'61 Parking Brake Switch

[Peter V.]

My original switch is broken. It's a two piece item that clamps to the shaft of the parking brake and accepts two wires in the top. The brass strip under the switch plunger is broken and won't correctly operate the switch. Suggestions?

[John F.]

Re: '61 Parking Brake Switch

I wish someone would write a tech article on rebuilding one if that is possible. Hope someone chimes in.

John F

[Dennis C.]

Re: '61 Parking Brake Switch

Peter,

Can you post a picture of your broken switch? It might trigger a repair idea.

Dennis

[Peter V.]

Re: '61 Parking Brake Switch

Don't know how to post a picture, Dennis. Reply with instructions and I'll give it a try.

[Dennis C.]

Re: '61 Parking Brake Switch

Don't know how to post a picture, Dennis. Reply with instructions and I'll give it a try.

Peter,

John Waggoner has posted instructions several times, you can search under his name. They will be better directions then I could give you.

You could also look in the FAQ section, I believe it is explained there also.

The basic steps are to select "Manage Attachments" from the reply screen. When the pop up window opens, select the browse button and go to where your photo is stored. Highlight the photo and choose open.

Once back at the Manage Attachments window, select upload and wait for your photo to upload. Afterwards, close the window and you will be back to the message reply screen. You can select "Preview Post" to make sure your picture is attached and then select "Submit Reply".

Once you actually do it, you will see it is very simple.

Dennis

[Las K.]

Re: '61 Parking Brake Switch

testing image

[Christopher R.]

Re: '61 Parking Brake Switch

I can't tell from the photo whether that switch is broken or not.

Also check for a nub on the shaft. That nub frequently wears down or falls out. The nub actuates that switch. I know Zip sells the nub. Perhaps others.

[Peter V.]

Re: '61 Parking Brake Switch

That picture posted by Las Kovacs is exactly the condition of my switch. I sent it to Eastern Corvettes in Ohio for an opinion on its "fixability".
Looks like the bottom of the actuator pin is missing in addition to the brass strap protecting the pin being broken. Any ideas?

[Dennis C.]

Re: '61 Parking Brake Switch

Peter,

Buy a strip of brass from McMaster Carr, form it and solder it to the remaining tab.


Dennis

[John H.]

Re: '61 Parking Brake Switch

Any local hobby shop will have a full selection of K&S brass rod, strip, plate, etc. on the counter (also copper, aluminum, stainless, etc.). Lots quicker (and cheaper) than an industrial supply house.

[Peter V.]

Re: '61 Parking Brake Switch

Mike Hack of Eastern Corvettes decided to fix the parking brake switch and posted the following to me in an email:

I was able to remove the internals of the switch and pin. The pin was out of round and worn on top with a groove in it. I tapped it straight, lapped it on a file, and rounded the head of the pin on a grinder to lessen the traction on the brass. Next I straightened the brass spring and soldered a copper reinforcement to the underside for a smoother and stiffer contact to the pin. I then filled the topside of the original (it was heavily grooved and had a hole in the center) with jb epoxy. Tomorrow or Monday the epoxy will be hardened and I can sand it smooth for a good contact with the pin on the e brake handle. Prior to epoxy I checked it with a meter and it worked perfectly 25+ times.

Mike also fixed my neutral safety switch when nobody else would touch it. Thought other might like to know.

[John F.]

Re: '61 Parking Brake Switch

My broken switch looks just like the one posted minus the broken off tang. Can someone post a pic of a good one or a repaired one? How much was the repair? See my pics of broken one/ disassembled. Also, do you need to take out the handle assemby to put a new pin in the shaft of the assembly?
John F

[Peter V.]

Re: '61 Parking Brake Switch

John,

Not sure if you can get the actuator pin back in the shaft while it's still installed. My pin was okay, just the switch was bad. Your switch looks intact, but if it isn't working speak with Mike Hack at Eastern Corvettes. he refurbished my switch for $60. He probably can tell you how to get the actuator pin back in the shaft as well.