Pontiac tempest 1968 Service Manual page 180

S T A N D A R D BRAKES 5-15
5
0
Install brake drums. Adjust front wheel bear­
ings (as described in Section 3, SUSPENSION).
6. Bleed all brake lines as described under
BLEEDING BRAKES in this section,
7, Adjust and test brakes as previously described
in this section,
PARKING BRAKE
The rear brake assemblies serve a dual purpose
in that they are utilized both as a hydraulically op­
erated brake and a mechanically operated parking
brake. In view of this dual purpose, the hydraulic
brake must be properly adjusted as a base for park­
ing brake adjustment.
NOTE: Automatic brake adjusters normally keep
the parking brake adjusted correctly. However,
there may be a condition where the parking brake
system will require additional adjustment even
though the service brakes are perfectly satisfac­
tory*
INSPECTION, CLEANING AND LUBRICATION
If complete release of the parking brake pedal is
not obtained unless the pedal is forcibly returned to
its released position, or if the application effort is
high, check parking brake pedal assembly for free
operation. If operation is sticky or a bind is expe­
rienced, correct as follows:
1. Clean and lubricate cables (within conduits) and
cable contact areas with lithium soap grease or
equivalent.
2. Inspect brake pedal assembly for straightness
and alignment.
3. Clean and lubricate parking brake pedal assem­
bly with chassis grease.
4. Check routing of cables for kinks, binds and
broken strands.
ADJUSTMENT
CA UTION: It is very important that parking brake
cables are not adjusted too tightly causing brake
drag. With automatic brake adjusters, a tight cable
causes brake drag and also positions the second­
ary brake shoe, hence the adjuster lever, so that it
continues to adjust to compensate for wear caused
by the drag. The result is a cycle of wear and ad­
justment that can wear out linings very rapidly.
1. Jack up both rear wheels.
2. Push parking brake pedal five to seven notches
from fully released position (Pontiac and Tempest).
Two notches on Firebird models.
3. Loosen the equalizer rear lock nut. Adjust the
forward nut until a light to moderate drag is felt
when rear wheels are rotated.
4. Tighten lock nut.
5. Fully release parking brake and rotate rear
wheels; no drag should be present.
PARKING BRAKE PEDAL REMOVAL
NOTE: Remove positive cable from battery to
eliminate the possibility of creating short circuits
under dash.
1. Place parking brake pedal in released position.
2. Remove equalizer check nut and separate cable
stud from equalizer.
3. Remove two attaching nuts from mounting studs
located in engine compartment.
4. Remove front cable ball end from pedal swivel.
5. Remove pedal to dash brace attaching screw.
6. Remove brake pedal switch wire.
7. Remove pedal assembly by lowering rear
slightly to avoid scratching dash, and pulling it out
of the firewall.
BRAKE PEDAL INSTALLATION
1. Place pedal in position with the two mounting
studs protruding through the holes provided in the
firewall.
2. Position front cable ball end into pedal swivel.
3. Install and tighten pedal to dash brace attaching
screw.
4. Install parking brake switch wire.
5. Install and tighten two attaching nuts on mount­
ing studs located in engine compartment.
6. Place equalizer in position on center cable and
insert front cable stud through equalizer and secure
with check nut.
7. Adjust parking brake as outlined under Parking
Brake Adjustment.
8. Connect positive battery cable.
FRONT CABLE REMOVAL
NOTE: Remove positive cable from battery to
eliminate the possibility of creating short circuits
under dash.