parking brake upgrade (56K, maybe)

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[3100MPFI]

Since I am doing all of this work to my gold car, I want to put in the newer rear brakes, so that means updating the parking brake as well.  I finally got around to installing the 1996 parking brake pedal into my 1988 Cutlass Supreme.

It is ALMOST a direct fit.

This is a BACKSIDE comparison of the 2 parking brakes.  The older one is on the top.  I had to get the newer one to mount in the older position.


After bending the newer brackets, I used the side adapter for the 1988 Cutlass Supreme to be sure the spacing was correct.


This is the new hardware.  The small bolt was the original 1988 parking brake UPPER bolt, and the long bolt is the replacment one.  It has the same thread so it will screw right into the stock bolt hole.  The big NUT is a spare rear strut mounting nut, and I am using it as a SPACER so it will all line up better.


After bending the brakets closer together, it makes it so that it is kinda offset.  To compensate for this, I used a BIG NUT that holds on the rear struts (a spare one).  It was the perfect size for everything to line up properly.  With the nut in between the parking brake, and the body, and the top tightened all the way down, it was a PERFECT fit.


The top brace is close enough to the body that all I will need to do is drill and tap a hole (or use a nut on the other side of the bolt) and the parking brake will be FULLY mounted.  Now I just need to get new cables, and update the rest of the cars braking system.  Also, once I tighten that top bolt, it will line the parking brake up PERFECTLY.


Here it is mounted.  It only LOOKS crooked, but once the top bolt is in, it will be straight.

[GPRacer]

nice, i always hated the double pump in the '92

[3100MPFI]

In my area, if the parking brake does not work, they WILL fail the inspection.  That is the FIRST thing that they check.  Since I am doing the rear brake upgrade (and I MIGHT add ABS, while I am back there.....  At least PREWIRE it), I figure it had all better hook up right.  

I think that I can just buy the front parking brake cable, and reuse the rear ones on the Grand Prix.  The front one is rusted pretty bad from water getting in the car and rusting it.

Because of the OBD2 conversion, my 1988 will end up being prewired for ABS, so I might go ahead and add everything so that all I have to do is put in the ABS pump, and plug it all in.  Not sure if I want to do that, but the option is there if I ever decide too.

[crazy k]

Good info!!!!  I read about doing this, but have not seen anyone try it!   I need to do this myself, I have extra pedals somewhere............

[3100MPFI]

Almost everyone I have talked too about it has said it can't be done.

To be 100% honest, in order to PROPERLY do it, you need to pull the entire dash out (I P CARRIER).  That way you can do the top bolt hole.  It has to be drilled out.  You could probably leave it undone, but I think it really needs to be done.

I don't know if it will effect the dash mounting yet.  Does not look like it will, but until I get the dash in, there is no way to know.  And I will not be installing the dash until I can get me a 1994 Cutlass Supreme dash harness.

[GPRacer]

haha, well in houston you don't pass if you don't have mufflers and everything such as that. That's what good buddies are for  

[3100MPFI]

I need a couple of "GOOD BUDDIES".  <wink, wink

Not in my area.  Almost every mechanic here hates me.  Whenever they try some overpriced BS, I put them in their place.

Meaning, I have to be absotivly 100% certain that my cars are 100%

[GPRacer]

haha, yea. Well if you ever feel like having a little bit of a trip once a year for that inspection...ya got my number!

[3100MPFI]

Only bad thing, is no matter where I do the inspection, because of my COUNTY, I have to have EMISSIONS testing.  Forturnantly, I have some "naughty" pictures of one of the local mechaics.  I told him if he does not want his WIFE to see them, then he had better at least treat me FAIR when I go to him for inspection.

I love being a sadistic bastard sometimes.

[Jay]

I take mine to a shop that 2 hot fat blondes own...Only people i let touch my car.  

[LownSlow]

sweet.  i got a newer style parking brake in my car, but i only have 2 mounting points and it doesnt like to hold a lot of times.  the equalizer is adjusted correctly and i have ALL new cables.  guess i'm going to have to get the other mounting point hooked up      
i did it differently than you did. i had the same problem w/ my old parking brake...wtf?   (i did do the 94/95+ rear brake upgrade, too)

http://gmwbody.com/viewtopic.php?t=833

[3100MPFI]

I didn't have any problems with my old parking brake.  It worked just fine.  I know how to fix them when they start messing up.  

I just did the swap so that I can have a parking brake after I do the rear brake conversion.

[crazy k]

actually... the new brakes with the old style foot pedal work ok.   Chris white93z34 did this in his Z.

[3100MPFI]

uh.....

not for me.

I have a 1988 Cutlass Supreme.  

1988 is different from all the others.  My brake cables are different thoughout the entire car.  Not only is the main cable different, but so is the rear cables.

[crazy k]

wait..  chris put in 94+ cables and rear calipers... and used only the front cable piece (which is the same) and 93- foot pedal.