E brake self destruct!

[Go Mifuni]

Well, my e brake finally kicked the bucket yesterday. From what I've read here, this is a pretty common thing. Now how do I get the rotor off to get the remnents out and replace it? Is there a special tool involved which removes the inverted wing-nut looking thing in the middle? Reversed threads? I've never taken off a rotor before. I'll need to replace those too as they look like crap. Another common problem I hear. Do we have the same exact brakes as the CVs and GMs?

[LVMarauder]

I cant wait to hear more on this but how the heck did you destroy your E-brake? I dont recall ever reading posts about E-brakes going south. Personally I never use mine except when im pointed nose down on a hill. Brakes warping is a common problem becuase the car weighs so much and high speed decells heat them up alot.Lots of options for rotors, suggest a search. Interesting thread.

[SergntMac]

Trashed e-brakes on Panthers is pretty common, though I've not seen much talk of it here.

Rear rotors should slide off after the caliper is removed. If yours have not been pulled before, there may be one of two retainer clips around the lugs, just twist them off. The rest of it is just standard brake tools.

[merc6]

guess I'm not the only one! How much does it usualy run for self instal Vs dealer fix?

[SergntMac]

I guess a brake shop would fix you up for 75-125 bucks, depending on parts.

[Go Mifuni]

I cant wait to hear more on this but how the heck did you destroy your E-brake? I dont recall ever reading posts about E-brakes going south. Personally I never use mine except when im pointed nose down on a hill. Brakes warping is a common problem becuase the car weighs so much and high speed decells heat them up alot.Lots of options for rotors, suggest a search. Interesting thread.

I remember recently reading a post or something about Panther E brakes rusting themselves into oblivion. Mine has been making this random clicking noise (passenger, rear) for a few weeks and then last night all of a sudden it sounded like I was dragging a gym locker behind me! I want to pull off the rotor but like I said, I'm not sure how.

[RoyLPita]

If the rotor has never been removed from the car, then there will be 2 small holding clips on 2 studs that keep it on the axle shaft when the caliper and bracket is off. You can use needlenose pliers to remove this. However, even if you do have the clips, they me frozen to the shaft.

[kj31067]

I remember recently reading a post or something about Panther E brakes rusting themselves into oblivion. Mine has been making this random clicking noise (passenger, rear) for a few weeks and then last night all of a sudden it sounded like I was dragging a gym locker behind me! I want to pull off the rotor but like I said, I'm not sure how.



i have that same damn noise and it has been driving me crazy.
how many miles do you have on yours. this could be the problem i am hearing
i ve got 29k

[kj31067]

the reason i ask about mileage is this a defect or an age / corrosion issue? i have had this intermittent click for about two weeks. some times with no brakes over a good bump, sometimes a loud metallic click about 1 second after i apply brakes. sometimes i hear it with window down in the low end of second when accelerating. i think i might be chasing two different noises .
i dont think going to the dealer and telling them i hear a clicking noise without narrowing it down a little will do me much good.
when time allows i guess i m going to have to jack it up and look around. i already did a quick look at heat shields, exhaust, and general underneath while it was parked.:confused:

[DEFYANT]

Use it or lose it.

I use the E-Brake often when parking. That way when I really *need* it, it will work - and not get stuck.

[MM03MOK]

Use it or lose it.

I use the E-Brake often when parking. That way when I really *need* it, it will work - and not get stuck.^^^ What Charlie said. ^^^

[fastblackmerc]

I use mine whenever it's parked.

[Joe Walsh]

^^^ What Charlie said. ^^^

Couldn't agree more!!

USE THE E-BRAKE REGULARLY!

Everyone I know who does NOT use their E-Brake ends up with a rusted out hardware, stuck cables and other problems.

Marianne never used her E-brake on her Escort wagon except when she would park in my inclined driveway.
One winter day she left my house during icy road conditions and I watched as she drove down my street dragging her locked rear wheels on the slippery road!
I flagged her down and we had to find a dry stretch of road to break loose the sticky E-Brake.:(

BTW: I love the MM's auto-release mechanism!

[TripleTransAm]

I used to use my e-brake all the time on my 1st MM until it was about 2 years old at which point it developed an amazingly annoying groaning sound everytime the car moved ever so slightly side-to-side when applied. I got tired of having people look at me as if I was driving a clunker everytime I got out of the car, so I stopped using it altogether.

Go Mifuni, I guess I wasn't the only ones with rotors that looked like crap, but maybe the only one who thought to post a picture. After 2 Marauders and one winter per car, I'm convinced these cars were not designed to be all-year-round cars. Those of you with garage-kept MMs are doing the smart thing.

And remember the rule of thumb about e-brakes: use it or lose it.

[MENINBLK]

I use my e-brake all the time and it has been nothing but problems.
I've also heard that the e-brake on the panthers suck royally.

It won't hold the car for squat.
I've had it adjusted for 4 or 5 times and it holds whenever it feels like.
There is nothing wrong with the cables or the hardware.
The system is stupid and it sucks.
Why can't we have rear calipers like every other car ?

