Help getting Frustrated With the Ebrake - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Crispyr1 · 10-04-2009, 01:00 AM

ebrake not working on my 68 short fs. I had a bad wheel cyclinder and thought that changing it would cure my ebrake failure but didn't. I still have the tree shift and need the ebrake when starting cause my driveway is on a decline. I also tried tightening the cable goin to the drum by inserting an eye bolt tighting the cable under the bed but no luck. need some help guys...

vectorit · 10-04-2009, 01:19 AM

There are a few things that could be the problem.

1. Have you checked the main adjuster that the hand lever connects to under the truck?

2. The main cable that connects both rear brakes to the lever could be stretched beyond tension.

3. Have you had new exhaust pipe work done recently? Since a lot of the time they put them in the way, and can cause problems with getting good tension to the brakes.

4. Did you lose a wire braket that hooks to the frame, and then "squares" the main cable. Looking under the truck, the main cable should paralel the frame rails for the most part.

5. How are the rear brake shoes? If they are really worn, then you could have an issue there. (Wheel cylinders have nothin to do with e-brake).

I'd look at the assembly manual to compare, and make sure you have all the parts still there. I almost lost the frame bracket when the exhaust guy un did it, and then set it on the frame but forgot to hook it back up.

OhioDan · 10-04-2009, 03:45 AM

Did any fluid get on the shoes when the wheel cyl. went bad? Did you clean it off?

cdowns · 10-04-2009, 05:36 AM

some old cables after 40years the inner and outer cables get frozen and wont move// to cure it you need to either repair or replace

Crispyr1 · 10-04-2009, 09:05 AM

thanks guys i'll check those things today. When I Checked the hand lever lastnight i didn't see an adjustment on the hand lever. is it located in the cab or out?

highliner · 10-04-2009, 02:56 PM

Yeah I had a E brake cable freeze up just a little bit one time. It didn't quite release all the way, and I had my driver side rear tire fall off and pass me on the freeway. It created so much heat from just barely touching that it toasted all my lug bolts. Just had to douche out the cable housing with brake cleaner and good to go. Just thought I'd share a horror story.

**LockDoc** · 10-04-2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crispyr1

thanks guys i'll check those things today. When I Checked the hand lever lastnight i didn't see an adjustment on the hand lever. is it located in the cab or out?

There isn't an adjustment on the lever per-se. See no. 1 in vectorit's post.

Try pulling on the ends of the cable that come out of the rear backing plates. If you can pull them out a little ways they are probably OK. I would guess that you may be missing one or more of the pigtail retainer/guides on the frame. (No.4 in vectorit's post).

If you need the rear cables I bought new ones at NAPA for $16 each.

LockDoc

Crispyr1 · 10-04-2009, 09:50 PM

yeah i've got the pig tails but i don't see an adjuster anywhere on the cable... can you tell me what it looks like? i didn't see any of the bolt style adjusters or anything.

rico7769 · 10-05-2009, 06:20 PM

the adjuster should be under the drivers side floor pan and have two nuts back/back that can be tightened up to gain more tension also. Check the ebrake lever inside of rear drum and be sure that it didn't come loose when you changed your cylinder out. I've had issues with tension before and the bar that applies tension to the rear drums wasn't even there from the previous install! cables are fairly cheap to replace if needed.

68gmsee · 10-05-2009, 08:29 PM

The ebrake is a mechanical brake. The brake cylinder would not affect it's operation. Make sure it all is installed correctly and see how much movement you get from the brake by observing while someone operates it for you.

I had a similar problem on my 68. I adjusted the brake shoes out as close as I could get them. Adjust them so they barely scrape the wheel. I lubed the cables real good with penetrating oil and then took the cable adjusting nut completely off and installed two larger nuts on the adjusting shaft to make the cable tighter.

I'll post a pic tomorrow if you need it.

Crispyr1 · 10-08-2009, 01:06 AM

I would Def like a pic! Thanks everyone for your help! This site is awesome!

gcburdic · 10-08-2009, 08:51 AM

does this help??

