parking brake

[Mabolzich]

I have a 1998 C5. Is it very difficult to replace my parking brake? I'm sure it's fried.

[Fixvet]

Originally Posted by Mabolzich

I have a 1998 C5. Is it very difficult to replace my parking brake? I'm sure it's fried.

If you have an automatic tranny and don't use the Park brake very often, if at all....I'd bet that you're like about 80% of all C5's with that tranny with Pbrakes that don't function properly! Mine is one of them, but I've never been a user of that brake in any automatic tranny equiped car I've ever owned.

But, there are several components to the park brake...both in the console and at each rear wheel. I'd guess that normally we could just remove and clean all the parts (like the handle assembly) and they would work, but I've never had the desire to mess with mine. This is just my 2cents worth of wisdom and hopefully one of the techs will offer their's too.

[Mabolzich]

I do have a automatic, both in my 98 and 86, but I had the 86 brake fixed and it's so cool that I want to fix the one in my 98.

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,

What do you mean it is not working??? Does it not hold the vehicle???

If so, you might only need to remove the rear brake rotors and adjust the ebrake shoes to hold better.

Also, check to make sure your ebrake handle boot is not sticking into the mechanism under it. That does happen from time to time.

Allthebest, c4c5

[ToolGuy]

In my experience most C5's need to be adjusted. From what I heard years ago, the parking brakes were not set that well from GM, thus need to be set properly. I did mine and it works 100% better or like it should.

You need to take the rotor off to do it too.

[Mabolzich]

Thanks for your advice and help. I'm gonna try. It's a little cold and snowy here and my Vette's are sleeping in the garage. When it warms up a little, I'll go to it.

[froggy47]

Originally Posted by ToolGuy

In my experience most C5's need to be adjusted. From what I heard years ago, the parking brakes were not set that well from GM, thus need to be set properly. I did mine and it works 100% better or like it should.

You need to take the rotor off to do it too.

Can you describe what, in addition to adjustment, is done?

[ToolGuy]

Originally Posted by froggy47

Can you describe what, in addition to adjustment, is done?

Well its a drum in hat style rotor and you need to remove the brake caliper bracket and those bolts don't come off easily! Once off, I used a brake shoe adjustment tool and adjusted both out. Of course you don't need the tool, just adjust to where there is some drag on the rotor and leave alone. That's it! :)

Oh and the auto adjustment, AKA driving backwards in a parking lot then coming to a stop, did not work for me as I tried this.

[Mabolzich]

Yea, I tried that too. It seemed to work for a minute, but....... Thanks for the advice.

[froggy47]

Thanks,

I figured you just stuck a screwdriver thru a hole in the backing plate, like most car, and turned the star wheel.

Mine works fine, so I never looked for the access hole.

:)