E-brake spring on left caliper is hanging up...

[JaySHOguy]

I just replaced both of the parking brake cables on my '89. I still have the problem of the left caliper not releasing all of the way. Is there something I can do to make the spring rebound faster? It comes back up about 3/4 of the way, then stops.
Any ideas?
Thanks!

 

[ghostrider]

Is it all rusty and gunked up? It could be that the spring is fronzen up partially. You could try and douse it with some mineral oil of sorts, PB Blaster, liquid wrench, or WD-40, to see if it frees up any.

 

[JaySHOguy]

ghostrider:
Is it all rusty and gunked up? It could be that the spring is fronzen up partially. You could try and douse it with some mineral oil of sorts, PB Blaster, liquid wrench, or WD-40, to see if it frees up any.

Well, i can move it around with a screwdriver to free it up. It doesn't take much to move it. Someone else mentioned that I should rebuild the caliper... I am starting to dislike this car...

 

[rangerj]

Jason,

Either the spring has lost its tension and will not fully rebound, or the caliper is frozen. If it does not take much effort to move the spring, and release the brake by hand, then it would indicate the spring has lost its tension, that is its ability to rebound as strong as it should.

Heat is usually the culpret that ruins a spring. You could have a frozen caliper that is causing the brake to drag, and get very hot.

Are dragging brakes the reason you replaced the emergency brake cables? Make sure your calipers are working properly before you consider this job complete. rangerj

 

[JaySHOguy]

rangerj:
Jason,

Either the spring has lost its tension and will not fully rebound, or the caliper is frozen. If it does not take much effort to move the spring, and release the brake by hand, then it would indicate the spring has lost its tension, that is its ability to rebound as strong as it should.

Heat is usually the culpret that ruins a spring. You could have a frozen caliper that is causing the brake to drag, and get very hot.

Are dragging brakes the reason you replaced the emergency brake cables? Make sure your calipers are working properly before you consider this job complete. rangerj

I replaced the cables because if I set the brake... neither one would release when I pulled the handle. After I changed the cables, the right rear would release all the way, but the left side won't. If I move the spring out of the way, the e-brake piece of the caliper still stays where it was, unless I move it with a screwdriver. This sucks. I STILL can't go and get an inspection sticker until I get this fixed.
Jason

 

[smcallis]

Replacing the caliper is one option. Don't know if you can just get new springs. Sounds like the spring relaxed. On one of mine the mechanism moves hard. I have a tough time moving it with the screwdriver. But the spring still has enough umph to release it. I'm expecting to have to replace the caliper in the not too distant future.

 

[JaySHOguy]

smcallis:
Replacing the caliper is one option. Don't know if you can just get new springs. Sounds like the spring relaxed. On one of mine the mechanism moves hard. I have a tough time moving it with the screwdriver. But the spring still has enough umph to release it. I'm expecting to have to replace the caliper in the not too distant future.

Thanks for the idea... I will try to swap the spring from the caliper on my parts car. To me... there is no sense in changing a caliper when the brakes work just fine... Its only the e-brake.
Jason

 

[nothingtoseehere]

I would replace the calipers. I mean, you are rebuilding this car...might as well do it right. Autozone has rear calipers for $35.00. This saves you in the e-brake dept and protects you from the caliper crapping out down the road.

 

[SHO n'prove]

I have a gen II with your exact same problem. What you need from Autozone, Murrays, or any other auto parts store are the LOADED rear calipers. Depending on what store you go with they will be between $73 and $83 apiece. This does not include the core charge which is upwards of $55 apiece... and this is why I haven't replaced them yet. $250 initial payout just for parts hurts. What I'm planning on doing is getting the money together for all of the calipers front and back (fronts only run around $25 apiece, then paint them all a festive color which has yet to be determined, then change them all at the same time. Instant style and functionality.

 

[JaySHOguy]

RCADDELL:
Autozone has rear calipers for $35.00. This saves you in the e-brake dept and protects you from the caliper crapping out down the road.

Randy... what AutoZone has the rear calipers for only $35??? The cheapest price I have found was almost $60... and that is absolutely out of the question right now Being broke shoot

 

[nothingtoseehere]

I bought a set couple weeks ago form the Autozone on pst road in warwick, RI. There is a 70.00 core on each one....but if you do the brake job the day you buy the calipers....

 

[JaySHOguy]

RCADDELL:
I bought a set couple weeks ago form the Autozone on pst road in warwick, RI. There is a 70.00 core on each one....but if you do the brake job the day you buy the calipers....

Ok. I'll look around...but i may be getting a used one. So much cheaper and affordable right now wink

 

[rangerj]

Jason,

If you have a parts car, then pull the spring from the parts car and try it. If your brakes are working properly, with the exception of the emergency brake release on one side, why replace the calipers?

Try the spring from the parts car, and if it solves the problem you are done. If it does not solve the problem, then you are most likely going to have to replace the calipers.

While your in there changing the spring, make sure the new emergency brake cable is not binding or sticking. I know this is unlikely, but check it out so that you can cross this off of your list of possible causes of the problem. rangerj

 

[JaySHOguy]

rangerj:
Jason,

If your brakes are working properly, with the exception of the emergency brake release on one side, why replace the calipers?

While your in there changing the spring, make sure the new emergency brake cable is not binding or sticking. I know this is unlikely, but check it out so that you can cross this off of your list of possible causes of the problem. rangerj

That is exactly my thinking...
Also, I checked the cables before I installed them. All good. I'll get this sorted out eventually. Good thing it is not my daily driver yet. That is what my '90 SLO is for

 

[RStalveyARFF]

Randy, you have a different rear brake caliper than Jason, hence the 22 dollar price difference between the ones you bought and the ones Jason is seeing on the website. Pre 6/92 is $58.99 Post 6/92 is $36.99 The production change to the solid rotor allowed for a smaller rear caliper, so less casting and material was involved.