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Parking brake issues 1978 Eldorado

Started by dennisspeaks, November 06, 2020, 04:31:27 PM

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dennisspeaks

I recently had my brakes done and afterwards there were problems with the infamous parking brake making noise.  I am looking for answers on what to do, he mechanic suggested disconnecting the cable but I am not on board with that.  He said the parking brake does not release due to adjustment over adjusted.  Since this is not his specialty I wanted to reach out to the experts.

Thanks,

Dennis
CURRENT CLASSIC CARS
1939 Cadillac
1976 Eldorado convertible
1978 Toronado XS
1994 Deville
1989 Fleetwood
1989 Town Car
1982 Mark VI

PAST CARS
1978 Biarritz
1978 Eldorado
1978 Biarritz
1978 Biarritz
1974 Eldorado - RIP
1976 Eldorado Vert
1975 Sedan d'Elegance
1990 Sedan Deville -gave to son
1988 Fleetwood Brougham - gave to daughter
1968 GTO
1965 Olds 442
1975 Caprice Classic Sold

TJ Hopland

Over adjusting isn't normally something that happens to these,  I'm not even sure how you would do it and am trying to think of if there is a way they could be assembled wrong that would let that happen.   To un adjust them there is a tool that fits into the piston and then you basically screw the piston back into the caliper.   To do that you do have to remove the caliper off the rotor and then remove the pads so its not the easiest process. 

You said these were new or rebuilt calipers?    Did you do the hoses so you know they are not having internal issues causing pressure to stay in the calipers?
StPaul/Mpls, MN USA

73 Eldo convert w/FiTech EFI
80 Eldo Diesel
90 CDV
And other assorted stuff I keep buying for some reason

J. Skelly

Dennis,

Is the parking brake cable somewhat rusty?  Maybe it is slightly bound up from being monkeyed around with while working on the regular brakes.   Did the mechanic indicate the cable is stretched? 

As you may know, the parking brake pedal is vacuum operated and is supposed to release when the car is put in gear.  Are you sure the parking brake fully releases?   There is also a manual override lever under the dash above the pedal.  Try pulling that handle and listen for any noise.  It's possible the brake isn't fully releasing.  If it now releases, check for a brittle vacuum hose coming out of the parking brake pedal assembly.

Good luck!
Jim Skelly, CLC #15958
1968 Eldorado
1977 Eldorado Biarritz
1971 Eldorado (RIP)

J. Skelly

Dennis,

I found no photos of the cable assembly from under the car in the 1977 Service Manual. 
Jim Skelly, CLC #15958
1968 Eldorado
1977 Eldorado Biarritz
1971 Eldorado (RIP)

Michael Petti

I second the idea of checking for rusty cables. Even newer cars have this problem if the emergency brake is not used for long periods of time. Double that if the car is exposed to wet or snowy weather.

Cape Cod Fleetwood

"IF" the issue is the parking/emergency brake cables being crappy, I had mine done at InLineTube. Sent them my old
ones, they made me all brand new cables in stainless steel. $175 I think and wicked fast turnaround time.
There are 2 kinds of cars in the world, Cadillac and everything else....

The Present -1970 Fleetwood Brougham

The Past -
1996 Deville Concours
1987 Sedan De Ville "Commonwealth Edition"
1981 Coupe De Ville (8-6-4)
1976 Sedan De Ville
1975 Sedan De Ville

The Daily Driver and work slave -
2008 GMC Acadia SLT *options/all

Michael Petti

Got my new cables from Fusick Automotive. Roughly same price for a pair and 3 or 4 day delivery. They work fine. Good luck.

dennisspeaks

Thanks for the suggestions, yes the car has been sitting for awhile, last tabbed in 1993
CURRENT CLASSIC CARS
1939 Cadillac
1976 Eldorado convertible
1978 Toronado XS
1994 Deville
1989 Fleetwood
1989 Town Car
1982 Mark VI

PAST CARS
1978 Biarritz
1978 Eldorado
1978 Biarritz
1978 Biarritz
1974 Eldorado - RIP
1976 Eldorado Vert
1975 Sedan d'Elegance
1990 Sedan Deville -gave to son
1988 Fleetwood Brougham - gave to daughter
1968 GTO
1965 Olds 442
1975 Caprice Classic Sold