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Topic: 85 T-Bird Parking Brake Vacuum Question (Read 1050 times) previous topic - next topic

85 T-Bird Parking Brake Vacuum Question

My parking brake wouldnt work when the vacuum line to auto release was connected, so my mechanic disconnected it so i could pass inspection. it would not lock into place when the vacuum was connected

The first mechanic who didnt know much told me that my assembly was bad, so i had bought a new assembly, this was before the second mechanic looked at it and realized it was the vacuum issue

so today the assembly came in and since i dont know where the vacuum line is supposed to connect to it, i cant tell if this brake has the vacuum auto release.:punchballs:  i hope this mess above makes sense

here are the pictures of the new parking brake assembly, i am hoping someone could tell me if this one has the vacuum auto release, and where would i plug it into.

also, since it was an issue with the vacuum auto release, would a new assembly likely fix it or is it most likely an issue somewhere else











thanks for your help guys

85 T-Bird Parking Brake Vacuum Question

Reply #1 –
The manual-release parking brake has a T-Handle for releasing the brake that extends from under the left side of the instrument panel.

The automatic vacuum release has a lever that extends down from from the brake assemble for manually releasing it.
It also has a vacuum motor (can shaped thing) with a metal tube sticking out of it that the vacuum hose hooks to.

There is a vacuum release valve mounted on the steering column that lets vacuum go to the brake release when the shift lever is in a forward driving gear position.

Sounds like in your case the vacuum is getting through no matter what position the shifter is in.
 

85 T-Bird Parking Brake Vacuum Question

Reply #2 –
does that mean that the assembly has nothing to do with the problem. it is probably the can????

85 T-Bird Parking Brake Vacuum Question

Reply #3 –
You say the brake works ok with the vacuum disconnected. That means it was getting vacuum when it shouldn't.
Find the vacuum hose the mechanic disconnected and see if it has vacuum with the engine idling in park. If it does the problem is with the vacuum valve on the steering column. (I am assuming he disconnected the hose at the brake end.)