Long Term Parking Brake Use

[Bambikiller240]

Carl, I was trying to figure this one out and this is what came to me:

The arm on the adjuster won't allow it to tighten past a certain point of resistance (shoe on the drum), that's why the "lugs" on the adjuster are canted and not straight cut.

If your idea were the case, you could only use the E-brake once in the life of the car.

I understand what you are saying about the angle of the adjuster teeth, but I can tell you for a fact that you can use the E-brake too much and it will overtighten the brakes over time. I cannot explain the "how" of it, but I've experienced having to deal with it, when my ex-wife always parked on a hill at work and set the E-brake tightly. She didn't get to drive my car too much after that and a few other situations.

EDIT: Maybe something was wrong with the E-Brake/Wheel cyl assembly that I didn't notice, and it got fixed when I took it apart? I dunno, but I didn't replace any parts at that time.

[beandip]

using the e brake as was noted adjusts the rear brakes as was stated . Each and every time it is used . It is only supposed to adjust when there is a certain amount of play ,due to wear of the shoes. At this point it is supposed to take up the slack but no more. Not ever useing the ebrake will result in having only front wheel brakes when the shoes wear sufficntly that there is to much clearence and they are no longer contacting the drum. I have this problem with my Wife's car , which is an automatic.

[AxtellZ]

I'll add my 2cents- I leave the car in gear when parked, if on a hill i put in gear opposite the slope (facing downhill=reverse & vice-versa) I use the parking brake in daily driving, but never engaged for long term (Winter here in NY) storage. Yes, it will rust & be a pain in the spring! The other thing i'll add, that no one has yet, is that some advise to use a length of wood or some such to partially depress the clutch pedal if the car is to be left parked for a looong time. Apparently that too can rust/bond in time. Carl Beck knows the details on that one!