[FC] parking brake help

[Paul Steinberg]

If you only had the hand brake (more commonly known on old cars as the emergency brake and new cars as the parking brake), you did no harm to neither the engine, transmission, differantial, or the braking system.  The emergency, or parking brake only works the secondary brake shoe of the rear braking system.  You might have found that when you used the foot brake pedal that it required less effort to stop.  This is because the brake shoe was already closer to the brake drum surface than it normally is.  If you had the brake shoes properly adjusted and the parking / emergency brake pull lever set to the factory specification, you would have noticed this immediately.  My best guess is that the cables to the emergency brake are rusty and not releasing totally.  You might be well advised to check the complete braking system for proper function before going on your next trip.  Properly maintained, they will function as intended.  Improperly maintained, you can find yourself in trouble quite quickly.... Paul in CT...  
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jim Forgey 
  To: corvanatics at corvair.org 
  Sent: Sunday, August 14, 2005 7:49 PM
  Subject: [FC] parking brake help


  Hi Everyone,

  Hope the summer is going well for all. Feel kind of
  stupid about this question but have to put it out
  there.

  My hand brake has not been operating smoothly for a
  while. Had the van out and when I got home realized
  that the brake had only released part of the way, so 
  I was driving for a while with the brake at least
  somewhat on.

  The van seemed to  do well on the trip. I played with
  the brake for a while and realized I needed to force
  it down to get a full release.

  Two questions - how much did I punish the engine,
  vehicle or anything else?
   
  Will lubricating the brake make it function better -
  and are there any recommendations on a lubricant.

  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

  Jim Forgey
  64 Brier

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