My emergency brake hates me...

sketch66 · 09/16/2008, 01:53 PM

So about 2 months ago I changed my pads and rotors all the way around (minus the e-brake pads which seemed to be in decent condition). Now if I apply the emergency brake, take it off and start driving, my car will start to vibrate horribly once I hit highway speeds. It starts out with only vibrating slightly and it builds up over the next minute or two to the point that I have to pull over. If I stop the car completely and then start moving again, the vibration is gone. If I only slow down to a near stop (5 mph or so) and speed up, the vibration remains.

I have tried adjusting the e-brake by dialing it in properly (tighten until you can't turn the wheel and then out 5 notches according to FSM and comments on the site) as well as adjusting the handle using the screw under the center console.

Can anyone think of how to fix this? It's really annoying and I pretty much just never use the e-brake because it's a pain to deal with the vibrating afterwards.

quicksilver01 · 09/16/2008, 05:43 PM

does it only vibrate after you use the e brake or all the time. And did it ever do it before this at all? Dit you have your tires or wheels swapped out in the near past?

tracer bullet · 09/16/2008, 10:14 PM

Your process for adjusting it sounds fine, but it sounds like something isn't releasing afterwards for some reason.

I believe you, but am struggling to think of how the parking brake would cause a vibration. Unelss something is just stuck / still engaged.

808drifter · 09/17/2008, 01:15 PM

I just think one of your wheels isn't tightened all the way (loose wheel) or a wheel is off balance.

quick92rs · 09/17/2008, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 808drifter

I just think one of your wheels isn't tightened all the way (loose wheel) or a wheel is off balance.

If that was the case it wouldn't stop after he comes to a complete stop. I think it probably has to do with something on the rear brakes being loose. When you're moving at speed it's stuck and then breaks loose but keeps rubbing. When you come to a complete stop, it falls into place and quits. Check your rear brakes for something that has abnormal wear on it.

808drifter · 09/17/2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quick92rs

If that was the case it wouldn't stop after he comes to a complete stop.

Could you please explain how an off balance or loosely tightened wheel vibrates while not moving?

quick92rs · 09/17/2008, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sketch66

If I stop the car completely and then start moving again, the vibration is gone. If I only slow down to a near stop (5 mph or so) and speed up, the vibration remains.

He said if he stops and starts again it quits

quicksilver01 · 09/18/2008, 12:05 AM

If he swapped the tires in the near past maybe just maybe the tire place could have gotten some water in the tire somehow and the tire sealed with the water inside. Very unlikely but its a possibility. This has happened to me before and I thought it was my e break but in fact it was water inside my tire. Still to this day I dont know how it got in but it did.

sketch66 · 09/18/2008, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quicksilver01

does it only vibrate after you use the e brake or all the time. And did it ever do it before this at all? Dit you have your tires or wheels swapped out in the near past?

Tires/Wheels have not been swapped out and it didn't do this before swapping out the pads/rotors

Quote:

Originally Posted by 808drifter

I just think one of your wheels isn't tightened all the way (loose wheel) or a wheel is off balance.

Nope, double and triple checked it. Plus I've taken the wheel off and put it back on many times trying to adjust the brake.

Quote:

Originally Posted by quicksilver01

If he swapped the tires in the near past maybe just maybe the tire place could have gotten some water in the tire somehow and the tire sealed with the water inside. Very unlikely but its a possibility. This has happened to me before and I thought it was my e break but in fact it was water inside my tire. Still to this day I dont know how it got in but it did.

Tires weren't swapped and when I took the wheel off I didn't notice any swishing of water in the wheel. Plus I don't know why that would cause vibrations/shaking only after the brake is enagaged (and then released) and then go away after coming to a complete stop.

I'm at a complete loss with this one. I think the next step is taking the rear rotors off completely and checking the e-brake internals

quick92rs · 09/18/2008, 01:47 PM

that's what i would do.

tracer bullet · 09/18/2008, 10:29 PM

Me too. Sounds like something is sticking in there, maybe expanding out but not retracting properly.

quicksilver01 · 09/18/2008, 11:08 PM

Yes! Thats a definate on the to do list on this one. Hope all goes well for you man.

09/16/2008, 01:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
sketch66 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maine Vehicle: 03 Eclipse GT Posts: 219	My emergency brake hates me... So about 2 months ago I changed my pads and rotors all the way around (minus the e-brake pads which seemed to be in decent condition). Now if I apply the emergency brake, take it off and start driving, my car will start to vibrate horribly once I hit highway speeds. It starts out with only vibrating slightly and it builds up over the next minute or two to the point that I have to pull over. If I stop the car completely and then start moving again, the vibration is gone. If I only slow down to a near stop (5 mph or so) and speed up, the vibration remains. I have tried adjusting the e-brake by dialing it in properly (tighten until you can't turn the wheel and then out 5 notches according to FSM and comments on the site) as well as adjusting the handle using the screw under the center console. Can anyone think of how to fix this? It's really annoying and I pretty much just never use the e-brake because it's a pain to deal with the vibrating afterwards.

09/16/2008, 05:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
quicksilver01 damitsumasta Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Espanola, NM Vehicle: 2001 Eclipse GT-T67 Posts: 378	does it only vibrate after you use the e brake or all the time. And did it ever do it before this at all? Dit you have your tires or wheels swapped out in the near past? __________________ PRE-RACING.COM

09/17/2008, 01:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
808drifter Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Wahiawa, HI Vehicle: Eclipse RS Posts: 286	I just think one of your wheels isn't tightened all the way (loose wheel) or a wheel is off balance. __________________ http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a67...ter/FWDSig.jpg

09/18/2008, 12:05 AM	#8 (permalink)
quicksilver01 damitsumasta Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Espanola, NM Vehicle: 2001 Eclipse GT-T67 Posts: 378	If he swapped the tires in the near past maybe just maybe the tire place could have gotten some water in the tire somehow and the tire sealed with the water inside. Very unlikely but its a possibility. This has happened to me before and I thought it was my e break but in fact it was water inside my tire. Still to this day I dont know how it got in but it did. __________________ PRE-RACING.COM

09/18/2008, 11:08 PM	#12 (permalink)
quicksilver01 damitsumasta Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Espanola, NM Vehicle: 2001 Eclipse GT-T67 Posts: 378	Yes! Thats a definate on the to do list on this one. Hope all goes well for you man. __________________ PRE-RACING.COM

09/16/2008, 10:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
tracer bullet Spring King Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: St. Paul, MN Vehicle: 01 GT PP Posts: 2,964	Your process for adjusting it sounds fine, but it sounds like something isn't releasing afterwards for some reason. I believe you, but am struggling to think of how the parking brake would cause a vibration. Unelss something is just stuck / still engaged.

09/18/2008, 01:47 PM	#10 (permalink)
quick92rs 2 steps closer to FI Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Akron, OH Vehicle: 2000 Eclipse RS Posts: 896	that's what i would do.

09/18/2008, 10:29 PM	#11 (permalink)
tracer bullet Spring King Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: St. Paul, MN Vehicle: 01 GT PP Posts: 2,964	Me too. Sounds like something is sticking in there, maybe expanding out but not retracting properly.