I've posted this in the 3rd gen section but thought I might put it here too. It seems to be a common issue.

I'm having some trouble getting my handbrake/emergency brake tightened. It will hold at the moment but it doesn't lock the wheels if you're moving. The nut at the lever is fully tightened and I've searched already. Can any body shed some light on this?

 

Mine locks well, but I'm not running stock rear brakes. I use the Racing Brake 1 piece rear rotors and ET800 brake pads. This is a thicker rotor, which I'm sure helps a lot and the pads are meant for track use, so they are very grippy. I have heard that upgrading the rear brakes like this is a good solution (even though thats not why I did it)

With the cable nut by the e-brake handle all the way tightened do you experience any brake rubbing when not pulling it? I ask because If I tightened my nut all the way I think the rear brakes would be engaged all the time.

 

Change your rear brake pads to something with a little better initial bite. Also try going faster when you pull the brake. I had to be going about 30-40mph for mine to lock up and work well.

 

You can modify the lever behind the caliper ... If you make it a bit longer, it will require more travel but will be more efficient .... A very well know issue / solution from the S14 drifters

 

Thanks heaps for the responses guys, much appreciated. And Bruce, I can't get enough of your car man. Nice work.

-Karl.

 

PLUS weight transfer is your friend. i've driven an FD with non sequential setup and power FC on coils before, and that ebrake issues does suck.... but after awhile the more i'd "throw" the car in as i pulled the ebrake it would actually work.

but yes he's correct. do the easy **** first (even though brake pads are easy)
my FC had that issue also (screw/adjuster all the way tight) and i swapped to some weird axxis off brand semi metallic rear pads, and after they broke in my car was rad.
post some sweet *** pictars cause we need more FD tire smoke action!

 

i ordered PMU D1 pads for my car........ they are amazing

 

I always wondered about PMU stuff. It always looked good and was certainly expensive, but I never could tell if it was worth the price.

 

i had them on my s13. worth the price! my ebrake did not work right until i installed these pads