E-Brake?

[fire91bird]

So i was just out sliding around in the rain with my 91 firebird v6/auto. And when i pulled up on my e brake i felt pressure and the brake work about halfway up, then all the pressure let off and now the e-brake doesnt work. I can still pull it up and the brake light comes on, but theres no pressure on it and the brake doesnt apply. any idea what happened/how to fix it?

[wrightz28]

Cable probably snapped, no hydraulic pressure involved.

Also, you may want to think twice about sliding around in the rain next time, these axles bend VERY easily when slid into a curb.

[fire91bird]

Yea, i just wont hit curbs lol. But how would i go about fixing the cable?

[89IROC&RS]

IIRC, youve got to open up the top of the center console, disconnect the cable from the brake handle assembly, pull it through the bottom of the car, and it should run down the driveshaft tunnel or somewhere thereabouts, and connect to a bracket at the back that has three holes. the ebrake cable connects in the middle, and then there is a cable on each side of the bracket that goes out to each wheel. the brake cable should come out of the middle, and you put the new cable in in the reverse order.

its been a longggg time since ive looked at that cable so i could be leaving out a few things, but i seem to think thts how it goes.

[fire91bird]

alright thanks for the help, i was looking at the console, is there an easy way to open it up?

[89IROC&RS]

there are torx screws all the way around the top. its one big peice that goes from up around the radio and HVAC down to the ashtray, and back to the rear of the armrest. take out the torx screws (t15 i think) and i think the 10mm bolts in the armrest glovebox. the whole thing should lift off. youll also want to remove the shifter nob, and i cant remember if you have to remove the handle of the ebrake, it would probly make it easier. then pull the ebrake all the way up, and lift the top off the center console.

[fire91bird]

how do you get the shifter knob off?

[89IROC&RS]

manual im not 100% sure about, i think it just screws off. i could be wrong though.

automatic knob will have a little slit in the front, stick a small flat blade screwdriver in, and feel around until you get behind a metal peice. and pull it out. it will be like a large staple. with that removed, the knob will pull strait up and off.

[fire91bird]

i was driving around today, and i was just wanted to make sure i had to before i took my console and everthing apart, and i pulled the e brake a few times, and it will actually work sometimes. like probably one out of every five times i pull it, it will actually hook up and the brake will work. Would that even be possible if the cable was broken? or is something just like not connected all the way?

[89IROC&RS]

not to tell someone else how to drive their car, but the ebrake really isnt supposed to be used while driving. personally i like swinging the rear end around with the skinny pedal

to that end, you may want to inspect the condition of your ebrake shoes in the rear disks. it would seem that it is not the cable if it is catching every once in a while. if its an intermittant deal, i would look at the shoes in the back.

[fire91bird]

yea, i know what you mean, i prefer that too, but my old car got stolen so now im stuck with a 140 hp v6. the ebrake is like all i got to have fun with lol. but il try and look and see if i can find anything wrong, i hope its not too big of a problem

[fire91bird]

well i fixed it today, it turned out it was just some of the little gears getting caught up on the handle thing, but a little wd40 fixed my whole problem haha

[89IROC&RS]

gotta love the easy fixes