Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Stack Exchange
Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [emergency-brakes]

Also called the hand brake or the e-brake, it is a cable operated device that applies and locks the rear brakes, the intent of which is to hold the vehicle while parked. Can also be used for stunts.

Also called the hand brake or the e-brake, it is a cable operated device that applies and locks the rear brakes, the intent of which is to hold the vehicle while parked. Can also be used for stunts.

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How far should you put your handbrake up?

My feeling is to just pull it up as far as it goes, but I've heard this is bad for the brakes and the car and so it would be better to pull it up with the button pressed till you feel slight resistance, then let go of the button and leave it as…
Mustafa
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Emergency brake metal latch has snapped off, can it be re-soldered?

The hammer hook that fixes the emergency-brake has come off and I found that some mechanics re-solder them. Can garages also re-solder handbrake cable pieces? Can I have a go myself?
bandybabboon
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VW Jetta parking brake loose after rear brakes replaced. Is it related?

I had my 2007 VW Jetta rear brakes replaced, including the rotors. When I picked up my car I noticed the parking brake was very loose, I almost have to take it at a 90 degree angle for the brake to hold the car. Before I took my car for service, it…
Roy C.
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The Parking Brake on my 1965 Buick hasn't been used in 20 years, what maintenance should be done before use?

I have a 1965 full-size Buick with front and rear drum brakes which has been in storage for several years. I never used the parking brake even when I used it as a daily driver so it's been engaged maybe twice since 1991. I've moved from a…
Wildcat Matt
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Reversed with handbreak on and manual transmission - how to diagnose problems if they arise?

I was nervous driving a borrowed manual transmission and, as I was parking, accidentally went over one of the rocks that line the sides of our driveway. The front wheels went over but the rock basically reached up to the side carriage of the car (it…
atkat12
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2003 Chevrolet Tracker - Brake Warning Light

2003 Chevrolet Tracker, brake warning light on dash stays on. If the hand brake is applied the light is slightly brighter. When hand brake is released, the light dims slightly. I have checked fluid level and disconnected the two wire connector to…
Kirk
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What points of failure should I be aware of when driving with only the parking brake?

To start off with, I know this is not ever an ideal scenario, and is probably illegal in most jurisdictions, HOWEVER, it may occur that the brakes go out while driving and someone needs to get to a brake shop to get things fixed. That being…
Sidney
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Drum brake shoes question

Hi guys I had my rear drum brakes replaced about a month ago. All new hardware, shoes, drums. Now my rear passenger ones are making a clicking noise at very low speeds. Took the drum off to examine and noticed the front left shoe retaining clip…
ohmmy
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Emergency Brakes feel like they are set but are not

When driving my 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix Wide track, it feels as if the emergency brake is on even though it isn't. What is causing this?
Doris Mallard
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Ford Fiesta zetec 2014

When I'm on a step hill pointing up. I pull the handbrake up. Take my foot of the brake pedal. The front of the car drops about an inch. Is this normal??
David
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diagnose emergency brake not working, 2003 dodge ram 1500 truck

My 2003 dodge ram emergency brake is not working. I push the pedal down and there is zero resistance. I release the pedal and it doesn't spring back to starting position, I have to grab the pedal and pull it up to get the light to go off. I can…
Mike Marseglia
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How to setup an emergency brake warning system?

I had the unfortunate experience of leaving my car parked in D gear with the emergency brake (aka hand brake) off. It rolled downhill and sustained some damage. Seems like the mechanism to stop me from getting the key out unless I'm in "Park" is…
urig
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Rear Rotor 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan

I am trying to change the rear pads and rotors on my 2006 GCV and the rear passenger rotor is not coming off. I have removed the caliper but I have not tried releasing any tension that may be caused by the emergency brake. Does anyone know if this…
Steve Salowitz
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Repairing rusted-out parking brake bracket on 2001 Ford F150

I'd like to repair the parking/emergency brake on a 2001 Ford F-150 XLT pickup. The front bracket has failed due to body rust. No local body shop is interested in performing the repair, and with a failed parking/emergency brake the vehicle will…
Andrew Henle
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How can I prevent hub and rotor rusting together?

I've got a 2013 BMW 335i with M-Sport options. It prompted this question but the issue (and probably the solutions) are not unique to it. Like many such vehicles, the rear brakes are part drum, part disc. Specifically, the rotor is shaped like a…
Edward
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