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E-Brake Issue?

Discussion in '348/355' started by Dr. Wynter, May 7, 2013.

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  1. Dr. Wynter

    Dr. Wynter Karting

    Apr 10, 2013
    136
    Michigan (and NYC)
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    #1 Dr. Wynter, May 7, 2013
    Since buying my 355 I've noticed that when I park on inclines or declines my car is prone to rolling even when my e-brake is pulled. I read the manual and it indicated that in cases when I am parked on hills I should engage first gear, pull e-brake and shut off the car. But even when I follow these guidelines my car still rolls....I essentially can only park the car on flat surfaces.

    Am I doing something wrong? Is there a trick to parking the car on hills that I am not following? I find it hard to believe that the full weight of the car is held only by the e-brake.
     
  2. Turbo Ron

    Turbo Ron Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    262
    West Los Angeles, CA
    Full Name:
    Ron Stavis
    #2 Turbo Ron, May 7, 2013
    The emergency brake sucks. It should hold in gear. If you are facing down hill try reverse gear. If you are facing up hill try putting it in first. My brake does not hold on even a small incline.
     
  3. fjb

    fjb Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 12, 2006
    754
    Full Name:
    UNK
    #3 fjb, May 7, 2013
    If it does not work it is not adjusted correctly or it is damaged or defective
     
  4. Turbo Ron

    Turbo Ron Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    262
    West Los Angeles, CA
    Full Name:
    Ron Stavis
    #4 Turbo Ron, May 7, 2013
    I had a Ferrari mechanic adjust mine, and it is not much better. Maybe I will try another mechanic. The last mechanic tightened the cable and said he realigned the pad. Minimal improvement.
     
  5. bosshog8

    bosshog8 Formula Junior

    Mar 13, 2011
    448
    Pinelands NJ
    Full Name:
    Demetrius
    #5 bosshog8, May 7, 2013
    This is a fairly good design for a parking brake on disks which has been used since the mid 60's. It has always held in every car I had (at least 12) that used it, including the 3 cars I currently have. The pads need to be broken in properly to function as intended and if they weren't then it will never work as it should or if someone used it as an emergency brake somewhere along the line that would also cause problems. It does wear and doesn't last forever either.

    What is most shocking is that your engine won't hold it. I have never seen that unless the clutch was shot or the engine had no compression.
     
  6. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 4, 2003
    12,058
    Wayne, NJ
    Full Name:
    Clyde E. McMurdy
    #6 ClydeM, May 7, 2013
    I have a very steep driveway.
    I don't trust the e-brake to hold the car, though I do have to tinker with adjusting it.
    And I can't just leave it in gear because it will, and has, rolled.
    But both together & it's good.
     
  7. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Nov 23, 2012
    16,047
    Orchard Park, NY
    Full Name:
    Dave Lelonek
    #7 Dave rocks, May 7, 2013
    It's a total mystery how to properly release the thing....I've tried all types of procedures and I just can't seem to find a consistent method...
     
  8. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2002
    5,966
    Milton, Wash.
    Full Name:
    Jeff B.
    #8 Miltonian, May 7, 2013
    I agree with Fred in post #3. I suspect that if you remove the rear discs and check the parking brake drums and shoes, you will find that they are either worn out or heavily glazed. Someone probably drove the car with the parking brake engaged. With good parts and proper adjustment, you should be satisfied with its operation. If I remember correctly, someone came up with a substitute for the original Ferrari shoes at a much more reasonable cost (from a BMW?).
     
  9. 348Jeff

    348Jeff Formula 3

    Oct 25, 2011
    1,547
    UK
    Full Name:
    Jeff
    #9 348Jeff, May 7, 2013
    355 has same handbrake setup as a 348 and if working properly should hold the car rock solid.

    When I got my 348 handbrake was non existant even after adjusting the cable underneath via the 2 adjustment nuts. In my case it turned out to be the shoes were worn to the backing one one side!! :-(

    Here's some links for you:

    Disassembly of rear brakes ie. removing calipers and disk/cleanup of shoes

    348 DIY "Restoration" - Page 43

    348 DIY "Restoration" - Page 44


    Adjustment of handbrake/fitting new hardware and shoes

    348 DIY "Restoration" - Page 45

    It all boils down to 3 areas.

    1) make sure shoes are in good condition

    2) adjust the shoes via the adjusters on each side with the 2 nut adjusters off the cable fully off

    3) adjust the cable travel via the 2 nuts under the door
     

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