parking brake not working well

[Marc Hernandez]

At 09:52 AM 12/13/2001 -0600, se-r-request@lists.deskmedia.com wrote:
>the caliper works from the brake pedal, just not the parking brake

Check the nut underneath the parking brake handle.  There is a nut that can
be tightened to take up the slack in the cable.  When you first lift your
handle, is it *really* loose, i.e. has no resistance at all?  If so, then
this is definitely the problem.  Lift the parking brake all the way, then
look underneath it.  there's a bolt thread on the end of the cable running
parallel with the handle.  On this is a 10mm nut.  Use a 10mm socket and
extender to tighten this nut.  Keep letting the handle down and checking
the resistance.  It should still be somewhat loose when the handle is
totally released, but should start catching as soon as you start pulling it
up.  Don't tighten it too much or your brakes will be engaged even when
released.

See if that helps.  My nut keeps going loose and I have to keep tightening
it.  Keep in mind that the parking brake and the brake pedal do different
things to the calipers - the brake forces fluid into the caliper to cause
the piston to be forced out, closing the caliper.  The parking brake
physically pulls the two halves of the caliper together, meaning it should
in theory work even if the caliper has no fluid (hence the name "emergency
brake").  Too much slack in the cable can cause the symptoms you're seeing
- the caliper closing with pedal but not parking brake.

Good luck!

Hikaru

Marc Hernandez                     march@eurekasoft.com
1993 Vail White Classic SE-R   75,000 miles & counting
Front STB,  Stillen Short Shifter, Hotshot Gen 3 Header
170 Timing, Fiamm Horns, Place Racing Mounts, Place CAI
RE71 205/50/15,1/3 ES Bushings, Goodrich SS Brake Lines
JWT ECU,ScrothRallye3Harness,200SX Wheels,AD22VF Brakes
           http://www.eurekasoft.com/~hikaru