CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Disc brake conversion parking brakes

Interesting. My experience with cables is they stretch, but it would be simpler and really how often do we use the e brake on an automatic. Hydraulic is immensely stronger and it would be small system, unlike the rear brakes for example....what to do what to do
 
Yes cables stretch, but slowly and not much, which is part of why there is an adjustment. With mechanical, you can usually see if there is a problem developing, if you look and test. Just my .02
 
Every truck I've had,has SEIZED E-brake cables,from lack of use--no one hardly ever applies the E-brake if they have an automatic,they just put it in park and figure "good enough"..
Just about every vehicle I've had needed new E-brake cables or at least them sprayed down with penetrating oil to free them up ,in order to pass inspection..(and the inspection is about the only time I ever use the E-brake too!)..but it's nice to have a working one,if your regular brakes decide to fail..
 
I think a pinion mounted disc is better,then if you happen to lose the driveshaft,you'll still have an E-brake..
I'm not sure if a pinion brake would pass here for an E-brake..

Here,line locks aren't considered "legal" for on road use as an E-brake,as they can fail if a line pops or the master cylinder develops an issue,also they will not hold pressure for all that long,they bleed down eventually and will let the vehicle roll..
So I've thought the same thing about dropping a drive shaft so a pinion would be better. Problem being mounting as a lot of dig housings don't have a bolt on pinion cover to mount to.
 
So this talk of having to get into the existing hydro system rouses a thought for me.

What if the system was stand alone hydro like a utv or atv with a line lock like @Foch mentioned only with the difference being it stand alone?

OR this: a hybrid cable to stand alone hydro brake mounted remote to the pinion or output on the tcase.

Last night doing the disc conversion on my K30 I had a couple thoughts of a 8" drum brake setup either cable or remote hydro setup inside the huge hat of the rotor being used:thinking: There's plenty of room in there
 
Here an E-brake is supposed to be "mechanical" and separate from the hydraulic system,in order to pass inspection..other states may not be so fussy..maybe a separate hydraulic system for the e-brake only would be acceptable,I'm not sure just what the laws state..
 
as far as i recall in new york from my inspector days its seperate from the main system . i dont recall if it specificly had to be mechanical .
 
"I think a pinion mounted disc is better,then if you happen to lose the driveshaft,you'll still have an E-brake..
I'm not sure if a pinion brake would pass here for an E-brake..'

Agreed. Mounted on the back of the transfer case, up and protected, would lock the whole drive train if in four wheel drive to my way of thinking. We don't vehicle inspections here. How do they ebrakes in 4 wheel disc applications? But I think the system on rear drums is a POS. Too problematic, high maintenance. Well that describes drum brakes in general IMHO
 
drive line at trans / tcase or pinion has been done for YEARS on stuff including lots of med duty vehicles .

its the fact it HAS to be separate from the main brake pedal use to make it legal .
 
"I think a pinion mounted disc is better,then if you happen to lose the driveshaft,you'll still have an E-brake..
I'm not sure if a pinion brake would pass here for an E-brake..'

Agreed. Mounted on the back of the transfer case, up and protected, would lock the whole drive train if in four wheel drive to my way of thinking. We don't vehicle inspections here. How do they ebrakes in 4 wheel disc applications? But I think the system on rear drums is a POS. Too problematic, high maintenance. Well that describes drum brakes in general IMHO

For all of those suggesting pinion mounted ebrakes, if you don't have a 9 inch or 14 bolt (full floater) how do you intend to mount it to the housing?

Late model factory 4 wheel disc set ups use a small drum brake ebrake inside the hat part of the rotor.
 
For all of those suggesting pinion mounted ebrakes, if you don't have a 9 inch or 14 bolt (full floater) how do you intend to mount it to the housing?

Late model factory 4 wheel disc set ups use a small drum brake ebrake inside the hat part of the rotor.

Short of a Rockwell style axle I don't see how you could use a pinion brake on a 4x4. I smash the hell out of everything around the pinion as it is. A pinion brake would be gone in the first half mile of trail. I guess if you don't wheel too bad of terrain you could get away with it. Just something to think about.
 
Short of a Rockwell style axle I don't see how you could use a pinion brake on a 4x4. I smash the hell out of everything around the pinion as it is. A pinion brake would be gone in the first half mile of trail. I guess if you don't wheel too bad of terrain you could get away with it. Just something to think about.
this exact fact is why if its a driveline brake then 98% of the time its up on the trans or t-case up in the frame .

as said tho if its a street queen then who would care .
 
I wonder how hard it would be to fit a drum parking brake setup off a medium duty truck to the rear of a t-case and use all of it's cables and lever? Might be kinda large.
 
NP200's had them as well as TH400's from motorhomes and such. I'm sure you could adapt but it would force a swap to flanges instead of yokes like the disc kits.
 
Easiest/best solution is still probably either caddy calipers or the Cut Bros adapters to run newer 14 bolt rotors with backing plates and internal drum in hat park brakes.
 
Easiest way ?..swap in a late model rear axle that already has discs and a factory E-brake..(though I agree the tiny drum in the rotor type suck to repair and may not be effective as hoped)..

I have seen transmission mounted E-brakes on many P-30 step vans and motor homes,also some Ford Super Duty trucks,but none on a 4x4 that I know of factory,aftermarkets are available though..
 
Top Bottom