Will you pass after fixing? Don't know. Most Fiero and many old cars have parking park problem. Bad cables, iffy brakes, iffy handle/pedal for Pbrakes... Worse, Many think they fixed the problem using rebuilt calipers. Rebuilt rear caliper for Fiero and others are bad right out of box or very soon after install. The rebuild company often reuse/rebuilt pistons that was design as a one shot use than scrap.
Your state does this? Yuck. Can you post a link with inspection rules. Car should pass if Pbrakes work but is not a very good test.
Likely 1 reason why NHTSA/DOT test Pbrake when trans is in neutral... Depending on Engine and trans gearing might not pass even when parking brakes are perfect. Probable not good for the clutch in stick cars. FMVSS 571.105 test the subsystem on a small "hill..." 30% grade for 5 minute. test done w/ car nose up and down the hill. Update version Pbrake test, 571.135 published in 1995, is same but on a lower hill... 20% Grade.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
Theogre, you forgot to mention another awful Fiero rear brake issue: Dragging calipers... Mine drag terribly to the point of very bad brake fading. This is a very common problem with aftermarket 84-87 rear calipers. Kit
Originally posted by Kitskaboodle: Theogre, you forgot to mention another awful Fiero rear brake issue: Dragging calipers... Mine drag terribly to the point of very bad brake fading. This is a very common problem with aftermarket 84-87all Fiero and others rear calipers. Kit
88 Fiero uses same piston design and gets same problems. when that happens, you need to fix/replace the part or can cause fading, boiled fluid, and even fires.
besides slider problems... Most cause by "rebuilt" pistons. I've seen that first hand. the piston will "blow up" when the cap fails and spring inside the piston pushes on pistons/pads.
Will a properly working '84-'87 Fiero Parking Brake keep the car from moving in first gear (manual transmission), at near idle engine speed?
This apparently is required to pass state inspection.
Thanks for the help.
Sure, now getting it to do that is a lot of fun, I have had everything from, stretched cables, bent handle arms, defective rebuilt calipers, right out of the box as well, hanging pads, the list goes on.
now we do have one saving grace if your state has antique plate exemption, Maine does. But with caveats.
but getting them to allow you to get that plate is another story. Wife went to get one for our 86 SE and it is dependent on whoever is saying if your car qualifies.
While I understand and agree a working parking brake is a great idea, sometimes it can be a very elusive thing to get to working.
good luck, your going to need it.
Steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't
I'm thinking about putting antique plates on the '87 GT 5-speed. They are easy to get here in Virginia for any vehicle that is 25 years old or older. You do need to also have a vehicle with standard registration, to also have one with antique plates as well.
Has anyone on here from Virginia, been hassled by law enforcement for over-use while driving with antique plates?
I had this same problem last year, but I was able to adjust the bolt where the cable lever is mounted on the caliper to get the E. Brake to hold for the inspection. This year it happened again. Before attempting to repair, I noticed the RH caliper was clamping the rotor. The RH caliper was on the car when I bought it in 2011.
The LH caliper was not clamping the rotor, which had been replaced with a reman. unit from Advance Auto with a L/L warranty back in 2012. I tried adjusting the cable lever bolt again, but I did not have enough hex shape left on the bolt to mount the seal and cable lever, so I returned the caliper to Advance for another unit under warranty. What came in the next day appeared to be a part with a brand new casting. It looked very nice, and I thought they may have sent a new unit rather than a reman. unit.
I installed this caliper on the LH side, and saw that both calipers did now clamp the rotors. I thought this was a good sign.
I put the wheels back on, and did a test for holding in first gear. I can tell the E. brakes are on now, but it will not hold the car completely stopped.
I think I know what the problem is. I realized I may not be turning the cable arm lever bolt, on the caliper, the correct way for adjustment. I was turning it inward toward the piston, but I was not really sure if that was correct. So a gave friend a call, and he confirmed that I need to turn it so it is going outward, away from the piston. I am going to do that to both LH & RH calipers now.
[This message has been edited by hdryder (edited 10-05-2013).]
I got the Parking Brake to hold in gear. In the 1988 Pontiac Fiero Owners Manual, it states:
"To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down while pulling the parking brake lever all the way up."
After setting the Parking Brake correctly as stated above, the P-Brake did hold the car in gear.
Also, after swapping dash bulbs to try to get the BRAKE light working, with no success, I swapped in a spare gauge set I had and the BRAKE light is now working.
Now I can drop off the car tomorrow morning for a re-inspection, and I am pretty sure it should now pass.
[This message has been edited by hdryder (edited 10-06-2013).]