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CAUTION - WK "E-Brake"/"Handbrake" issue!

6K views 19 replies 11 participants last post by  Marlin 
#1 ·
Hello my friends.

I have been away for a week or so, and whilst I was away, my father borrowed my WK for a few days and took it to the beach.

He is a very careful man, and washed the Jeep thoroughly upon his return.

He left the vehicle where he washed it, and pulled up the E-brake (we call it a handbrake here ;))

I returned on Sunday and went to collect my Jeep, to find that it would NOT move!

I very rarely engage the E-brake, and knew that him having it engaged after washing it thoroughly underneath had caused the issue. It is common for a bit of rust to accumulate on brake linings causing some stickiness when first moving.

However, this was like nothing I'd experienced! I quite literally had to engage Low Range and use half throttle to get it to move. The back wheels were literally dragging on the road, causing massive stress and wind-up in the driveline.

It eventually broke free with rocking it back and forward, but it was very violent, and not at all nice!

The Jeep's driveline survived, but it literally tore the E-Brake linings from the shoes!
Jeep wants $380 for the linings.... I'm not paying that ridiculous amount though, and have sent them to be re-lined by a brake specialist for around $60.

Take heed brothers! :thumbsup:
 
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#4 ·
That is why I use my brake from time to time to make sure that it will work and to prevent something like that from happening. My ZJ did that and I just left it broken. Every few weeks or so I put my car in drive, I put on my handbrake, let go of the gas to make sure that the handbrake is engage then I just take off my handbrake.
 
#5 ·
do you live on a hill or something?
 
#6 ·
im a lazy fawk, so when i get to a long light, ill pull the handbrake, so i dont have to hold on the brake pedal :D and i call it a handbrake too Ben...we arabs like to pull handbrakes randomly while driving (not in a jeep of course LOL)
 
#7 ·
I don't use the handbrake on Auto vehicles unless on a serious hill.

I also don't use it on my WK because to use the handbrake on right hand drive versions you just about need to climb out of the driver's seat to reach it! LOL
 
#10 ·
I use the E-brake any time I park on a hill. Even a small one like my driveway. It keeps stress off the Park pawl in the transmission. The E-brake is there for a reason, use it!
 
#13 ·
Happened to me on my 86 Cherokee and I've heard of two other instances. It's rare but does happen. Why take the chance when all you have to do is pull the handle now and then? It would have saved you the problem you just had also. Hey, don't use it. I really don't care but don't complain when you have a problem like you just had. Enjoy!:)
 
#18 · (Edited)
I read it and I still believe that regular use of the e-brake would eliminate this problem. I doubt short term storage would so totally rust the pads to the drums. Possible I guess under extremely wet conditions but doubtful. I'm thinking your never having used the e-brake has caused corrosion inside the drum and cables which is what caused the problem. Very hard to say without seeing it but less than a week and almost fused to the drum?
I have used my e-brakes on my cars for over 40 years and never had any problems with them. Just my experiences here. I'll use mine you do as you feel is best.
 
#20 ·
No..... lol

We'll agree to disagree ;)

Using it won't change the fact that the linings are so laden with metal that they're magnetic. Note that there was no rust inside the drum, clean surfaces etc. It's a simple matter of the lining sticking to the drum under this particular circumstance.

I'm suprised that anyone who knows me doesn't realise by now that I actually know what I'm talking about! lol
 
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