E-Brake

[myshtern]

My ebrake on the 2001 kia spectra sucks

Is there anything I can do?
Tighten anything?

Thanks

[STIBungy]

Define sucks.

[myshtern]

Its just really soft

It takes like a minute to stop from 10mph using it

In the first few notches, it has practically no effect

[Mario]

Tighten the cables, and have some drifting fun!

[THRICE]

Your car does not go fast enough to need brakes. So Kia saved money by making it sucky.


Just kidding! You were wide open, I couldn't resist. :D

[David]

maybe if you would stop copying Initial D your E-Brake wouldn't suck so much :p

[THRICE]

maybe if you would stop copying Initial D your E-Brake wouldn't suck so much :p

:rofl:

[LeonZ]

Who needs e-brake? Take it off, for weight reduction and you will go faster.

[CT9A]

My ebrake on the 2001 kia spectra sucks

Is there anything I can do?
Tighten anything?

Thanks
Drums or disks in the rear?

If they're drums, there should be an adjustment wheel in the brake assembly. If it's disks, then there should be a cable tensioner, usually under the center console.

[myshtern]

They are drums.

I dont watch initial D; too cool for that.

I have no clue as to what this adjustment wheel is. Who wants to show me?

[CT9A]

If you take the drum off, there's a "star wheel" that adjusts har far out the brake shoes are. Just click it a few notches till the e-brake feels right to you. Do not pull up on the e-brake or press the brake pedal without putting the drums back on! You will have a big mess to deal with if you do.

[stu]

You shouldn't even have to take the drums off though.

[STIBungy]

Yeah you do.

You shouldn't even have to take the drums off though.

[stu]

Hmm, you didn't on my '73 Beetle. I guess cars aren't as advanced as they used to be. :p

[doctorstupid]

my friend's 626 had no ebrake for the longest time, after repeated adjustment (without taking off the drums, by the way) i took of the drums to find nothing but dust that used to be pads. if the pad gets too thin the ebrake cable can't pull far enough... apparently.

[john]

You are not supposed to use the emergency brake to stop. You are supposed to use it to keep the car in place while parked.

Ok - if you lose the power brakes, then the Ebrake can be used to stop. But realize that it's only operating the rear brakes, and their stopping power is weak compared to the fronts. At least it's been that way in my cars.

Have you checked your rear brake pads?

[CT9A]

Hmm, you didn't on my '73 Beetle. I guess cars aren't as advanced as they used to be. :p
Some cars have an opening in the backing plate that allows you to stick a flat tool through it to adjust the wheel. Other cars, like my 91 Civic, don't have them and you have to take the drum off. It's a pain in the ass.

[AFAsucks]

i think i remember seeing some sort of cable adjustment "thing" in the center console of my brother's 93 civic, and those have drims in the back. maybe im mistaken. ill take another look at it, but im pretty sure i saw something like that.

[STIBungy]

It's a real pain when you forget that you have the parking brake on. :D

Some cars have an opening in the backing plate that allows you to stick a flat tool through it to adjust the wheel. Other cars, like my 91 Civic, don't have them and you have to take the drum off. It's a pain in the ass.

[David]

It's a real pain when you forget that you have the parking brake on. :D
I wouldn't ask this guy for help, i've seen what he does is parking garages :D