How many of you have a functioning emergency brake? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**'70_402** · 09-13-2017, 09:36 AM

I know the safety issues..... but seriously, if you have an automatic truck how many of you actually use your emergency brake... does yours even work??

Asking for a friend... lol

**truckster** · 09-13-2017, 10:05 AM

In our state it's required to be functioning in order to pass inspection. It has to hold the vehicle when in drive on a flat surface.

However, safety inspections go away on 1 January of next year.

cooperhw · 09-13-2017, 10:08 AM

On most of the hot rods I have built in the past this (along with others) is one of the things that was on the "to do" list that never made it to the top. I had to put my El Camino thru a complete vehicle inspection to gain a "restored salvage" title because it was totaled earlier in it's life, so I followed through and made this along with all the other items on the to do list work. It is nice to have a functioning e-brake, horn, license plate light, etc.
It's real easy to designate these little items to the "one of these days" lists, but I personally plan to keep at it from now on and make all these little things work as they should. JMO

*randy500* · 09-13-2017, 10:16 AM

I won't drive one without it working and it's right up there with making it run and stop, it's one of the first things I fix.

1SG.Rob · 09-13-2017, 10:32 AM

Mine works great and I always use it.

**raggedjim** · 09-13-2017, 10:51 AM

Not sure, I don't use one and never have.

Rg

muley · 09-13-2017, 10:53 AM

Ditto. Mine works just fine. Flat ground at idle, let the clutch out in 2nd gear and it will kill the motor. It holds pretty good.

**special-K** · 09-13-2017, 11:16 AM

I keep mine operational. Even if you just rely on Park to hold the vehicle there are still times you'll find you need it. In a perfect world, maybe not. But I've never been able to find that place.

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 09-13-2017, 12:13 PM

My E-brake saved my butt in the C-20. I knew the brakes were real bad, but I "had" to drive it home from the shop in the snow. What I didn't know was the brakes were so bad it was impossible to stop on ice.

So here I'm heading toward a stop sign against a busy four lane highway. It's not slowing down, not even a little bit. I steered toward the curve when I thought to hit the E-brake. Close one.

FRCvette · 09-13-2017, 12:14 PM

on my to do list. Will probably get to is this winter.

**Stocker** · 09-13-2017, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1SG.Rob

Mine works great and I always use it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

I keep mine operational. Even if you just rely on Park to hold the vehicle there are still times you'll find you need it. In a perfect world, maybe not. But I've never been able to find that place.

Same here. At home, I park on flat ground but I still set the parking brake, although just lightly. Out woodcutting, I'm almost always on a slope and you bet your life I use the parking brake!!!

BossHogg69 · 09-13-2017, 12:23 PM

my C10 is a 5 speed, so it works and I use it. My other two vehicles (see sig) are automatic and I always set the brake before putting them in park.

**HO455** · 09-13-2017, 12:37 PM

Having seen the piece of heavy sheet metal that holds the truck in park I don't have a lot of faith it will hold. So yes I use the E-brake.

toolboxchev · 09-13-2017, 12:40 PM

I like things to function no matter their appearance to the vain world. Maybe one day I will go out and attract the rest of vanity for my life.

BugzC10 · 09-13-2017, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1SG.Rob

Mine works great and I always use it.

Same here...set it every time I park, just a habit.

WayneE · 09-13-2017, 12:47 PM

Mine works.

Even though I have an auto, I use it if I park on a hill.

midniteblues · 09-13-2017, 01:23 PM

I was always told its called a emergency brake for a reason.

I had a auto square body that the colum linkage wasn't set just rite and at any given time even a very small incline that truck would click click click and roll away.
I fixed the linkage and still used the foot brake.
Till on day I had too park facing up hill on a steep street. I set the parking brake and got out.
Lil' later I got back in too leave and the dang brake wouldn't release both rear cables seized in the sheathing. That wasn't fun at all cutting the cables on a oe jack on that steep hill.

Replaced all and it works great still to this day the owner tells me.

Keep'em working guys cause you never know.

hamjet · 09-13-2017, 02:21 PM

mines automatic, but I only use it on a grade. I learned to use it every once in a while because if you dont they'll rust up and not function. then when its time for inspection I dont have to work on it to pass.

Hidesertchevy · 09-13-2017, 02:37 PM

Yes I have and use mine all the time

el_fantasma · 09-13-2017, 02:54 PM

Can't you shear the pin that keeps the transmission in park if you don't or is that folklore? Regardless, mine works and I use it on hills.

**'70_402** · 09-13-2017, 05:09 PM

wow... i'm surprised at these responses.. I used one when i had a 5 speed truck for obvious reasons... but I've never ever used on on an automatic vehicle, of course i do live in some of the flattest land in the country. no hills anywhere.. haha.

GRX · 09-13-2017, 05:09 PM

I do. Made a point to replace everything pertaining to the e-brakes when redoing the brake system on my '69 long stepper. Stopping is VERY important to me. Especially so after being behind the wheel of a two ton Pontiac with auto tranny when the brakes failed, and e-brake was frozen. Slamming it into park only resulted in snapping sounds. Never again!

