cbeers

So, I get this big "vibration" on the way to work, cruising at about 70mph. I slow down, limp to work and then I see what happened - I did not release the ebrake the whole way !!!!!
So, what caused the intense vibration? What, if any, damage might be done?

Lame.


Thanks in advance,

Chris

DGaunt

What kind/vintage of car, chris?

cbeers

Sorry, it's a 1987 Carrera. Solid, daily driver.

UPDATE: I just couldn't stand it any longer, so I snuck out of the office and went for a drive to see if there was still the heavy vibration. Took it up to 90 a few times over about 20 minutes (car was still warm from the drive in) and no vibration. So, I think it's OK ????????
Still probably going to inspect the e-brake assembly over the weekend.

Any thoughts on what would have caused the vibration??

Thanks in advance,

-Chris

88911coupe

I suspect the hub/rotor was REALLY hot and possibly slightly distorted which may have caused the vibration. It appears that cooling off may have solved the problem but I'd get new emergency brake pads soon since yours are probably "toast", so to speak.

cbeers

OK. Good idea, thanks for the input.


Happy driving!


Chris

wwest

E-brakes are not designed for "travel", so they "chitter", loosely fitted, in the holders if the wheel rotates fast enough. Effect is as if the rear brakes are going on and off rapidly.

DGaunt

A new form of ABS then.....

Dave Thomas

You're probably going to need new rear e-brake shoes AND rear rotors. You should have the e-brake drums inspected because they are very likely to be cracked. The emergency brake system is separate from the rear disc brakes. The e-brake uses shoes inside a drum which is integral with the rear disc. With that much abuse the e-brake could have generated enough heat to damage the disc brake caliper seals so you might want to have that checked too. It sounds like you dodged a bullet there if the brakes now feel normal. But I can almost guarantee you that the drums will be cracked and the shoes will be shot.