1966 emergency brake problem & TSB #66-59
In short I have been unable to properly adjust the emergency brake on my 1966 using the shop manual procedure. Tighten up brakes back off 10 clicks, set brake handle to 4 clicks & adjust cables. The e-brakes are either all on or with brake handle pulled out the rotors can still be turned. I ran across TSB#66-59 (High parking brake application effort) which pretains to 65 & early 66 Vettes. In short a new e-brake lever part# 3899399 replaces the existing lever & a piece is cut out of another bracket on the frame cross member. It appears that my car has the revised lever but the bracket it attaches to has never been modified. I am having trouble understanding what, if any, improvenent this modification would serve. I can get plenty of tension on the cables but still not be able to keep the rear rotors from turning. If I add a few more clicks, it will be too tight. What am I missing? Thanks in advance.
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Re: 1966 emergency brake problem & TSB #66-59
Glen,
My memory of the TSB lever was to ease the effort to apply the brake so I am not sure this is your problem.
I suggest you adjust the parking brake adjusters so they drag then back off just a few clicks so you can still hear good contact between the shoe and rotor. Now adjust the cable with the handle pulled out four clicks and I bet all is fine. -
Re: 1966 emergency brake problem & TSB #66-59
Here is more 1966 parking brake information that others may find helpful. For most of you it is TMI. After discovering more information on the differences between the 64-E66 PN 3842938 (1st design) lever and the TSB#66-59 PN 3899399 (2nd design) lever, it was clear that my lever was the 1st design. I modified the lever and made the 3/8"X5/8" cut out in the crossmember bracket. Althought the brake handle seemed to pull easier I still had no parking brake. I removed wheels, calipers, & rotors to check the brake shoes, they were in very good condition and were stamped on the back with Delco Moraine PN5463540. I was pretty sure they were not the problem. While removing the shoes I found that the P brake lever assembly was not engaging the notches on the brake shoes. Thus, no movement of the shoes reguardless of the tension on the cables. Luckily I had only removed the shoes on one axle & was able to get them back in without pulling the spindle. This required a slight modification to the hold down spring cap. On the axle that the shoes had not removed I was able to remove the cable end ball and move lever backward to engage the shoes. When I readjusted the rear cables, with the brake handle at four clicks, there was a noticable difference (1 1/2" -2") in the location of the adjusting nuts on the threaded rod. Previously it appeared as if the cables were stretched out to the max. Now I have a Parking brake!Comment
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