In working on my 85 300D rear brakes, I found the lining of the top parking brake show had come off. So what to do now. I didn't really need an extra job!

One option is to buy a new set of shoes. None available locally. Even from NAPA, 10 days.

Could I glue and/or rivet the lining back on? I recall doing that in my youth with drum brakes. But these are quite thin. Maybe there is space age glue that would work?

Just leave the lining off? What happens then if the parking brake is then applied? Does the brake mechanism stay together? Do the other pads make contact?

Does your parking brake work?

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

Glue or rivet...no since the other shoe failures are soon to occur. IMO order new shoes and install. Using shoes without lining MIGHT hold the car in position but not stop it well and it will tear up the small drum inside the rotor.

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"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer

Only the one liner would be missing. I can't recall actually ever using the parking brake. But I may have, for some reason.

Interested to hear how many here actually have working parking brakes

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

I had a similar thing happen to my 85. But in 2018 Pelican stocked the shoes and I just got them and installed them.

Mine were good on the passenger side but completely dead on the driver side. I still haven’t figured out how that happened but perhaps some po overadjusted one side.

I just replaced everything. I figure it’s good for a long time.

It’s so much fiddly work getting those things in and out of the drum that I’d be inclined to fix it properly.

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79 300TD “Old Smokey” AKA “The Mistake” (SOLD)
82 240D stick shift 335k miles (SOLD)
82 300SD 300k miles
85 300D Turbodiesel 170k miles
97 C280 147k miles

Why not just let it be for now and then replace when the replacements come in 10 days?

Since the shoes won’t really be used hot, I’d just get some epoxy, scuff the mating surfaces, and put them together for now…

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (116k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (267k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K), 1985 300D (233K), 1993 300D 2.5T (338k), 1993 300SD (291k)

If I could just pick them up, I would do them while replacing the rotors and pads (In progress now).

Because I can't get the parts right away, I am inclined to abandon the existing in place. Maybe keep that as a fiddly job for another time.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

I already have the brakes apart for rotor/pad replacement and to check the calipers. Hoping to get back on road by Tuesday. I wouldn't want to tear everything apart again in 10 days to replace the shoes.

So as mentioned above, thinking that abandoning in place my be an interim solution

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

All my vehicles have fully functioning emergency brakes. I would not accept anything less.

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When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.

I ordered the shoes from NAPA Canada. They are from Altrom and cost was only $15.46 (US$11.13) for the set. They will almost never get used, but at least fill up the space Interested to see what they look like. Seem very low cost.

Delivery is 7-10 days, so I may just drive another car until I get the whole rear brake job done. Gives me time to remove calipers to clean and check.

ADDED: I came across an old post of mine: In that, I said I had found a kit in Canada that included the hardware for $25. Wish I had found it this time. Febi has a kit like that (at efseepee euro) $25 + 60$ shipping! Hope my existing springs work. Otherwise have to get new set from Rck.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

As it turned out, NAPA called yesterday to say they had my shoes! Nothing special but they look fine. (Altrom Ultra 8 brand)

Today was another crappy day, but I decided to at least start. I have the new shoes almost done on one side. But I gave up at dinner time. I was having trouble getting that last hook on at the bottom. Not having good lighting with garage door closed didn't help. I can pull the hook to the slot, but not push it in I am sure I will get it done in morning. May make a better tool.

Next decision will be whether or not to change the other side which still seems OK. Will inspect more closely and if OK, leave for another time. (if it ain't broke....)

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

Having a lot of trouble getting that last hook on. This the bottom one with the two spring sections. I have a hook that I can reach and pull the spring hook down with. It takes a lot of strength (that I don't have that much of these days). When I get it close, it is hard to then get it to go into the slot. Tried needle nose pliers and vice grips, but no luck with those.

Anyone suggest a better way?



(Meanwhile, have laundry drier apart - thermal fuse blew, so need to get that done first ) Done - Had to take drier almost completely apart to access the fuse

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

I finally got that bottom hook in. Hard to explain how. I tried all kinds of ways and tools. Not sure, but I think I tilted the shoe off to one side, then when I got the hook in approx correct spot with hook (or maybe levering with long screwdriver? - I forget) , pulled the shoe back . Took a number of tries, but last time it just clicked in!

Not going to do the other side. It looks fine and I have had enough! Not a fun job!

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

Your info has Ontario, Canada. Do they have autozones in Canada?

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

No. Only one that is common to USA is NAPA (that I know of). Maybe Carquest is in USA too? But I use them, Napa and some other local chains. Sometimes order from RCK or FCP but their freight costs seem to have jumped!

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

I realize you're not wanting to do yet more work but this isn't only a park brake, it's also a very good emergency brake .

I'd not be here typing if not for the good condition and properly adjusted park brake in my 240D ~ I'da flown off the side of the mountain when the service brakes failed .

This could happen to you on the open highway as well .

It's not a huge thing to remove the old stiff park brake cables, if you're lazy just coil them in a pan of fresh antifreeze and pull the center back and forth until it slides freely .

Myself I'd clean and re grease them using short fiber grease, maybe even synthetic grease so it'd be a one and done deal .

I understand you're in snow country and so are concerned about setting the park brake then discovering it froze ON over night, why I mention cleaning and lubricating the cables properly .

BTW : the park brake's star typ adjusters need cleaning then greasing with long fiber EP grease, I use Lithium white grease (LUBRIPLATE # 107 Etc.) .

It gets *very* cold in Germany, they don't allow frozen brake cables, not even on old VW's .

BE SAFE PLEASE .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better