I had my car at the dealer for another issue and was told I may need to have my hand (or parking brake?) pads replaced before the State safety inspection due in Sep. They said it will not hold the car at 1200 RPM's.
I tried it and it will only hold if you really pull hard on the hand brake. I recall reading something one time that you can adjust the hand brake by using it to stop in reverse. Is this true?
What is the procedure for adjusting a C5 hand brake?
Bob,
I just went outside and tried it three times. Did not seem to do much. Maybe my hand brake pads are bad? The service writer at the dealership said it has to be able to hold the car at 1200 RPM. I think it would hold if I had an automatic. Kind of hard to do with a 6-Speed.
aRKay
I'm completely blown away by the 1200 rpm state requirement. Nice for a Corolla with automatic, rather questionable for a 'vette (particularly with 6-spd.) Respects to Texas but this sounds a bad case of "dumb in the statehouse."
No mention of adjustment in the '02 manual but it was a C4 feature and probably applies to all C5s as well. Can't tell if my slack adjuster does anything because most of my parking is on level surfaces and putting it in reverse is about all I want to do.
Section 7 of the '02 owner's manual has a test for the parking brake. Park on a "steep" downgrade, apply the brake, put the car in neutral, see if it holds. That seems better than trying to overpower the brake with the engine.
Next concern is with the dealer. Did they provide a measure of remaining pad thickness on the service invoice or is a case of, "Service advisor clairvoyance?" (I personally doubt that they would measure remaining pad thickness unless you paid for such an inspection or it was part of one of those "annual" service packages that goes for $ 300-400.)
-- PJ
PJ,
I suspected a dealer rip off when they advised me the hand brake would not pass the Texas safety inspection and I may need new pads for $200 to $250.
About the only time I ever use the hand brake is while stopped a red light on steep hill when some dumb-ass driver pulls right up behind me. I start and then release the brake to save having to ride the clutch and prevent rolling back. I also use it when parked on steep hills. It does these jobs fine.
State safety inspections generate extra income for garages; however, I question if they really keep the junkers off the road. The junkers do not have inspection stickers, current license plates or insurance. They don't get ticked because it is a waste of police time and does not really generate income. Safety inspections are just another form of taxation.
What state is requiring this, mine expires in September too
Empty3
why not use your break peddle to hold it instead ?
I think smoke is being blowed your way :-) if it works ? don't fix it. you can probably pass inspection anyway. I would just try first, before trying to correct a problem that doesn't exist.
my2¢
-- "Key"
Your great state of Texas.
You missed the whole point of the Texas safety inspection program. It is another form of taxation and a means for repair places to charge you for stuff you don't really need. It does not get junkers off the roads. They don't use license plates, inspections or pay traffic fines.
The service writer is a well trained employee to sell you stuff you don't really need.
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