The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop E-Brake blues . . .

My 49 has the nasty habit of letting loose of the Emergency / Parking brake at the most inopportune times. I was loading the truck with a bunch of junk this weekend in the front yard with the engine running and it decided to take off when the brake popped off. I was able to run and jump in and stop it, but after the second time, I ended up shutting the engine off and just leaving it in gear. Anybody know of the magic bullet fix to get these things to keep from always popping off when you least expect them to?

I have had good luck grinding shallow notches on the pedal lock bar where it meets the pedal lock { space them about 1/2 " apart }. This creates a " catch " if it does slip ,it catches on the notches. It sometimes helps to sharpen the contact surface on the lock bar { kinda like sharpenong a knife } they seem to wear down over time & dont bite as well.

Ken, I had the same problem with my truck and the remedy was to adjust everything according to the book. The sad thing is I forgot what book I read it in! It was probably the shop manual. I will look for you if you want. I know I had to adjust up the cables first and then the release rod measurement was critical. It was only after all this that mine would hold.
Mothertrucker, I'll answer your question you asked on another tread, as to the Duramax, it seems to be alright and the only problem was that the bolts from the factory were not tightened on the torque converter. :p

Lionel, are you telling me that I should read the instructions? Oh man . . . your sounding like my wife! Next thing you'll be telling me to look on a map or stop and ask for directions next time I am lost. And people wonder why I have so many miles on my truck . . . read the directions? sheesh . . :rolleyes:

Ken ...Haven't you got a 4x from all that building!

You could set my radio on it's side and shove it under the wheel!
How is my radio?

That's why I keep lots of firewood handy.
When I fix the rear bearing seals then I will fix the handbrake.

Jim . . . what radio :confused:

AM works great! Looks real nice in my living room

It'll take a little effort to get it crated so that it wont get damaged, but you got a real beaut! The guy you bought it from had a dozen or so radios - super nice guy and I gave him my business card and told him what kind of radio I was interested in. He is getting up in years and he was glad to get rid of your radio because it was so big he couldn't move it around anymore.

Ken, must be a manly thing that we think we can fix it on or own. But after years of beating my head on the wall, sometimes I have to give in and read the instructions. Just like on the new truck, I didn't know how to shut off the radio after turning off the switch...."Open the door.....Didn't you read your manual?" a neighbor said. I've since had to use that manual several times. You high tech guys and your computers are really making it hard on us old guys.

Hey were is your dump truck at?

[ 11-18-2001: Message edited by: Lionel ]

Sometime you don't even have to read the manual just the DASH. When I worked at Pep Boys we had a gal there that worked the parts counter. Long story short her car was dead and she had gotten a friend to lend her their new mustang. Well she calls the store (cause she is late to work) and says I can't get it to shift(automatic) into gear! Help!! On the dash it says "Depress Brake pedal before shifting" She never lived that one down!!!!!

Yeah Brian, it is in those instances when you plainly notice and read the instructions, but act like you already knew it all the time. Instructions?!? what instructions?!?!?

OK Lionel, I'll dust off the shop manual and see what I come up with. Thanks for reminding me that I bought all these books for a reason!