Removing E-Brake

[FamilySteed]

I want to remove my E-Brake pedal and lines hanging under the truck. Is there any harm in removing this mechanism from the rear stock brakes?

I have an auto tranny, so for the short term i'm not worried about needing a E-brake.

 

[NeverSatisfied]

Seems odd to remove the E-brake, but it's your call. If you want to remove everthing there's a little lever arm on the rear drum shoe that has a clip holding it on. This is what the cable hooks to. I'd probably remove it to keep it from clanking around inside the drum.

 

[TwoHorses]

I'm in the same boat.. wondering if there are any situations you truly need the e-brake. Curious as to how often your brakes AND your automatic tranny would fail to the point where you would only have the e-brake option left to prevent the vehicle from rolling. Obviously we're disredarding legal implications.

 

[ugly74]

in my opinion, I'd leave it intact, and fix it if it doesn't work correctly.
I've seen two different Fords (one C6, and a C4) that decided to put themselves into reverse from park while they were running. I've also seen a C4 that would not hold the weight of the car when it was in park. it'd roll away going click click click. just my opinion.

 

[70_Steve]

I'm in the same boat.. wondering if there are any situations you truly need the e-brake. Curious as to how often your brakes AND your automatic tranny would fail to the point where you would only have the e-brake option left to prevent the vehicle from rolling. Obviously we're disredarding legal implications.

You guys are funny!! I hope you're talking about a trail-only rig. The brake under discussion is not called a Parking brake, it's called an Emergency brake. I'm curious as to what good your automatic transmission would do you if you were going 50 mph, some little kid stepped off the curb in front of you, and your brakes failed.

 

[FamilySteed]

since i started this..

This is only my personal experience, but the only time i've ever used an emergency brake was to use it as a parking brake with a manual transmission. i honestly can say i've never thought of using my e-brake in an emergency situation, that was a very interesting scenerio to me. with that said, to the people who have gone to 4-wheel disc brakes, do you make sure you buy calipers with e-brakes or do you put in a line lock?

 

[TwoHorses]

I believe all rear disk brake assemblies have a parking brake designed into them. My conversion on the Mustang has one.

I also don't believe I'd never use the E-brake in the scenario regarding a kid running out in front. The use of your normal brakes should give you the same result. If you lock your wheels... you lock your wheels. Stuffing or pulling the E-brake cable won't help anything once your tires are locked up. Besides... who ever has time to do all of the extra effort in an emergency.

Now I can't comment in regards to the automatic tranny acting as mentioned (coming out of gear)?? Never heard that one.

 

[TJK74]

I believe all rear disk brake assemblies have a parking brake designed into them. My conversion on the Mustang has one.

I also don't believe I'd never use the E-brake in the scenario regarding a kid running out in front. The use of your normal brakes should give you the same result. If you lock your wheels... you lock your wheels. Stuffing or pulling the E-brake cable won't help anything once your tires are locked up. Besides... who ever has time to do all of the extra effort in an emergency.

Now I can't comment in regards to the automatic tranny acting as mentioned (coming out of gear)?? Never heard that one.

Well I can tell you is if you have ever split or mashed a brake line or had your MC fail you will realize the importance of a good working e-brake. Also putting severe load on the park pin in a C4 is not a good practice to get into cause they do wear as well as fail when they fail your rig will be rolling and when they wear you either have a hard time getting it out of park under load or it wont come out at all untill the load is releaved.
I use my e-brake quite a bit especially on the trail when parked on an angle

 

[76Broncofromhell]

Sometimes you won't be able to get your rig out of park on a steep hill. Park is not made to support such a huge load hence why the parking brake is on your Bronco. I say fix it and leave it. Not having one limits places you can leave your Bronco.

 

[thegreatjustino]

I honestly can say i've never thought of using my e-brake in an emergency situation, that was a very interesting scenerio to me.

I also don't believe I'd never use the E-brake in the scenario regarding a kid running out in front. The use of your normal brakes should give you the same result. If you lock your wheels... you lock your wheels. Stuffing or pulling the E-brake cable won't help anything once your tires are locked up. Besides... who ever has time to do all of the extra effort in an emergency.

Wow, someone needs to review a driving safety manual. One of the first things we were taught in driver's ed class way back when was that if your brakes failed you hold the e-brake release handle while pumping the pedal. This way, you are not leaving the brake engaged thereby locking up the rear tires.

 

[TwoHorses]

I guess I'm just different.... in my twenty plus years of driving numerous vehicles with automatic tranny's... I've never once used the e-brake. Manuals are a different story for obvious reasons.

Point taken on the parking on a steep angle however. I understand what you mean..... I guess I would just avoid that situation. As far as pinching a line open... thankfully modern technology invented dual resevoir systems to help in that situation.

To each his own however... but this has been a good topic. THANKS!!

 

[Flash69]

When i got my EB it didnt have none of the E Brake hardware in it. I had to scrounge around looking for all the parts and i finally found what i needed in N.C. I absolutely dont want mine without the E Brake. You never know when you might need it. Im sure that is one part on the system that is taken for granted and is not thought about much until it is needed. Kinda like mashing your finger and not being able to use it. That is when you really appreciate your finger.

 

[Sasquatch]

C4's are bad about the parking pawl breaking off. I have seen it many, many times. Doing away with the E-brake is a bad idea IMHO. Check with your local laws also, I know NC requires one to pass inspections. Besides, doesnt the use of the e-brake work the self adjusters?? If so, without it you'll need to crawl under there and adjust the shoes every so often. SB

 

[Bronco Brian]

I say a big NO NO on July 31 I was hit by my work truck it was in park pop out hit me in the right side pushed into a metal bilding Broke 2 Ribs Crack my Sternum ( Big bone in Chest) dislocaled my Clavicle Was off work for 3 months lucky I did not Die so I now set the parking brake!

 

[daj]

TRY PUTTING YOUR BRONC IN PARK WHILE ROLLING EVEN A LITTLE!
Ahh you do need an E brake. My 02.
dj

 

[00gyrhed]

e-brake

do not remove it. It is easy to loose hydraulic brakes especialy on old rigs. I have been driving for 30 years and have used it twice in a brake failure situation.

Once at 70 MPH coming off and exit ramp from the highway. I had put a small hole is the rear brake line driving offroad in a 55 GMC pickup. (Single chamber master cylinder). Even though it did not slow the truck up as fast as I wanted it did eventually stop but I missed my turn.

The second time was in my 92 ford bronco, when a kid ran a red light. The aluminum master cylinder ruptured. Split right open. I still hit him but not as hard.;D

Your parking pawl on the auto will break right off in either situation.