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View Full Version : Parking brake and bird bombs



MangoSpeedG
03-15-2003, 05:48 AM
I got a little freaked out today. When I got home and I set my brake up, I sat in my car to let it run and cool down (no timer yet). Next thing I know, my msp starts rolling down my driveway. I thought I had my brake up far enough because but it pulled up two clicks more and it made sure it wouldn't roll.

Has this happened to anybody? There were times before when I heard the car creak but I thought nothing of it. Looks like i'll be going to my dealer to get it checked out.

And...

Walked out to my msp ealrier in the day time and found that a bird left me a present. Cleaned it off but it left a spot that can be seen at an angle and wouldn't come off. Any suggestions?

charles
03-15-2003, 09:31 AM
Well, maybe if the brakes were really hot, the discs cooled and shrunk... pulling away from the pads. Hey I don't know! Just an idea ;) (Usually if your brakes are that hot the pads will actually stick and you can't get the parking brake off. lol)

You ought to just leave it up all the way, remember as it starts to gain downhill force, the car will overcome the parking break ----> zoom zoom you go.

Grimace
03-15-2003, 09:37 AM
All parking brakes relax after a few minutes of initial application, as the cables "take a set", and brake bits cool down. Its normal and ok, shouldn't need a visit to the dealer.
Always pull it up the entire way, and as an extra precaution, if your driveway is really steep, leave it in gear.

MangoSpeedG
03-15-2003, 12:06 PM
cool. Thanks guys!

and what about the bird crap? it's a clear and kinda crusty-ish but I just can't get it off! I tried scratching it a lil, warm water, washing... but nothing. Damn that bird!

Limited Edition
03-15-2003, 12:09 PM
MangoSpeedG.
use a bit of pre cleaner on that area...
they give it a good polish and wax...that should do the job.
after a good wash in that area of course!
No bird Poo can impact 'that' hard and you can't get off completey.

murdock_
03-15-2003, 12:26 PM
as matter of fact, the same thing happened to me, i was letting my car cool down idling on a hill in my driveway, i heard a knocking sound from the back right of my car.. i was freaking out then i figured it had to be the pb.. so i cranked it alittle harder and the noise stopped..

Limited Edition
03-15-2003, 01:54 PM
Just pull the handbrake fully then you shouldn't have a problem. Of all the times, i used the HB, all you need to do is apply it fully, then you shouldn't have a problem. I've tried only pulling it half way, and it doesn't seem to be strong enough on a hilly driveway. becareful guys! You don't want to find your car rolling downa steep driveway into your garage or concrete wall! That's not a pretty sight.

Vicocola
03-16-2003, 08:07 AM
speaking of rolling downhill... had that too... and my wheel wasnt turned coz was about to leave soon... it started to roll like 5 min after i left the car... lucky i was around to unlock the car quickly, hop in and pull it up... if u pull your handbrake all the way up... it gets loose after a while, so does it make the handbrake weaker? or should be the same as before?

sierra248
12-21-2007, 10:02 PM
Done it, pull harder. learned the hard way, plus this parking brake is so easy to adjust that you might as well give her a good yank, see that square plastic piece by the cup holders in center console(Front), right in front of center armrest, pop that out, underneath is a nut, tighten it down to tighten the parking brake. I park in a garage an on a very flat surface so i dont pull like chuck Norris but I pull a few clicks. The reason allot of us are prob worried is we like our nice unwarped rotors and locking that hot pad in same space can cause some heat problems, but as long as you weren't on a track, it shouldn't cause any issues to really give her a yank, especially on any type of hill, oh and keep your foot on the clutch and brakes till you set your parking brake, no sense in letting the weight of your car weigh on First gear, let the weight weigh on the Parking brake, much cheaper to replace rear brakes then a worn first gear. Just my thoughts behind all of this.
Tom

SeR_Cyclops
12-21-2007, 10:38 PM
wow talk about bumping dead thread

sierra248
12-21-2007, 11:44 PM
wow, didn't even notice how old it was. Don't even know why i read it. LOL