E brake will not hold the car

[ihawk33]

I have a 91 Festiva and the E Brake will not stop the car from rolling backwards down the drive. I will hold the car from moving forward if you give the car some gas. Where should I start on fixing this problem so I can pass state inspection?

[ejp2fast]

likely what you're problem is that the little lever that the e-brake pulls on your rear drum (hard to describe without looking at it) is rusted and doesn't move... therefore doesn't engage when the e-brake is pulled.

have someone pull the e-brake while you look at one of the wheels. this lever moves toward the center of the vehicle when engaged...
my car had this last summer, and what you need to do is take the drum off and get some PB blaster and get that lever to move freely again.... now, i always put my e-brake on when i park to keep those levers moving and not setting...

hope this makes sense.

[ihawk33]

Got it fixed

The shoes were badly worn. I replaced the shoes and now it works. I only have had the car about 2 months and finally replaced the rack and pinion now this so I am now ready to register and get the car inspected.

[mrgrimm]

I haven't had the drums of mine yet, was wondering if they have an auto adjuster (like newer Focus') for the shoes or if it's the adjustable clicker type. If they are adjustable maybe you could have gotten away by turning them out a few clicks?

[ejp2fast]

The shoes were badly worn. I replaced the shoes and now it works. I only have had the car about 2 months and finally replaced the rack and pinion now this so I am now ready to register and get the car inspected.

glad you got it fixed.

I haven't had the drums of mine yet, was wondering if they have an auto adjuster (like newer Focus') for the shoes or if it's the adjustable clicker type. If they are adjustable maybe you could have gotten away by turning them out a few clicks?

yes, there is a spring adjustable clicker mechanism that as the drum shoes wear, it ratchets accordingly. its not "auto".

[batstiva]

glad you got it fixed.



yes, there is a spring adjustable clicker mechanism that as the drum shoes wear, it ratchets accordingly. its not "auto".

At least, that's what it does until the springs lose too much of their tension.

[GenevaDirt]

yes, there is a spring adjustable clicker mechanism that as the drum shoes wear, it ratchets accordingly. its not "auto".

I do not recall seeing an adjuster. I have had my back brakes apart on a couple cars and I only recall the wheel cylinder and springs....hmmmmmm.

[batstiva]

^^ According to my Hayne's, and my car, there are self adjusters in the rear brakes. Towards the top, kind of just below the cylinder. If I can figure out where I put the old ones I just took out, I'll take a pic. The brake hardware kit I used came with new ones.

[TominMO]

^^ According to my Hayne's, and my car, there are self adjusters in the rear brakes. Towards the top, kind of just below the cylinder. If I can figure out where I put the old ones I just took out, I'll take a pic. The brake hardware kit I used came with new ones.

Yours came with new adjusters? The ones I've used from FMS only have springs, not the ratcheted adjusters themselves. What kit is this & where do you get it?