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Weird E-Brake

Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2013 9:14
by whobeyou
I know everyone has their own method of parking their car...but I choose to put it in gear and engage the E-Brake. I will go solely E-Brake if I decide to put a remote start on it for obvious reasons.

HOWEVER, when engaging the E-Brake, sometimes I can pull it to about 4-5 "clicks" until it stops. Other times, I can pull it ALL the way up and it still feels like it will keep going (no resistance). It almost feels like there is air in the system, but E-Brakes are usually cable. And if there was air in my braking system I'd feel it in the pedal. The pedal never changes.

My question is this, is the E-Brake on our MS3's hydraulic? If not, what could be causing this inconsistency? I worry about it because I'm wondering if it's even doing anything when I am able to pull it all the way up. Thanks for the help guys.

Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2013 9:14
by Mortose
It is a cable, and the first step would be to tighten it down until it feels tight every time you pull it up to 5 clicks.

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 9:14
by whobeyou
Mortose wrote:It is a cable, and the first step would be to tighten it down until it feels tight every time you pull it up to 5 clicks.


See that's the thing. Half the time it's tight, and half the time it's loose. I wonder if the cable is sagging and catching on something. I'll check it out tonight and let you guys know.

Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 9:14
by whobeyou
So I took my MS3 in about this issue and they said my E-Brake was a little loose and they had tightened it. BUT IT STILL HAPPENS. Exactly the same. No change....

Basically I can never get a consistent pull on my E-Brake. Sometimes it goes ALL the way up (almost hitting the arm rest). Sometimes you can only pull it up 3-4 clicks (barely up at all). I have noticed it depends if my foot is still on the brake from coming to a stop. What could this be???

Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 9:14
by RX-7 Chris
maybe something is loose by the brake handle?

Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 9:14
by Mortose
Now that you say that, it might be because the breaks are engaged, so the cable system can/can't pull as much.

Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 9:14
by erod550
In my cars the travel is usually less if I engage the brakes first and then pull the handle. That's how I tend to use the e-brake.

Posted: Thu May 29, 2014 9:14
by whobeyou
Argh, I'm now convinced it's something else...

I parked it...pulled the e-brake and it started to stop about 3-4 clicks up. Then it "let go" and went to almost the top before stopping. I got out and tried pushing it as hard as I could and it didn't go anywhere. I then preceded to pull the e-brake 6 or 7 more times. One pull would be 3-4 clicks up and stop, then the next would start to stop there, then "let go" again. It would alternate like this surprisingly each time. The whole time my foot was off the brake. I'm going to send it in again for warranty, but I won't be able to for a few weeks. I'm just wondering if it's safe to park out of gear (I put it in gear every time just in case lol)