[Marauderjack]

I have never used mine....I'll try it today and see what happens!!:confused:

Marauderjack:(

[Go Mifuni]

the reason i ask about mileage is this a defect or an age / corrosion issue? i have had this intermittent click for about two weeks. some times with no brakes over a good bump, sometimes a loud metallic click about 1 second after i apply brakes. sometimes i hear it with window down in the low end of second when accelerating. i think i might be chasing two different noises .
i dont think going to the dealer and telling them i hear a clicking noise without narrowing it down a little will do me much good.
when time allows i guess i m going to have to jack it up and look around. i already did a quick look at heat shields, exhaust, and general underneath while it was parked.:confused:

I've got 63k. The sound your describing is EXACTLY the sound mine was making until it finally STB.
Get it fixed.

[TripleTransAm]

Why can't we have rear calipers like every other car ?


What do we have?

Please don't tell me we have some sort of drum brake parking brake system on the Marauders. Because if we do, I'll have no choice but to go off on another one of my Anti-Ford-Engineering tirades. Why? Because I have the drum brake e-brake system on my WS6 and at just under 60000 miles, it still holds the car perfectly and securely and has done so since day one. The car is a six speed, and I never leave my car in gear when stopped, so the e-brake is all that has ever held the car and continues to do so without any problems (as has every other manual tranny car I've ever owned). The car is my "rain" car as well as my "regular" car, since the GTA and '78 are reserved for special occasions and nice days only, respectively.

Please tell me this isn't what we have on our Marauders...

[SergntMac]

Please tell me this isn't what we have on our Marauders... Sorry, /Steve, it's exactly what we have. The rear hubs are drums, with old school pads inside, but in smaller scale. Like other things in life, when you don't use it, it rots in place.

The e-brake on my KB#1x is fine, when the rear assemble gets maintenence, so does the E-brake. But my #3 Marauder is another story. Took it apart to install DR's EBC brake kit, and both left and right shoes were rusted into pieces. Just fell out when the hub came off. I didn't bother with a repair 'cause I never use it, maybe someday I'll get anal about it and replace everything. Brake monkey said "75-125 bucks" and I said "later".

[MM03MOK]

I didn't bother with a repair 'cause I never use it, maybe someday I'll get anal about it and replace everything. Brake monkey said "75-125 bucks" and I said "later".In MA, a working e-brake is required to "officially" pass inspection.

[jgc61sr2002]

In MA, a working e-brake is required to "officially" pass inspection.


Also in NY and most other states.

[RF Overlord]

My '94 Thunderbird SC used some sort of ratcheting thingie on the rear calipers to actuate the e-brake, but unfortunately for /Steve, the MM does have the mini drum kludge...I thought 8 years later we would have had some improvement, not a step backwards... :shake:

BTW, I always set the e-brake when leaving the car, unless it's on level ground...mine still works perfectly after 46,000 miles.

[Go Mifuni]

Took it apart to install DR's EBC brake kit, and both left and right shoes were rusted into pieces. Just fell out when the hub came off.

How did you get the hubs/rotors off? Was it two clips on the lugs as stated earlier? It should just slide off the lugs, right?
I've got to get this fixed before September rolls around and with my track record, I need to start on this now. :D

[RF Overlord]

Remove the 2 clips (if present).
Remove the caliper bracket.
Wire the caliper up out of the way. DO NOT let it hang by the hose.
The rotor *should* just slide off, although it may require a few blows from behind with a rubber or plastic mallet.

[SergntMac]

Nag, nag, nag...Alright already, I'll get it fixed!

[Go Mifuni]

Remove the 2 clips (if present).
Remove the caliper bracket.
Wire the caliper up out of the way. DO NOT let it hang by the hose.
The rotor *should* just slide off, although it may require a few blows from behind with a rubber or plastic mallet.

Thanks. I'm going to try and pull it apart tonight or tomorrow. I finally have time to do stuff after work. No more carting the kids around to their extra-curricular activities until fall.
Now......if I could only get my gears installed :rolleyes:

[RF Overlord]

Now......if I could only get my gears installed :rolleyes:Dude, what happened with your buddy at New England Dyno and Tuning?

BTW, my offer still stands...come down to the Cape and have Fenner's do it and I'll buy the chowdah... :P

[Go Mifuni]

Dude, what happened with your buddy at New England Dyno and Tuning?

BTW, my offer still stands...come down to the Cape and have Fenner's do it and I'll buy the chowdah... :P

I can't say no to chowdah!
What was his rate again?
Would I need to bring anything else besides what came with the gears?
Just curious but do I have to be under warranty to take advantage of the TSB on the axles?
Yeah, I know...I know....
You can PM me if you don't feel like answering here.

[TripleTransAm]

I thought 8 years later we would have had some improvement, not a step backwards... :shake:

No *****... if Pontiac could get it right in 1998, you'd think Ford would have managed to do a better job in 2003. :fire:
(and I have to add, I've not ever taken the unit apart for any sort of maintenance, as I'm still running on the original pads front and rear at under 60000 miles)

[RF Overlord]

You can PM me if you don't feel like answering here.PM sent...

[kj31067]

I've got 63k. The sound your describing is EXACTLY the sound mine was making until it finally STB.
Get it fixed.



yesterday after reading about e brake probs , i went out and set it and released it twice. im not sure if this is kosher, but when you set it , it is tuff to set and it barely moved and i didnt want to torque it with the 15 d . it set the light on and released o k but i m thinking it should go down a little further than it did. i dont know if this is normal with these cars. the good news is no more
click.i will give it a while and see what develops , but i think i will set it once in while for preventative reasons . it s funny, every car i have ever had, working e brake or not , i have never felt the need to use it. i guess i have a lot of faith in park pins!!!