Parking break

[Lordphilgood]

My 1970-C3-350 parking brake needs looking at (Doesn't hold, rubs while driving & sounds like something has fallen off when reversing) but I don't have any manuals/digrams on these, all I have been told is they are drum breaks, inboard on the axle.
I've only had the car for 2 months and was told that these were worked on prior to my ownership & looks like new cables were fitted, but before I jump in blind to investigate can anyone offer some guidance, advice or at least an exploded view of what to expect.
Phil

 

[Emc]

Give me a call i can help

 

[Lordphilgood]

Thanks Emc, do you have a number I can contact you on?
Phil

 

[Emc]

Thanks Emc, do you have a number I can contact you on?
Phil

01283 219420

 

[Lordphilgood]

Sorry Emc I got distracted - I'll ring you Thursday, what time would be good for you?
Phil

 

[Roscobbc]

C3 parking brakes are generally accepted as being pretty useless. So useless that even if in good working order they will struggle to comply with MOT tests. Any MOT tester who has had experience with C2/3 Vettes will know this and understand the systems limitations and pass the car - knowing its as good as it will ever get.
The brake shoes are probably a similar size to a Honda moped - if you over exert the handbrake lever there is the risk of the shoes flexing/distorting and the bonded linings may crack and ultimately break-up. Handbrake cables tend to stretch. So after stripping the brake hubs down and establishing whether or not the inner drum surface is useable perhaps order-up a new set of shoes/linings, all new parking brake parts and a new cable from Gavin. Its a fiddly job replacing the brake shoe springs - but do-able. If set-up and adjusted correctly the set-up can work quite well if you keep on top of the adjustment.........or just ignore it (which is what most owners do)

 

[CaptainK]

C3 parking brakes are generally accepted as being pretty useless. So useless that even if in good working order they will struggle to comply with MOT tests.

I generally avoid an official MOT for that reason, so it doesn't fail, as it failed ages back and the garage over tightened it to get it to pass and it rubbed and sounded horrid for ages. Don't panic I still get my car safety checked every year, just not an official MOT.

Anyway, recently I had to change garages as one I had been using had shut down (guy retired, sold the land to someone else). New garage wanted to check it would put on their ramps etc and I was explaining the MOT issue and the handbrake on the C3 being useless. So he suggested whilst we were testing the ramps etc he'd put it on the MOT brake system and see what it does.

Shock horror of all horrors - my handbrake would actually pass an MOT without issue

Also bear in mind - if you have an automatic gearbox then you have a bonus for passing the MOT - they have to leave it in park when handbrake testing, so you get the advantage of "park" braking too. For the manual gearbox test, like I have, they leave it in neutral as they can't guarantee the driver will leave the car in neutral when parked up normally. So its just the handbrake only.

 

[antijam]

As well as being pretty useless, the C3 e-brake parts are notoriously difficult to access. When you remove the rear wheel to inspect the linings, springs and adjusters what you want to see is this....

What you actually see is this.....

To properly get to the e-brake internals you have to remove the spindle - a fairly major operation.
It is is possible to replace the linings and other parts without removing the spindle - I've done it - but there are more enjoyable ways to spend your time.

 

[Roscobbc]

It's the return springs for the shoes that make it so difficult to fit the spring. It's it doable with the spindle in place but a real b'stard to do. A medium sized screwdriver with a 'u' shaped slot angle ground in to the side of the blade is the answer......you can hook the end of the lining shoe springs from under the spindle end and stretch the spring over to the opposite lining......fiddly but doable (with patience)

 

[antijam]

It's the return springs for the shoes that make it so difficult to fit the spring. It's it doable with the spindle in place but a real b'stard to do. A medium sized screwdriver with a 'u' shaped slot angle ground in to the side of the blade is the answer......you can hook the end of the lining shoe springs from under the spindle end and stretch the spring over to the opposite lining......fiddly but doable (with patience)

Just the tool for the job Rosco...