So there has been some updates, about halfway down. I'm In the middle of doing a rebuild on the entire rear brake system on a (no rust) 1984, and it has been a terrible time. What originally should of been a 1-2hr job (pads/rotors) has already taken me multiple weeks. Basically it went from a simple job, to then having to rebuild the rear right caliper as it was seized, the line was cut clean through(but was not leaking?), and inboard pad was removed. Now I'm having to rebuild both calipers and replace the entire parking brake system. Why? I've discovered that the last person(s) to work on it had zero clue on how to fix or store the vehicle properly (clips installed backwards, dust boots missing), and the car was stored long term (at least 10 years, possibly 20) with the parking brake engaged. I'm also getting new tires as the ones on it were (Like-New) built in 2010! So everything in the rear is locked up even with the E brake springs removed. My only good thing is that the car wasn't expensive and parts are cheap, though it's already been a depressing adventure. Seeing as I will not want to revisit this any time soon I will be keeping everything properly adjusted and greased! Update: Unfortunately I cannot locate a gasket (that's on more than just Fieros and 6000's, it was on Camaros and Firebirds from 1982-88). That is (on the Fiero) for the parking brake actuator located inside the calipers piston. I discovered the car when purchased was running and driving on only the front brakes. So for the time being I will temporarily bypass the parking brake mechasim so I have all service brakes operating, and I can utilize the car. This will only be until I can find a source for new gaskets or another proper solution. To do this I'm going to be using Pontiac 6000 front brake calipers on the rear as Pontiac originally modified those to use with a parking brake (As that is currently the most cost effective solution than locating the gasket). Fortunately there are no inspections or hills around so this will buy me enough time. In addition I understand fully why there was a recall on the Fiero's brakes. It's because of this modified piston design. The design is basically a piston within a piston and the clearances are way too fine, the relief valve location also adds to this problem by allowing high pressure brake fluid to force it's way out of the system with the debris in tow. Any debris (under half a mm) in the system will eventually cause it to jam! If it's not utlized enough too much debris will collect and render the system kaput! What pontiac should of done is had a one way valve on the internal actuator not on the piston head. This would of allowed fluid forces to be kept internally, and they may of not even really needed this seal. Even if you do utilize the parking brake often the debris that collects will just cause excess wear if the fluid is not flushed often. I'm almost thinking annually/Bi-annually in the rear calipers (if I manage to track down new seals). I am also going to be looking into a non stock option to have a more modern parking brake setup (drum inside rotor) to replace this poor design as it's just designed to keep failing. I've also found that locating tires in the stock size that are not trailer tires is getting difficult so I may eventually try and upgrade to larger wheels TLDR: It's really, really bad....but solutions are being figured out.
My e brake works but I have to fiddle with the handle to get the light to go up but most of the time I have to hold it down to keep the light off or it will stay on the whole time I’m driving it. Please help 😩
I had to bend the switch further down so the parking brake could actually disengage the switch. I don't understand how the switch is supposed to work because the parking brake can't actually reach the switch to break the connection.
Sorry to be negative, but your handbrake shouldn't lift that far if the system is properly adjusted. 3 to 4 clics max. Your caliper pistons may need rebuilding? The adjuster mechanism (inside) is prone to siezing up. Pain in the a** job on a Fiero! Good luck never the less 👍😉
Oh that’s not negative I’ll look into it, the whole premise of the car in my mind is ‘good enough’ others have done super detailed fixed everything that’s not what I want to do here. Yeah more likely then not tho they prob need a rebuild
Yea I'd say it's an "almost" correct design. I think there could be a decent possibility for a fix without changing very much at all. IMHO it would require some minor changes of the rear caliper piston assembly, mainly a new solid cast piston shell (to remove breather valve hole) and then adding a small internal relief hole (with or without a check valve TBD) to the actuator dome (inside the piston). It'd require testing to verify functionality, but that may be a possible fix.
