Adjust Emergency brake handle ?

[Rala]

The hand brake on my 78 will pop back up to about the half way position. The e-Brake works . Both sides catch and release. The brakes engage before the handle reaches the upper limit. It will not lay flat. I've been under the car and adjusted the cable tensioner, but can't find the sweet spot. I don't feel any tension on the cable. Or does it need tension from the cable to pull it down?

[davelgee]

You may want to look into the adjustment of the small e-brake shoes that are at the rear of the car, then re-adjust the cable after these are set.

Cheers!
Dave G.

[ghnl]

Dave G is right - adjust the shoes of the handbrake. There is a small hole in the hub of the rear rotors - use a screwdriver to turn the star wheel inside to adjust the shoes.

If the handle still won't stay 'on' once the shoes are adjusted you probably need to check & sharpen the ratchet's teeth. Each time you yank up the handle and it makes that click-click-click noise the pawl is scraping along the ratchet (and wearing it away...)

Use a small triangular shaped file to make the teeth on the ratchet sharp.

Instead of yanking up on the handle and making the click-click-click sound, press in the release button as you pull up on the handbrake then release the button once the brake is applied.

[backfeeder]

Bob L,
I had the same problem when I replaced the parking brake cable. Did you do your adjustments with the handle completely horizontal? If not, try putting it in the position you will like it to be, then holding it down with something heavy. I had to use my large air gun in order for it to stay down. Once its at rest, then you can adjust it either at the brake shoe or the cable.

[Rala]

Thanks for the info. I'll give it a try.