E brake part question.

[Tom Sarno]

As always, nothing is going as easy as planed. I set up the clearances on the spindles of my '74 and planed on pressing them together. All I had to do was install the e-brake system to the plates and I was good to go. I opened the new package of brake hardware, (I bought the new mounting hardware so it would go smooth without any surprises) and that's when I noticed one of the wave washers for the lever was missing. I was not surprised that it was not going smoothly, but I figured a trip to the hardware store was all I needed. I was not surprised to find out that they did not carry the washers so I head to the industrial supply that always has what I need. They did not have it either, which was also not a surprise at this point.

I hate to use old parts but it's only a washer so I headed back to the shop to dismantle the old lever and reuse the old washer. Now I was very surprised to find out that the old washer was 1/4" and the new set-up used a 7/32" pin and washer.

Is there any place to buy one 7/32" wave washer and has anyone ever ordered parts, opened the package and installed them without problems? I am waiting for the day when I plan a project and it goes smoothly without surprises.

Thanks
Tom

[Wayne W.]

Re: E brake part question.

The best thing to do is to use the old levers anyway. The 7/32 shaft is subject to break. I have had this problem a couple of times, and I will not use them anymore.

[Tom Sarno]

Re: E brake part question.

Wayne.

The old original levers are rusted to the point that they are not as strong as the 7/32".

I can't believe this is holding up the assembly of the rear suspention!

Thanks
Tom

[Mike Sasser]

Re: E brake part question.

Be careful that the new brake levers are stong enough, I used the levers that came with my kit because they were "new" and both sides broke within a month. I had to take them apart again and use the old ones. And of course I had to remove the spidles to do the job over ......a lesson learned the hard way.

[Joe L.]

Re: E brake part question.

Mike-----

Which "kits" are you guys using? GM never sold these pieces as "kits". Are you using the Stainless Steel Brakes Corporation kits? Or, are you using some other kits?

[Wayne W.]

Re: E brake part question.

They are SS kits. I dont know who the manufacturer is, but the rivet is pressed in and has a reduced diameter shank instead of the straight through design of the original. It is not as strong as the original and will snap off.

[Joe L.]

Re: E brake part question.

Wayne-----

Usually, if they are of Stainless Steel Brake Corporation origin, the levers will have their SSBC logo embossed on them. If you have some around, I'd be interested in whether the ones with the weakness which you describe are, indeed, of SSBC manufacture. I thought that they were the only ones making these pieces, but maybe others have "gotten into the act".

I've used these parts on my car for years with no problem. However, perhaps there was a change in design over the years or, perhaps, the ones that you are talking about are not of SSBC manufacture. My general recollection is that the SSBC levers came as a pre-assembled unit whereas the GM pieces come only as seperate pieces that have to be assembled by the user (lever, strut, washer, clip).

[Wayne W.]

Re: E brake part question.

I will check. I have a couple of broken ones.

[Mike Sasser]

Re: E brake part question.

I wish I could say for sure where the stainless steel kit was purchased or the manufacturer of the kit but it was a couple of years ago. I have since bought a kit from Corvette Central for another car and the lever was of a much stronger design. Does GM still sell this part?

[Joe L.]

Re: E brake part question.

Mike-----

I screwed up the previous response in a way which would create much confusion, so I deleted it and am re-posting.

Yes, the parts are still available from GM, but only as individual pieces. Each side requires a strut and a lever. Also, the pieces are a bit expensive, but here they are:

STRUT, left side------GM #18013170------GM list $13.27

STRUT, right side-----GM #18013171------GM list $13.27

LEVER, left side------GM #5468678-------GM list $17.14

LEVER, right side-----GM #5468679-------GM list $17.14

Also, the above part numbers are not "switched"; for some reason, these pieces are the opposite of the usual GM part number "convention" of odd=left; even=right.

[Tom Sarno]

No markings

I looked at the parts I have and the only marking is an 'L' and an 'R'. I bought this kit at Carlisle at least 2 years ago from a private party that was selling of various used and new parts.

I think I will still use them and be gentle with the parking brake. It is little set backs like this that has made this project take over three years to become a rolling chassis only.

Tom

[Tom Sarno]

They are not made of stainless *NM* *NM*

[Tom Sarno]

Re: E brake part question.

Wayne,

Do you have an extra spring washer that went with the broken one. I would gladly buy it.

Tom

[Steve L.]

Re: E brake part question.

Why do they call this E brakes. My 73, right out of the factory wouldn't hold very well in the forward direction but held well in the reverse.

The garage I used at one time was opposite a small incline. I would park the vette on the incline, crank the handle as hard as I could, then go open the garage door. Once just as I was opening the door, the car slide down the incline and right into the garage-lucky timing, had to get my toes out of the road--fast.

That was the last time I ever used that brake--I think it was in 73.

[Geoff C.]