Parking brake release lever popped off

[OldBeetles]

Hi all, I tried searching for this but to no avail.

So, I had someone drive my '60 and when they parked, they pulled up a little too hard on the parking brake lever which caused the release rod/button to pop out. I did some research and understand the way the hook on the metal rod is supposed to hook onto the pivoting lever, but could not for the life of me get it to "grab"

I was trying to do this while everything is still connected, by lifting the lever up high enough to free the pivoting lever that holds the parking brake in place, and on the other end holds the release rod.

Can this be done while everything is still connected? Is there a trick to it?

[Cusser]

This happened to my 1970, and I got it re-engaged, but this was over 4 decades ago and I cannot remember, but there was a trick to it. It's still OK to this day.

Wait for someone else to reply, don't panic. And you should adjust your rear brakes too so the lever doesn't raise too high.
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[OldBeetles]

[wagen19]

[zerotofifty]

It is a trick to re-assemble. I recall I had to remove the lever to do it.

The cause is often that the cables are too slack, which allows the handle to be pulled up past the end of the ratchet teeth, then the little arm that engages the teeth flops out of place and she falls apart.

Once you get her back together you should tighten the cables to reduce the excess slack in them. I kind of recall, but memory is bad that when adjusted correct, it might be about four clicks of the ratchet is all you can get. I bet your handle came up pretty high to fully engage the emergency brake before this happened, a clear sign that the cables were too loose.

The cables can loosen as the shoes in the drum wear, and this is fixed by adjustments at the star wheel in the drum. when this is out of wack, your foot pedal for the brakes will have excessive travel

If the brake shoes are adjusted fine, then the cables can be adjusted at the emergency brake lever

So BEFORE adjusting cables at the lever, make sure the shoe gap is adjusted FIRST, then take up any additional excess slack at the emergency brake lever. adjust so you get around four*** clicks max, then you handle will no longer be able to go too far up, and come apart.


*** See factory manual for actual number of allowable clicks, it might be four.
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[runamoc]

remove the brake cables, taking one loose is all that's needed, and swing them out of the way. Lift the arm up as much as you can, take your little finger or 'tool' and flip the 'catch thing' up as you press on the button to get the non geared side of the catch back into the hook of the push button rod. While pressing the button lower the lever all the way back down. Re-connect brake cables. Adjust them so the lever doesn't come up so high as to have this happen again.
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[OldBeetles]

Thanks for the tips! I am going to make another attempt at this.

I don't think it needs adjustment though, because it holds firmly after 3 or 4 clicks. The guy who drove it really pulled hard on it, is all I can figure.

[KTPhil]

My rule of thumb was slight brake drag at 2 clicks, firm hold at 4 clicks, superhuman pull to get 5 or more.

Any looser than this, I adjust the brake stars, then recheck the cable adjustment (including balancing the two on early models without the equalizing bar).

Another tip is to avoid cutting your buttcheek on the cable ends, which get buggered and sharp after a few adjustments: rubber brake bleeder caps over the cable ends, before you pull the boot back over them.
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- '71 Squareback

[gt1953]

Mine did that and looked at an exploded view for reassembly...a lil tricky but not difficult. Easy to do with a seat out.
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[scrivyscriv]

[quote="gt1953"...a lil tricky but not difficult. Easy to do with a seat out.[/quote]
I second this! Either seat can come out for it
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