The e-brake should be included under the warranty of the company that did my brakes, right?

[Viper GTS]

When I first got my car back after getting the brakes re-done both the brake pedal & the e-brake were VERY stiff compared to what they were before. Now, however, the e-brake can be pulled all the way with very little effort, & even with it fully engaged the car will roll on very slight inclines (like a parking lot, how steep are parking lots). Stopping power seems normal, but the e-brake isn't working worth crap.

That should be included in the warranty, right?

Viper GTS <-- Doesn't know jack about cars.

 

[Nutdotnet]

hmm, it depends.

Was it okay before you got your brakes done?

 

[PG]

I would think so. If not, you might be able to adjust it yourself easily. But I would see if they would do it first.

 

[Viper GTS]

Yup, I never had a problem with it. It's really pissing me off, I've had to abandon two parking spots today due to the car rolling.

:|

Viper GTS

 

[ATLien247]

You could always keep your car in gear if it's a manual, or in park if it's an automatic...

 

[Viper GTS]

True...

It's a manual... Which would be better, higher gears or lower?

Viper GTS

 

[ATLien247]

I always keep mine in 1st. You could also put it in reverse if you're parking down hill.

 

[Nutdotnet]

How long ago did you have the brake work done?

 

[kamiam]

I'd say it should be covered ONLY if the original work performed INCLUDED work on the E-brake

 

[Viper GTS]

The work was done almost exactly a month ago.

As far as whether or not it included work on the e-brake, I thought they used the same damned systems? When I first got it back, the e-brake worked very well. Now it barely works at all.

Viper GTS

 

[RGN]

Did they do (replace)the rear brakes?

 

[Viper GTS]

No...

Just the front brakes.

Viper GTS

 

[snakesnfrogs]

if they only replaced the front brakes, that means they didn't touch the e-brake---it's cable operated and usually works on the rear wheels.


edit: the cable has probably stretched and needs to be readjusted or replaced.

 

[RGN]

Well, the e-brake system just engages the rear brakes. I would have the rears checked along with the cables. My guess is the shoes are worn completely or the cables are broken.

 

[Viper GTS]

Then why was the e-brake so stiff when I got it back?

Before I had it worked on I could fully engage the e-brake, once I got it back it took a very hard pull to engage it half way.



Viper GTS

 

[RGN]

<< if they only replaced the front brakes, that means they didn't touch the e-brake---it's cable operated and usually works on one rear wheel.


edit: teh cab;e has probably stretched and needs to be readjusted or replaced. >>




On my Pylmouth and my Nissan the cable goes to both rears...

 

[RGN]

<< Then why was the e-brake so stiff when I got it back?

Before I had it worked on I could fully engage the e-brake, once I got it back it took a very hard pull to engage it half way.



Viper GTS >>



They prolly adjusted them.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Yeah dude, they probably screwed around with the e-brake cable. But if they only did the front brakes good luck in getting them to fix it under warranty.

I would just call them up and talk to them and see what they have to say. Get it adjusted or even replaced shouldnt be that much.

 

[Viper GTS]

If I have to pay for it that's fine, but I need it fixed.

Thanks for the info.



Viper GTS

 

[Thegonagle]

What kind of car is it? On most cars, it operates on BOTH rear wheels, but on a small number of cars (Subaru, Saab, I think, maybe others) it operates on the front wheels.

Keep it in first or reverse. The friction of the engine will hold the car on slight inclines no probelm, but remember to turn your wheels to the curb if you park on the street.

 

[Fandu]

Yea, just leave it in gear. Doesn't matter which gear. You don't need to worry about it rolling away if it's in gear, there is NO WAY it'll roll anywhere.

If anyone feels like testing that out... Find a flat and open parking lot. Shut off car, place in gear, have one person in the car and a bunch of guys try and push the car... It ain't going no where.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Viper, if you have drum rear brakes, then they need to be adjusted periodically to keep the e-brake working well. Since you say the e-brake was stiff after they did a front brake job, I'd say they probably adjusted them up. If it's only been a month, then they probably should adjust them back up for free. Just ask.

As far as leaving it in gear when parked, it DOES matter which gear. The lower the gear, the better. 1st or reverse for the most part. The car CAN and WILL roll if you leave it on a hill in 5th.
You should always leave the car in gear when parked, never rely on just the emergency brake....after all, it's an EMERGENCY brake, for emergencies, like if you didn't get the shifter all the way in gear and it popped out.

<<If anyone feels like testing that out... Find a flat and open parking lot. Shut off car, place in gear, have one person in the car and a bunch of guys try and push the car... It ain't going no where. >>

Got 100 bucks right here that says I can put YOUR manual car in 5th gear on a steep hill and it WILL move.

 

[Viper GTS]

It's discs all the way around, does the same still apply?

Viper GTS

 

[Thegonagle]

I could push it myself in 5th gear on level ground, and I bet a bunch of guys COULD push it in first gear, but not far and not fast. The bottom line is to have it fixed.

I'm going to go ahead and assume that you have the conventional rear drum setup and the parking brake operates on the rear. It's not impossible that they knocked something out of place while they were doing the inspection on the rear brakes. There are a bunch of springs and levers beck there that can pop out of place pretty easily. Then they didn't put it back together quite right. Of course one of the two cables might have broken. That's nobody's fault.

EDIT: Doh! Too slow. It's probably one of the cables.

 

[crab]

Maybe the cable was damaged by the lift they used to raise the car.