Why doesn't my E brake completely lock my rear wheels?
(2010-12-01 15:10:08) 1. Says: It will still slow me down but just won't lock em, even on snow. Is it because it's rwd?-- 2000 Ford Mustang --2. Says: No, there not meant to be locked while moving. You can tighten the cable until it locks your wheels but if it hasn't been modified it wont lock the wheels. If i'm guessing right your trying to drift around a corner, specifically snow. Just turn floor it and its rear wheel and it'll break traction and slide.3. Says: The mechanical cable applied hand brake suffers several inherent limitations, in perfect condition it can apply 1/4 to 1/2 of the braking force which the hydraulic wheel cylinders can apply, this is usually enough however to lock the rear wheels for the purpose of inducing a skid - even on dry pavement. Having said that I will point out that your vehicle is 10 years old and it would greatly surprise me if the parking/handbrake system has had any serious attention since it was built into the car. Rust in the brake shoe mechanism, in the cables and in the pivots and equalizer can reduce the effectiveness to next to nothing. The rear brakes may also be far out of adjustment adding to the loss of effectiveness.
My recommendation is simple: disassemble and lubricate all pivots, and replace both rear wheel cables and all of the rear brake shoes and in drum hardware, remove all rust from any contact points and coat all contact points with Copper Plus Anti-Seize and Brake Caliper Lube. Then either turn the drums or replace them depending on condition and properly adjust the rear shoes on re-assembly. Should have you doing skid slides in no time!.4. Says: They probably just need adjusting. Take it somewhere and have them look at it for you.5. Says: your e-brake cable needs adjusted. Tag: Why doesn't my E brake completely lock my rear wheels?