My 93 RX-7 brake pads are all new and brakes work just fine. But when I park the car and pull on my emergency brake handle, it doesn't hold the car. The guy at the shop said he would have to drop my transmission in order to fix the problem. Is that true? Could there be anouther reason why the emergency brake won't hold the car anymore?

 

when you pull up the handle is it hard at all? if not just pull up the e brake boot from inside, and on the back of the handle ( under the console ) there is a cable with a nut and like a studish thing at the end just tightin it up with a 10 mil wrench until it tightens up.

 

I have NEVER heard of dropping a tranny to fix the e-brake.
I would steer away from any mechanic that suggests that.

I agree w/ Daniel577h. There is an adjustment that can be made at the base of the e-brake.

 

Before adjusting the cable I would try this: Hold down the brake pedal firmly and pull up on the ebrake handle then release it. Do this 10 to 15 times to adjust the park brake. This is the proper way to adjust an integrated parking brake caliper.

If that does not do the trick then I would adjust the cable. Adjusting the cable when you do not need to could lead to brake drag.

 

Likewise, adjusting the E-brake cable too much can lead to brake drag, excessive heat to the rotors and eventual rotor warp. Be careful when adjusting the E-brake cable.

 

He doesn't realize that the cable is also adjustable at the handle end inside the car.

The e-brake cable does have an adjustor under the car in the top of the driveshaft tunnel where the two cables to the calipers attach to the one from the e-brake, but access to it shouldn't be required unless cables are being replaced.

 

I would agree in that you should just tighten the 10mm nut under the boot. My FD rolled into the street once out of my driveway. I then knew it was time to adjust. Turned it a few times and never had any problems since.

 

"Before adjusting the cable I would try this: Hold down the brake pedal firmly and pull up on the ebrake handle then release it. Do this 10 to 15 times to adjust the park brake. This is the proper way to adjust an integrated parking brake caliper"

I dont think the parking brake caliper on the Rx-7 is self adjusting. I had to use the above technique on an old Saab once.

Like everyone else said adjust the nut on the parking brake handle. I forget what the spec is but you should have about 5-7 clicks when you pull on the handle. But you have to remember that even if the cable is properly adjusted, you should still put the transmission in gear and curb your wheels. You should rely soley on the parking brakes when parked on a hill.