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General Automotive question - parking in gear when Ebrake is broke

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by FarmerDave, Dec 28, 2004.

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  1. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
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    IgnoranteWest
    #1 FarmerDave, Dec 28, 2004
    (Hope y'all don't mind a non-ferrari-specific question!)

    Want opinions/philosophies on hill-parking procedure.

    The ebrake on my Chevy pickup (4.3L V6 5spd) is in serious need of adjestment, to the point that it will not hold the truck even a little bit if on an incline. For the last few days, I've been just leaving it in gear while it's parked on slight inclines. I really have to never park on any medium or steep inclines, but you never know. It's not ideal, but I haven't had a chance to adjust the ebrake, probably won't till the weekend.

    What damage can be done, to any manual-tranny vehicle, by leaving a car in gear on an incline? Does it cause undue stress to the drivetrain?
     
  2. Kds

    Kds F1 World Champ

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    #2 Kds, Dec 28, 2004
    I can't see how it would damage anything, as long as you don't park on extremely steep inclines and "suddenly" take your foot off the brake allowing the vehicle's weight to forcefully stop against the gear cluster that has been engaged.

    Could be wrong...but I have been doing this for 30+ years to every car I own.....never had a problem yet....with or without the e-brake actuated. I doubt the force exerted equals a mere fraction of that expended in normal driving under a full load.
     
  3. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Dave M.
    #3 dm_n_stuff, Dec 29, 2004
    Chock the rear wheel. Save yourself the expense of chasing your truck down the hill when the gears pop into neutral.

    Just toss a brick on the passenger seat, then use it to chock that rear wheel.

    That becomes your emergency parking brake, don't even have to fix the regular one.

    DM
     
  4. Auraraptor

    Auraraptor F1 World Champ
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    #4 Auraraptor, Dec 29, 2004
    Very good advice. You don't want it popping out all of a sudden.
     
  5. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
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    #5 FarmerDave, Dec 29, 2004
    As if my truck didn't look redneck enough. :D LOL

    Seriously, good idea, I'll do than until I have a chance to adjust it.

    Thx!
     
  6. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #6 dm_n_stuff, Dec 29, 2004
    Yup, pretty sure at least 10% of Texas brick sales are to pickup owners who have no e-brake.

    Although, since everything is bigger in Texas, maybe a cinder block would be better.
     
  7. twatson

    twatson Karting

    Feb 3, 2004
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    #7 twatson, Dec 29, 2004
    I personally wouldn't think twice about it but would make sure my wheel was turned into the curb. Remember that all that is holding the car still is the compression in the cylinders and no matter how good the compression is there is some leakage. I have seen cars move albeit slowly in gear on an incline without the em brake (my wife did that several years back and the car ended up in my neighbor's yard). Otherwise there is more stress on the drivetrain when you drive. Aside from the brick idea, if your truck is redneck enough you can also carry a large 2 by 4 on your gun rack (LOL).
     

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