Worst part about this truck was removing original cable bracket mount pins. Factory saw fit to swedge the pins. Grinding off both ends was not good enough since the part inside the boxed frame was swollen. Ended up drilling them out completely, then using the bolts included in the replacement kit.

outfield · 09-13-2017, 05:14 PM

Hi have a 4 speed truck and use mine all the time. It keeps the truck in the driveway.

PaPaStewySnipes · 09-13-2017, 05:18 PM

I'm installing mine with the wilwood d154 rear brake kit. Think of it this way, we are always doing work on our trucks. If for some reasons your brakes fail, you a have leak...etc, it will be there to help you stop, if not at the minimum it could save you and your truck. It not called an emergency brake for nothing.

35boulder · 09-13-2017, 05:18 PM

Yep, mine works and I use it.

09-13-2017, 09:36 AM	#1
'70_402 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Pampa, Texas Posts: 1,554	How many of you have a functioning emergency brake? I know the safety issues..... but seriously, if you have an automatic truck how many of you actually use your emergency brake... does yours even work?? Asking for a friend... lol __________________ https://www.ebay.com/itm/295742064443

09-13-2017, 10:05 AM	#2
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,791	Re: How many of you have a functioning emergency brake? In our state it's required to be functioning in order to pass inspection. It has to hold the vehicle when in drive on a flat surface. However, safety inspections go away on 1 January of next year. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

09-13-2017, 10:08 AM	#3
cooperhw Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Mesa AZ (Near Phoenix) Posts: 2,302	Re: How many of you have a functioning emergency brake? On most of the hot rods I have built in the past this (along with others) is one of the things that was on the "to do" list that never made it to the top. I had to put my El Camino thru a complete vehicle inspection to gain a "restored salvage" title because it was totaled earlier in it's life, so I followed through and made this along with all the other items on the to do list work. It is nice to have a functioning e-brake, horn, license plate light, etc. It's real easy to designate these little items to the "one of these days" lists, but I personally plan to keep at it from now on and make all these little things work as they should. JMO __________________ "Life is too short to drive a boring vehicle". Later, Wayne

09-13-2017, 10:16 AM	#4
randy500 Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 6,873	Re: How many of you have a functioning emergency brake? I won't drive one without it working and it's right up there with making it run and stop, it's one of the first things I fix.

09-13-2017, 10:32 AM	#5
1SG.Rob Registered User Join Date: May 2017 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 87	Re: How many of you have a functioning emergency brake? Mine works great and I always use it.

09-13-2017, 10:51 AM	#6
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,361	Re: How many of you have a functioning emergency brake? Not sure, I don't use one and never have. Rg __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd

09-13-2017, 10:53 AM	#7
muley Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Homedale, Idaho Posts: 160	Re: How many of you have a functioning emergency brake? Ditto. Mine works just fine. Flat ground at idle, let the clutch out in 2nd gear and it will kill the motor. It holds pretty good. __________________ Grandpa 1953 M38A1 Jeep 1989 GMC K2500 1958 Alaskan Camper all original WORK : A necessary evil that finances what I really like to do.

09-13-2017, 11:16 AM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: How many of you have a functioning emergency brake? I keep mine operational. Even if you just rely on Park to hold the vehicle there are still times you'll find you need it. In a perfect world, maybe not. But I've never been able to find that place. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

09-13-2017, 12:13 PM	#9
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,118	Re: How many of you have a functioning emergency brake? My E-brake saved my butt in the C-20. I knew the brakes were real bad, but I "had" to drive it home from the shop in the snow. What I didn't know was the brakes were so bad it was impossible to stop on ice. So here I'm heading toward a stop sign against a busy four lane highway. It's not slowing down, not even a little bit. I steered toward the curve when I thought to hit the E-brake. Close one. __________________ Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assm. guide "kit" for restoring it from ground up. With assys, the guide accts for 1000s of OEM identifications and part numbers, all written in short order. 700+ images include assm, illust., charts, and points of interest. Much of the info. applies to all 67-72 GM trucks, and to a lessor degree all 67-72 GM vehicles. My build thread, and more on the guide https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025

09-13-2017, 12:14 PM	#10
FRCvette Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: cincy Posts: 693	Re: How many of you have a functioning emergency brake? on my to do list. Will probably get to is this winter. __________________ There's something women like about a pick-up man 1967 c10 swb Stepside 2004 SSR 2013 Silverado swb

09-13-2017, 12:23 PM	#12
BossHogg69 motor exploder Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,346	Re: How many of you have a functioning emergency brake? my C10 is a 5 speed, so it works and I use it. My other two vehicles (see sig) are automatic and I always set the brake before putting them in park. __________________ Adam 1969 Chevy CST/10 stepside, DART Big M/TREMEC Magnum Extreme/3.73's w/Detroit Truetrac 1965 Chevy Bel Air Wagon (daily driver), 327/TH350,10 bolt w/3.08's 1961 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe, ZZ454/M21/9" rear w/3.50's & Detroit Truetrac 2005 GMC 1500 ccsb 2wd, 6.0L/4L65e/3.73 G80 2006 GMC 2500HD ccsb 4x4, DMax LBZ/Allison 6spd/4.56's w/Detroit TrueTrac Use the SEARCH function on this forum - it is your friend!!

