I know that sometimes it is a little difficult to hook up the original emergency brake apparatus to a later model rear brake system. Mine is the old lever through the floor and I have misplaced the rod that goes from the lever back to the cross bar that cables back to the drums anyway. Anyway, has anyone ever thought of using a line lock on the rear brakes as an emergency brake? As I understand it all you have to do is break the line between the MC and the rear wheel cylinders and install the valve. If you use an electronic one you ground it to the frame and run the hot back to the activator button that you mount somewhere, probably under the dash near the original E-brake. There is also an indicator light to let you know it is on. When you are ready to apply the brakes you just depress the brake pedal and push the button to set the rear line lock. When you are ready to go you just push to release and you are ready. You could leave the original in place for looks but use the line lock for real. Comments? Gater
Gater, the first thing I thought of was Hurst shifters that used to have a button you pushed that would lock the front brakes. Here's the link to their site. www.hurst-shifters.com/roll-control.asp Please note that in their write-up, they state that it should not be used for the purposes of an e-brake.
Ken, I think that is probably a CYA statement. I can't imagine something robust enough to hold back 500 horsepower would give way while sitting still. But, given that they include the caveat, the insurance company would probably deny payment if it got away and they determined you had used a mechanism that wasn't approved. Thanks for the info. Gater
In alot of states the emergency brakes must be mechanical or seperate from the regular brake system. Big trucks and old chrysler products had the E- brake drum on the back of the trans and there are some where a caliper bolts to the rear end and the rotor is attached to the pinion yoke but they have a separate hydraulic system. Fortunately in states that have inspections (like Texas) the inspectors are not going to make they're job more difficult so as long as you tell them how to set the brake and it holds, they'll pass it.
Brake Locks There's a reason why they tell you not to use it for a parking brake : they bleed off after 30 ~ 40 minutes... We used to use Mico Brake Locks (brand) and they worked very well , were straight mechanical but you didn't leave the truck parked idling for over 20 minutes as it'd roll away after 1/2 hour or so I know of a few bottled water delivery trucks in the hilly section of L.A. that went careening down the hill......
