometimes the self-adjusting mechanism no longer functions because of corrosion, and requires more stroke than is normally available. I've got rebuilding instructions I can e-mail you.

But first!

Try shimming the front end of the cable housing. With the handle all the way down, pull the cable housing back out of the socket on the handle bracket. You may have to un-adjust the cable at the compensator end. Cut a slot in a 1/4" washer wide enough to fit around the cable, so that the cable housing can't go into the socket in the handle bracket. (I'm just trying to take slack out of the cable.) If you can adjust the cable at the other end to get some braking, the cable has stretched. It's a stock XKE cable.

d_ford · #3 (**permalink**) 04-08-2006, 01:31 PM

I'll try shimming the cable. I assume I'll need to take all the slack out of the cable housing so I'll probably have to use several washers. Hopefully that does the trick but if not I'll let you know so you can send me directions. I sure hope I don't have to drop the axle assy! Thanks a million...as always. You guys have the best tech support!

d_ford · #4 (**permalink**) 04-08-2006, 04:55 PM

I shimmed the cable and it took up the slack in the cable housing but all it did was shorten the throw of the hand brake lever without having any effect on setting the parking brake. I adjusted the cable as far as I could but it didn't help. I'm going to try putting some miles on the car hoping it might just be stuck from non-use and hopefully will loosen up on it's own. Short of any other advice if that doesn't work I guess I'll get back in touch later to get the rebuilding instructions on the self adjusters. Thanks for your help.

strictlypersonl · #5 (**permalink**) 04-08-2006, 05:36 PM

Doug,

Can you see how thick your EB pads are?

d_ford · #6 (**permalink**) 04-08-2006, 09:01 PM

Hmmmm......I hate to show my ignorance, but are there separate pads for the EB from the hydraulic calipers? I didn't see them either on the car or in the book. (although I wasn't actually looking for them on the car) Let me know where to look. Thanks again.

strictlypersonl · #7 (**permalink**) 04-09-2006, 05:30 AM

Take a look here.

Unfortunately, the EB caliper is mounted at the top of the rotor, and not immediately apparant.

d_ford · #8 (**permalink**) 04-09-2006, 11:59 AM

So will I have to drop the entire rear end assy to service them or can they be accessed on the car?

strictlypersonl · #9 (**permalink**) 04-09-2006, 04:10 PM

If you've already got the tunnel out, it's easier to drop the assembly. Only about 45 minutes or less to unhook the drive shaft, trailing arms and brake hose at the chassis, and the two upper mounting bolts.

d_ford · #10 (**permalink**) 04-09-2006, 05:10 PM

I've got it back together for now and I want to just drive it and put some miles on it to see what happens. (I guess I'm hoping it will magically cure itself although I don't have a lot of faith in that happening) When I tear into it I'll be in contact if I have any questions. Thank you very much for all the info.