Emergency brake problem

[kevins2]

A friend has a 13 year old Superformance and the emergency brake has never worked properly. He says he's had it "fixed" a couple of times but it just doesn't hold, even on a slight grade. I've offered to take a look at it but my car isn't a Superformance and I'm not familiar with the mechanism. Since he's had it worked on before, I'm not sure what I can do, but thought I'd ask if anyone has any advice or instructions to fix it once and for all.

Thanks,

Kevin

[Blas]

Superformance has used a few different systems as an emergency brake over the years. The Wilwood Spot Caliper, the driveshaft mounted assembly and their current system. The Wilwood Spot caliper has a fairly easy adjustment screw on each caliper and there is also an adjustment on the cables. Replacement pads are difficult to find, and driving even a short distance with the brake engaged will render it useless. The drive shaft mounted brake is quite difficult to adjust and once again, drive with it on, your done.... I can't speak for the latest design, but none are particularly robust in holding power. I have a document on how to adjust the drive shaft design. And there was also a simple modification for the early Wilwood Spot design. NOTHING YOU CAN DO WILL BEAT A ROCK UNDER THE TIRE........
Anyone can email me if you want a copy... I also have ROCKS available...

[kevins2]

Thanks. His car is 13 years old, chassis #1621. Does that pin-point which mechanism would be on his car? As for the rock under the tire, he actually uses a piece of firewood behind the wheel because his garage is on a slight grade...

I'll email you for the instructions you have.

[Blas]

I suggest Oak, White Birch or Maple. Soft woods like Pine or Cedar just don't have the holding power a good hardwood does.

[1795]

That's why you need a high compression engine, it's a lot harder to turn that engine over as the car attempts to roll than a lower compression engine.

Make sure that the angle and depth of the firewood is correct to ensure that the car does not roll over it.

[jhv48]

Originally Posted by Blas

I suggest Oak, White Birch or Maple. Soft woods like Pine or Cedar just don't have the holding power a good hardwood does.

As my wife always says, "hardwood is good to find!"

[Antny]

My Superformance is #963 and the emergency brake sucks. Not sure what sort of "emergency" it's supposed to be useful for. I've actually bent the lever trying to pull it enough to do something. I need to fix this, it drives me insane.

[Shootnride]

My SPF has the Wilwood mechanical emergency brake calipers on the rear. As supplied from Superformance the system was pretty much worthless. I fabricated some parts to provide a little compound leverage to the system. I wouldn't say it's fantastic, but it's probably 300% better than it was. Here's a photo.

[kevins2]

So far, it seems like a common problem and nobody has indicated a successful fix. Blas was kind enough to email me the adjustment instructions but even he indicated in his post above that the emergency brake is not "robust". One would think an emergency brake would be kinda important - particularly on a car with a manual transmission.

[kevins2]

Thanks Ted, just saw you post above - 3 minutes before I posted, so it wasn't there. I'll confirm what system he has and if it is the Wilwood like yours, your mod is the way to go. From other responses, simply adjusting the existing system doesn't help much.

Appreciate the help.

Kevin

[Mark IV]

The mid series cars with the driveshaft parking disc brake are problematic, but when properly adjusted do work.

We stock the disc and the pads and can provide the factory TSB that instructs how to adjust and improve the parking brake function.

The early cars with the Wilwood "spot" calipers use a round pad and we also stock those.

Late/current cars use an 'all in one" Wilwood caliper that has a built in mechanical parking brake using the service brake pads and that works very well so long as the cables are adjusted properly.

[kevins2]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

The mid series cars with the driveshaft parking disc brake are problematic, but when properly adjusted do work.

We stock the disc and the pads and can provide the factory TSB that instructs how to adjust and improve the parking brake function.

The early cars with the Wilwood "spot" calipers use a round pad and we also stock those.

Late/current cars use an 'all in one" Wilwood caliper that has a built in mechanical parking brake using the service brake pads and that works very well so long as the cables are adjusted properly.

I just received a copy of "Mark III Service Bulletin: 0306mb New Style Park Brake Service and Adjustments"

Is this the service bulletin you're referencing? Also, this bulletin states that the drive shaft mounted park brake system that it addresses was incorporated "around car number 1600". Given the word "around", can I safely assume that his car number 1621 has this system? It's winter, so it might be a while before he can get his car to me so I can look it over myself, so I'm flying blind here trying to determine what needs to be done. Appreciate all the help I've received.

Kevin

[Mark IV]

Most likely you have the driveshaft type brake. The reason the "around" qualifier is used is that chassis are not always built in numerical order so it is possible for XX20 to be earlier than XX10.

[kevins2]

Thanks, I'll just have to wait until the weather improves so I can get under the car and see what it is. I have the service bulletin so should be all set..

Kevin

[Jim Vander Wal]

I fixed mine. Chassis #1855 and 2584. Quite simple actually, I took 'em out. Saves aggravation, the expectation that they'll work and the weight.

If you're in an emergency the time it takes to realize that the e-brake has failed as well is time not well spent. These might be better called "parking brakes" but even that is an overestimation of their performance.

For parking I use wood as Blas has recommended or fold-up chocks with a string to facilitate retrieval.

The driveshaft mounted brakes collect all the grime from the engine and road which helps with the slip and keeps the disk from rusting.

Good luck.

Jim