Crispyr1 · 10-08-2009, 02:57 PM

Yes thanks

10-04-2009, 01:00 AM	#1
Crispyr1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Orange Park, FL Posts: 114	Help getting Frustrated With the Ebrake ebrake not working on my 68 short fs. I had a bad wheel cyclinder and thought that changing it would cure my ebrake failure but didn't. I still have the tree shift and need the ebrake when starting cause my driveway is on a decline. I also tried tightening the cable goin to the drum by inserting an eye bolt tighting the cable under the bed but no luck. need some help guys... Last edited by Crispyr1; 10-04-2009 at 01:03 AM. Reason: more info

10-04-2009, 01:19 AM	#2
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: Help getting Frustrated With the Ebrake There are a few things that could be the problem. 1. Have you checked the main adjuster that the hand lever connects to under the truck? 2. The main cable that connects both rear brakes to the lever could be stretched beyond tension. 3. Have you had new exhaust pipe work done recently? Since a lot of the time they put them in the way, and can cause problems with getting good tension to the brakes. 4. Did you lose a wire braket that hooks to the frame, and then "squares" the main cable. Looking under the truck, the main cable should paralel the frame rails for the most part. 5. How are the rear brake shoes? If they are really worn, then you could have an issue there. (Wheel cylinders have nothin to do with e-brake). I'd look at the assembly manual to compare, and make sure you have all the parts still there. I almost lost the frame bracket when the exhaust guy un did it, and then set it on the frame but forgot to hook it back up. __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU

10-04-2009, 03:45 AM	#3
OhioDan Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New Carlisle, Ohio,USA Posts: 1,404	Re: Help getting Frustrated With the Ebrake Did any fluid get on the shoes when the wheel cyl. went bad? Did you clean it off? __________________ LIFE AIN'T EASY WHEN YER FAT AND GREASY! GMC= Got More Class! 1970 GMC LWB, Fleetside, 350/4spd, Flowmaster "40's", 2002 GMC 16" Rallies, cowl hood,and added a bunch of options that weren't there when I started.

10-04-2009, 05:36 AM	#4
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Help getting Frustrated With the Ebrake some old cables after 40years the inner and outer cables get frozen and wont move// to cure it you need to either repair or replace __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

10-04-2009, 09:05 AM	#5
Crispyr1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Orange Park, FL Posts: 114	Re: Help getting Frustrated With the Ebrake thanks guys i'll check those things today. When I Checked the hand lever lastnight i didn't see an adjustment on the hand lever. is it located in the cab or out?

10-04-2009, 02:56 PM	#6
highliner Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: West Point, UT Posts: 29	Re: Help getting Frustrated With the Ebrake Yeah I had a E brake cable freeze up just a little bit one time. It didn't quite release all the way, and I had my driver side rear tire fall off and pass me on the freeway. It created so much heat from just barely touching that it toasted all my lug bolts. Just had to douche out the cable housing with brake cleaner and good to go. Just thought I'd share a horror story. __________________ 72 C-10 Longbed (3rd generation truck) 79 K-15 Shortbed SBC400 4in. lift super swampers 05 2500HD Crew 6.0L 39 International P/U (future rat rod)

10-04-2009, 09:50 PM	#8
Crispyr1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Orange Park, FL Posts: 114	Re: Help getting Frustrated With the Ebrake yeah i've got the pig tails but i don't see an adjuster anywhere on the cable... can you tell me what it looks like? i didn't see any of the bolt style adjusters or anything.

10-05-2009, 06:20 PM	#9
rico7769 Hybrid67 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Martinez, GA Posts: 195	Re: Help getting Frustrated With the Ebrake the adjuster should be under the drivers side floor pan and have two nuts back/back that can be tightened up to gain more tension also. Check the ebrake lever inside of rear drum and be sure that it didn't come loose when you changed your cylinder out. I've had issues with tension before and the bar that applies tension to the rear drums wasn't even there from the previous install! cables are fairly cheap to replace if needed. __________________ Keep em' Running! All show.....no go

10-05-2009, 08:29 PM	#10
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Help getting Frustrated With the Ebrake The ebrake is a mechanical brake. The brake cylinder would not affect it's operation. Make sure it all is installed correctly and see how much movement you get from the brake by observing while someone operates it for you. I had a similar problem on my 68. I adjusted the brake shoes out as close as I could get them. Adjust them so they barely scrape the wheel. I lubed the cables real good with penetrating oil and then took the cable adjusting nut completely off and installed two larger nuts on the adjusting shaft to make the cable tighter. I'll post a pic tomorrow if you need it.

10-08-2009, 01:06 AM	#11
Crispyr1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Orange Park, FL Posts: 114	Re: Help getting Frustrated With the Ebrake I would Def like a pic! Thanks everyone for your help! This site is awesome!

10-08-2009, 08:51 AM	#12
gcburdic Restoration Virgin! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Huntersville, NC Posts: 8,298	Re: Help getting Frustrated With the Ebrake does this help?? Attached Images __________________ Geoff with a G 1968 Chevy C10 SWB The Mistress 1972 Custom Deluxe C20 Suburban A Suburban Named Isabella 1966 Ford Mustang Mama's High School Graduation Present

10-08-2009, 02:57 PM	#13
Crispyr1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Orange Park, FL Posts: 114	Re: Help getting Frustrated With the Ebrake Yes thanks

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