I just picked up a new ride and it doesn't have a e-brake. It has a manual transmission, if I have a automatic I wouldnt care really. It uses ford rears, but I have not taken them apart yet to see if the e-brake hardware is still there. Does anyone have any ideas or opinions what I should do? Thanks Gerry
if the emergency brake stuff is still inside the brake drums use them. you can get universal cables from Lokar and Gennie Shifter....plus brake levers. check out their websites if you don't have the hardware you should be able to find the stuff in a junkyard, or you can just use a pinion mounted brake. my `28 tudor has one from Streetrod Manufacturing..here is a link: http://www.tsmmfg.com/
You definitely want em! Had my truck warming up in the AM, stick without em brakes, truck "vibrated" enough that it took off and rolled into a ditch, put a big hurt on it. After fixing all the body damage I installed all new stuff along with Gennie Universal cables.
I has thinking about a line lock but it needs 12v to keep it activated. I checked out lokar I think that will be my best bet. Thanks for the help
I've used line locs for "warming up" purposes on flat pavement. I wouldn't trust them on hills or for any longer than a few minutes though. I was still able recently to get the parking brake hardware right from Ford for a 9", and used the Lokar universal cables. It's a nice set up.
a line lock is not an independent system , if you have a failure in the hydraulic brake system it will be of no use.
We over here must by law have an operational e/brake. No brake,no annual inspection/MOT p***. In a nutshell if your e/brake is missing or inop. you simply aren't allowed on the road. Personally even if it isn't a legal requirement in your state, I would have one anyway. Nice to have a mechanical back up,in the event of brake fade/failure.
Make a manual one with a ball valve they are out there for something, I have seen em used just need to pressurize system with brake pedal n turn valve off to rears.
EMERGENCY Dictionary: e·mer·gen·cy (ĭ-mûr'jən-sē n., pl., -cies. A serious situation or occurrence that happens UNEXPECTEDLY and demands IMMEDIATE action. A condition of urgent need for action or ***istance: a state of emergency. adj. For use during emergencies Thesaurus: emergency A highly volatile dangerous situation requiring immediate remedial action This is NOT a "parking" brake! It is Intended as a last resort when primary stopping apparatus fail. Not an option if you are driving where other people and children are or may be present. If you injure somebody the lawyers will explain it to you. Terry
If you look at Lokar stuff it is expensive. Yes we are talking about brakes, but I had a hard time spending the money so my modified never had an ebrake. What I stumbled onto when I went to replace the cables in my '95 Golf was that they looked nice and were really close to fitting early Ford brakes. They were cheap (comparatively) and look like they could be easily adapted if you have access to a lathe or even a drill. I have a set coiled up on my garage wall. when I get time I'm going to try to adapt them.
I just ordered the 11" hand brake and cable from summit. This will be my weekend project. Hopefully the spreader is in the brake ***embly.I dont mind sending the money to be safe then sorry.
E brakes are not brain surgery, just a litle mechanical action folks, cables are avaliable every where at your local FLAPS where the knowledegable staff can find something close.
NO LINE LOCKS! You need a cable with a little bit of stretch in it. The hydraulics have no give in them at all. When brakes cool, or when ANYTHING shifts or settles, you still need something to keep a bit of tension on the brake linings. Hydraulics will not do that. A cable has a bit of springiness in it. When a rotor cools off and shrinks away from the brake pads, what will move the brake pads farther in too keep the contact? A stretched cable will, hydraulic valves won't. REDUNDANCY- That also plays a huge part. When the other systems fail, have "one more" system (cable) that won't fail the same way at the same time as the other failing systems. That's the same thinking that allows aircraft and spacecraft to get back home even when some of their systems fail far away from home.
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