cruiser54 Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 I may have found an easy way to fix the park brake ratchet issue. Here are some teaser photos. Got the work done to the ratchet, but too late to reinstall last night. Image Not FoundImage Not FoundImage Not Found Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 :drool: waiting for more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted June 7, 2015 Author Share Posted June 7, 2015 Real quick before I head out. The spring appears to be the biggest culprit. WAAAAAAAY too weak for the task of holding the pawl into the teeth. Perhaps that alone would be a fix. You can see the difference in springs used in one of the photos. I opted to do what ftpiercecracker did and eliminate the side to side play in the pedal. I did that by using some sockets and a vice to squeeze the whole shebang tighter. Took a coupla times to get it where I wanted it. I've only bench tested it but I think I'll be okay with this fix. I'll reinstall it later. And BTW, the old FSM leaves out details that are critical for removing the assembly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpdriver1 Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 nice one Cruiser -- keep us updated please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted June 7, 2015 Author Share Posted June 7, 2015 nice one Cruiser -- keep us updated please I will. Just got home. I'll try to get it back together today or this evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockfrog Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 When I fixed mine, I shortened and recurved the spring (essentially making the spring stronger). And some lube on the mechanism. Like many things, it gets sticky without lube. Prior to this it would not lock at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted June 8, 2015 Author Share Posted June 8, 2015 Works like a champ!!! I've been wondering if JUST a stronger spring would do the trick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knucklehead97 Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 Has anyone ever figured out how to keep the parking brake from taking off your fingers when you let it go? Mine shoots up past where its supposed to stop and tries to hit my hand... also seems like it returns with way to much force. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 where did you get the spring? part no. What steps is the FSM missing? On mine, the ratchet slips. It just doesn't hold for shoot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 Works like a champ!!! I've been wondering if JUST a stronger spring would do the trick. Was it broke before you changed the spring? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted June 8, 2015 Author Share Posted June 8, 2015 Works like a champ!!! I've been wondering if JUST a stronger spring would do the trick. Was it broke before you changed the spring? Yes. Set it and it pops right off. I suspected the teeth were worn but they weren't. The spring they used tensioning the pawl from the factory isn't as strong as one in a ball point pen. There was a recall on these after numerous failures in the field. Didn't fix the issue. Same old crap going in on the recall. If there's a way to replace that spring without removing the assembly, it would be worth it. What a b*@$£. As for the spring, I scrounged one out of my collection and shortened it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockfrog Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 I removed my spring and replaced it while the assembly was still in place. It was a pain contorting into the footwell, dropped the spring several times. Issue with dropping the spring was it liked to fall inside the pocket between the ratchet and base. Small mirror and a set of mini long nose needle nose to grab it. But, sound like less hassle than removing. Mine was the same issue, push pedal, but the pawl refused to lock at all. Now it all works perfectly. I definitely agree though, a stronger spring would likely solve many issues. I suspect the stripped ones are from an incorrect lock due to a weak spring. So it locks at the minimum limits and strips a little each use until one day it just let's go. Similar effect as trying a 3/8" socket on those E12 bolts on the trans (go admit at least some of us have tried). A higher tension spring would push the pawl deeper into the ratchet and reduce the effect if not end it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted June 8, 2015 Author Share Posted June 8, 2015 I removed my spring and replaced it while the assembly was still in place. It was a pain contorting into the footwell, dropped the spring several times. Issue with dropping the spring was it liked to fall inside the pocket between the ratchet and base. Small mirror and a set of mini long nose needle nose to grab it. But, sound like less hassle than removing. Mine was the same issue, push pedal, but the pawl refused to lock at all. Now it all works perfectly. I definitely agree though, a stronger spring would likely solve many issues. I suspect the stripped ones are from an incorrect lock due to a weak spring. So it locks at the minimum limits and strips a little each use until one day it just let's go. Similar effect as trying a 3/8" socket on those E12 bolts on the trans (go admit at least some of us have tried). A higher tension spring would push the pawl deeper into the ratchet and reduce the effect if not end it. The teeth on mine were perfect. We need to find a commercially available spring. I've got my old one as a sample. And what about stuffing a paper towel down into the area where the spring can drop while doing the repair? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDude Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 Mines doing the same thing. I'd really like to have a parking brake again, especially since it's a stick.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted June 8, 2015 Author Share Posted June 8, 2015 Image Not FoundImage Not FoundWell, I'll get the dimensions of the stock spring for you guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockfrog Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 I have to run to the local parts bins (Canadian Tire, and Home Depot) so I'll look for something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siopposition Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 Is that the new spring or the stock under equipped spring? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-man930 Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 What makes it so difficult to remove the assembly may I ask? Does the dash have to come loose or what? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted June 8, 2015 Author Share Posted June 8, 2015 Is that the new spring or the stock under equipped spring? Stock is the wimpy one underneath the installed spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted June 8, 2015 Author Share Posted June 8, 2015 What makes it so difficult to remove the assembly may I ask? Does the dash have to come loose or what? One bolt is right next to the fusebox so has little clearance, and it has a dash brace on top of the parkbrake assembly but under the bolt head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 I removed my spring and replaced it while the assembly was still in place. It was a pain contorting into the footwell, dropped the spring several times. Issue with dropping the spring was it liked to fall inside the pocket between the ratchet and base. Small mirror and a set of mini long nose needle nose to grab it. But, sound like less hassle than removing. Mine was the same issue, push pedal, but the pawl refused to lock at all. Now it all works perfectly. I definitely agree though, a stronger spring would likely solve many issues. I suspect the stripped ones are from an incorrect lock due to a weak spring. So it locks at the minimum limits and strips a little each use until one day it just let's go. Similar effect as trying a 3/8" socket on those E12 bolts on the trans (go admit at least some of us have tried). A higher tension spring would push the pawl deeper into the ratchet and reduce the effect if not end it. Once my back recovers from contorting around under the dash last Sunday, I'm gonna take a peek at what you did. Maybe I can find a replacement spring at true value that has a part number also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockfrog Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 I looked for a standard spring at the local Lordco here, nothing short enough. Headed into work for 8 days, so I'll have to search the others after I get back. I suspect that a Yoga Guru would survive better than we do at this. I was damn near upside down in the seat when I finally got the spring in. A tilt column adds a few more millimeters of contorting room. But, I dare say it was still easier than pulling the assembly. I shortened my stock spring by roughly 1/3 it's length. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 I knew I shouldn't have quit my Thursday night yoga class.............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wesleypipesyo Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 I knew I shouldn't have quit my Thursday night yoga class.............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockfrog Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 More like ... https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR0vkVt03Tj7zxLTRwUjVLZYnPRyEQen4Fk9NGoXyn64E-yR6OrAg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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