09-13-2017, 12:37 PM	#13
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 10,787	Re: How many of you have a functioning emergency brake? Having seen the piece of heavy sheet metal that holds the truck in park I don't have a lot of faith it will hold. So yes I use the E-brake. __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban the WMB,1991 S(stink)-10 Blazer,1969 GTO, 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird. 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

09-13-2017, 12:40 PM	#14
toolboxchev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: 2nd left past the stump on a dirt road. Posts: 2,629	Re: How many of you have a functioning emergency brake? I like things to function no matter their appearance to the vain world. Maybe one day I will go out and attract the rest of vanity for my life.

09-13-2017, 12:47 PM	#16
WayneE Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Frederick, MD Posts: 123	Re: How many of you have a functioning emergency brake? Mine works. Even though I have an auto, I use it if I park on a hill. __________________ Wayne - '72 C10 Suburban

09-13-2017, 01:23 PM	#17
midniteblues Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: strausstown pa Posts: 3,394	Re: How many of you have a functioning emergency brake? I was always told its called a emergency brake for a reason. I had a auto square body that the colum linkage wasn't set just rite and at any given time even a very small incline that truck would click click click and roll away. I fixed the linkage and still used the foot brake. Till on day I had too park facing up hill on a steep street. I set the parking brake and got out. Lil' later I got back in too leave and the dang brake wouldn't release both rear cables seized in the sheathing. That wasn't fun at all cutting the cables on a oe jack on that steep hill. Replaced all and it works great still to this day the owner tells me. Keep'em working guys cause you never know. __________________ 81 camaro 355 4/spd 342 posi my first love. 67 swb step 454/4spd ott 373 posi 4/7 drop. 2000 s10 zr2 little blue truck that never gets stuck. '74 heald super bronc vt8. tecumseh powered moon rover.



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09-13-2017, 02:21 PM	#18
hamjet Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: South Westerlo, New York Posts: 1,325	Re: How many of you have a functioning emergency brake? mines automatic, but I only use it on a grade. I learned to use it every once in a while because if you dont they'll rust up and not function. then when its time for inspection I dont have to work on it to pass. __________________ Thanks, Joe.. 1969 C/10, 348 C.I., 3X2 bbl. V8, 2004r , LWB.

09-13-2017, 02:37 PM	#19
Hidesertchevy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: yucca valley Posts: 239	Re: How many of you have a functioning emergency brake? Yes I have and use mine all the time

09-13-2017, 02:54 PM	#20
el_fantasma Registered User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Redwood City CA Posts: 566	Re: How many of you have a functioning emergency brake? Can't you shear the pin that keeps the transmission in park if you don't or is that folklore? Regardless, mine works and I use it on hills. __________________ 72 White Cheyenne, The Ghost

09-13-2017, 05:09 PM	#21
'70_402 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Pampa, Texas Posts: 1,554	Re: How many of you have a functioning emergency brake? wow... i'm surprised at these responses.. I used one when i had a 5 speed truck for obvious reasons... but I've never ever used on on an automatic vehicle, of course i do live in some of the flattest land in the country. no hills anywhere.. haha. __________________ https://www.ebay.com/itm/295742064443

09-13-2017, 05:09 PM	#22
GRX Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MD Posts: 1,937	Re: How many of you have a functioning emergency brake? I do. Made a point to replace everything pertaining to the e-brakes when redoing the brake system on my '69 long stepper. Stopping is VERY important to me. Especially so after being behind the wheel of a two ton Pontiac with auto tranny when the brakes failed, and e-brake was frozen. Slamming it into park only resulted in snapping sounds. Never again! Worst part about this truck was removing original cable bracket mount pins. Factory saw fit to swedge the pins. Grinding off both ends was not good enough since the part inside the boxed frame was swollen. Ended up drilling them out completely, then using the bolts included in the replacement kit. __________________ 1969 c-10 Step Side Long Bed. I-6 250cid = = 1969 Pontiac GTO hard top. 400, 4-speed.

09-13-2017, 05:14 PM	#23
outfield Registered User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Portland, Or Posts: 387	Re: How many of you have a functioning emergency brake? Hi have a 4 speed truck and use mine all the time. It keeps the truck in the driveway. Attached Images

09-13-2017, 05:18 PM	#24
PaPaStewySnipes Registered User Join Date: May 2017 Location: Columbia, South Carolina Posts: 197	Re: How many of you have a functioning emergency brake? I'm installing mine with the wilwood d154 rear brake kit. Think of it this way, we are always doing work on our trucks. If for some reasons your brakes fail, you a have leak...etc, it will be there to help you stop, if not at the minimum it could save you and your truck. It not called an emergency brake for nothing.

09-13-2017, 05:18 PM	#25
35boulder Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 1,380	Re: How many of you have a functioning emergency brake? Yep, mine works and I use it.

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