E-brake installation

[0z0ne]

Hmm, see the other stuff doesn't seem too impossible.
I just don't know how I'm going to hoist that baby up (safely) without proper equipment.

Do any of you have any suggestions? Or cheap lift alternatives?

[kartracer46]

Method for Stands using factory jack:

Borrow some 4x4 pieces of wood about a foot long, jack up one side at a time and place the wheel facing up with the 4x4 on top just beneath the rocker on both sides. It's a set of Carolina Jack stands!:p Just be sure it's in gear and you block the front wheels from rolling before you start. It works, I have done it and I use this method when I am out and don't have a set of stands handy.

[0z0ne]

I shall certainly consider this method, though it sounds like my body might be in jeopardy should anything shift even slightly, lol.

But yet I have to make do, don't i?

[bhazard]

I dont know about you guys but my ebrake has almost no effect at all. Even when I replaced the rear brakes. Even after tightening it all the way. Theres just not enough brake back there to do anything noticeable. Even on snow, they dont lock.

Of course I never ran stock 12's on my car. Went straight to 13's when I bought it and then 15's with my swap.

[kartracer46]

I dont know about you guys but my ebrake has almost no effect at all. Even when I replaced the rear brakes. Even after tightening it all the way. Theres just not enough brake back there to do anything noticeable. Even on snow, they dont lock.

Of course I never ran stock 12's on my car. Went straight to 13's when I bought it and then 15's with my swap.

Cables are stretched a bit, go to Home Depot or Lowes and pick up a cable tensioner. They are in the hardware section near the rolls of cable. It will take a little of the slack out and they will work way more effectively.

[thered56]

Hmm, see the other stuff doesn't seem too impossible.
I just don't know how I'm going to hoist that baby up (safely) without proper equipment.

Do any of you have any suggestions? Or cheap lift alternatives?

Get two buddies you trust to lift the back up while you place jack stands or a safe equivalent under the car. I am joking, although, it does work.

[0z0ne]

good to know kartracer! I'll certainly keep that in mind if that problem ever arises for me also

thank you

[hckrphil]

Having an E-brake is overrated Mine seems to stick on so I don't use it....... should probably look into fixing that........

[0z0ne]

Well aside from learning how to drive stick, I've not had much experience with manual cars.
But everyone i've learned from tells how essential it is to have one.

Even if your car's in gear, don't you ever worry about it running away from you?

[hckrphil]

Hahahaha..... I keep it on a short leash I don't park on any "steep" hills....... leave it in gear when I park it.......

It won't go anywhere I'll fix it eventually.. It's my daily driver now.

I bought an 07' Dodge Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi back in October.... that pig gets 11-15mpg. Bought the Festiva in December. So, for driving to / from work, the Festiva it is Pretty much drive the Festiva all the time except if it snows bad out then I take the truck Put more miles on the Festiva than I have the truck now

Well aside from learning how to drive stick, I've not had much experience with manual cars.
But everyone i've learned from tells how essential it is to have one.

Even if your car's in gear, don't you ever worry about it running away from you?

[Charlie1717]

Well aside from learning how to drive stick, I've not had much experience with manual cars.
But everyone i've learned from tells how essential it is to have one.

Even if your car's in gear, don't you ever worry about it running away from you?

I've never had an issue with that. Even parking on hills. But ebrakes are nice to have.
I picked this up a while back works great

http://m.sears.com/productdetails.do?partNumber=00950114000P

[0z0ne]

Get it replaced when you can hckrphil! lol

Thanks for the link Charlie! How much clearance do you get with that thing (plus whatever it is without the jack)? Enough to get under and work on the bottom?

[200KGPGTP]

My e-brake is interesting. The drivers side rear wheel is the only wheel affected by it, LOL!

It locks it up and works well, but just for the one wheel.

Winter sliding in a weightless Festiva is EPICCCC!!! Oh..... Good times.

[Charlie1717]

Get it replaced when you can hckrphil! lol

Thanks for the link Charlie! How much clearance do you get with that thing (plus whatever it is without the jack)? Enough to get under and work on the bottom?

It's given me plenty of clearance without even being as high as the stands can go. But the Jack won't put the car up high enough to get that high so if I need extra height I put a thick board or something to give me extra height. But really that isn't necessary.

It's a great deal to me, you get everything.

[WmWatt]

You don't have to remove the wheels and could use ramps. I've raised a car by driving one side up on the curb and lying in the gutter. That when I was in school. I've found second hand ramps, hydraulic trolley jack, and jack stands since. I also have a couple of spare scissor jacks bought used.

When my brakes failed I was able to drive home slowly using back streets with only the hand brake and subsequenly drove the car to a couple of local garages to get estimates before replaing all the brake lines myself. I wouldn't want to be without the hand brake.