The aforementioned parking brake thread (Page 2/2)
cartercarbaficionado SEP 10, 11:01 PM

quote
Originally posted by Doggo:


By exposed metal you mean the part that’s clipped up against the wall underneath the wheel well splash shield right? And, perhaps unfortunately, upon receiving my new cables from the fiero store today, I found that they all glide infinitely easier than the ones that were already on the rig. So, I think I should go ahead and just throw the new front one in too, no? Also, I noticed that the new rear cables don’t have the springs at the end, the ones that go inside the caliper spring. Is that normal? Is it just a newer design? I can take pics when I get home from work if need be. It’s also got some rubber bits that the originals don’t have on the cables themselves.


correct. yeah probably just replace them then. I think newer design? not sure. I don't have a bunch or cables to compare with atm.
fieroguru SEP 11, 06:54 AM

quote
Originally posted by Doggo:
But I don't see how that attaches to the frame or whatever the trim is clipped to. Anybody have any advice/experience in taking off this particular trim?





This clip is on the front face of the B-pillar metal and the trim piece needs to be pulled forward towards the front of the car and not sideways into the car.
There normally is also rear window sealant at the edge by the window, so it helps to pull the B-pillar trim towards the inside of the car along the back of the window to help break the sealant bond, then pull the B-pillar trim towards the front of the car.
Mickey_Moose SEP 11, 04:47 PM
Removing trim: you need the remove the "coat hook" and the screw that faces the door (2 screws total). Then it just pulls out.

[This message has been edited by Mickey_Moose (edited 09-11-2024).]

Doggo SEP 15, 07:39 PM
I thought I was done with this thread. I thought we’ll be good and get the new cables installed and everything would just work. I was wrong. Everything is hooked up, new calipers, new brake cables, but for whatever reason, the levers won’t come off the stops. Or at least, not at the same time or nearly enough. I don’t know what gives, no matter how tight or loose the equalizer is, pulling the hand brake (which is super difficult by the way) will either only slightly move the levers, or not move them at all. And they almost never move at the same time and in the same way. All the cables are snag free and move on their own when individually tested.
cartercarbaficionado SEP 16, 06:42 AM

quote
Originally posted by Doggo:

I thought I was done with this thread. I thought we’ll be good and get the new cables installed and everything would just work. I was wrong. Everything is hooked up, new calipers, new brake cables, but for whatever reason, the levers won’t come off the stops. Or at least, not at the same time or nearly enough. I don’t know what gives, no matter how tight or loose the equalizer is, pulling the hand brake (which is super difficult by the way) will either only slightly move the levers, or not move them at all. And they almost never move at the same time and in the same way. All the cables are snag free and move on their own when individually tested.


huh. could you take a few pictures so I can compare it to my gt and my 84 to see what's different?
flexxmi SEP 16, 07:29 AM

quote
Originally posted by Doggo:

I thought I was done with this thread. I thought we’ll be good and get the new cables installed and everything would just work. I was wrong. Everything is hooked up, new calipers, new brake cables, but for whatever reason, the levers won’t come off the stops. Or at least, not at the same time or nearly enough. I don’t know what gives, no matter how tight or loose the equalizer is, pulling the hand brake (which is super difficult by the way) will either only slightly move the levers, or not move them at all. And they almost never move at the same time and in the same way. All the cables are snag free and move on their own when individually tested.



I recall when I first got my Fiero that I engaged the parking brake and could not figure out how to get them to release until somebody pointed out that you have to pull the handle up all the way, then press the button down and hold it as you return the handle to the downward position where it rests in order to disengage the parking brake. Quirky design!

Hope this helps (?)
Doggo SEP 17, 11:21 AM

quote
Originally posted by cartercarbaficionado:

huh. could you take a few pictures so I can compare it to my gt and my 84 to see what's different?



Well, this is quite embarrassing, I must admit. But I’ve never done something like this before so how could I have known I guess. Long story short there was no fluid in the right caliper, causing the lever to function properly in the fluid filled left caliper but not the right one. My plan was to get the parking brake set then bleed the brakes, so I hadn’t pumped the brakes since the new, not stripped left caliper was installed. After about an hour and a half of monkeying around with various torques and tightnesses on the levers and equalizer, my buddy and I realized some fluid in the caliper might help things along lol. Needless to say the left lever now moves back and forth as it should and fully compresses the rotor. NOW, this should be the end of this thread. And, unless something completely insane happens, the end of this job. Then she’ll be ready for a good wash and that photo shoot I’ve been wanting to do for forever! And I can go back to showing all the JDM kids at my college that America made some damn cool cars too. Thank you all again for your continued support through this, it doesn’t go unappreciated
Doggo SEP 17, 11:29 AM

quote
Originally posted by flexxmi:


I recall when I first got my Fiero that I engaged the parking brake and could not figure out how to get them to release until somebody pointed out that you have to pull the handle up all the way, then press the button down and hold it as you return the handle to the downward position where it rests in order to disengage the parking brake. Quirky design!

Hope this helps (?)



That tripped me up too when I first got the car! I pulled the lever and it clicked then fell right back down lol. I thought great, I already broke it. Certainly an interesting design choice but perhaps a necessary one given the position of the lever and how small and low the car is.