Date:         Thu, 7 Jan 2010 15:34:08 -0800
Reply-To:     Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject:      Re: Frozen emergency brake
Comments: To: Luke Bakken <luke.bakken@GMAIL.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=original

my thoughts go to the cables.
could be frozen moisture in there.
You can get a rough feel for if they are working, just by pulling sideways
on the parking brake cables from under the van.
You can feel if there is any movement and return in the cables that way,
with luck, without taking things apart.

you might also just try loosening the parking brake adjustment.

It's never good to use the parking brake cable more than you need it.
One shouldn't also 'never' use the parking brake, it needs to be used to
keep things moving.

but absolutely yanking hard on the parking brake every time, whether level
or on a grade, should be avoided.
Some people unconsciously yank real hard on the parking brake cable every
time, which is unnecessary.
or leaving one on for long periods of time, especially in the winter -
that's asking asking for problems.

sometimes I undo the front ends of the parking brake cables, and squirt
water displacing fluid in them, or some good lube.

Scott
www.turbovans.com


----- Original Message -----
From: "Luke Bakken" <luke.bakken@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 12:57 PM
Subject: Frozen emergency brake


> Hey everyone,
>
> We've had some interesting weather here in Spokane WA - warm and wet
> the first part of the week then suddenly really cold beginning on
> Tuesday night. I got in my van yesterday to drive it around and
> discovered that the brakes weren't disengaging totally from using the
> e-brake. Thankfully I just drove around the block and back home, but
> the right-rear disc was definitely starting to get hot because I could
> hear it cooling down.
>
> I'm assuming that the weird weather change must have frozen something
> up but I'm wondering what the best way to diagnose this issue would
> be. The van has been upgraded to rear disc brakes using a "big brake"
> kit either from SmallCar or Van Cafe (the P.O. installed them). I'm
> assuming I can tap around the e-brake springs on the calipers with a
> hammer to see if I can loosen things up with the e-brake disengaged,
> but other suggestions are very welcome.
>
> Thanks,
> Luke