Heed Jon B's warning on 2003-2010 emergency brake issue

[apeas2]

Great thread, thanks! My 08 only has 4k miles on it, and if I pull my ebrake handle all of the way back, it still wont prevent the car from rolling even on a slight incline. If I set and release a bunch of times, will it tighten the cable or do I have a different problem? Thanks!

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

Great thread, thanks! My 08 only has 4k miles on it, and if I pull my ebrake handle all of the way back, it still wont prevent the car from rolling even on a slight incline. If I set and release a bunch of times, will it tighten the cable or do I have a different problem? Thanks!

Every time you pull the handle of your (any year) Viper, you are adjusting the Rear brake pads closer to the rotor. If you pull it 10 times vs 2 times, you WILL be adjusting it tighter each time on a 1-way threaded ratchet. But there is a 'diminished return' once you get the pad right up to the rotor, it is not designed to keep tightening at all costs. BUT IT DOES NOT RELEASE WELL on SRT10s

The SRT10 Problem is that the inner pads can and do drag the rotor a bit, eating up the inner pad and potentially eating up the inner rotor. The INNER problem is that it is "Out-Of-Sight" unless you read this thread and CHECK !


If you hear a very slight 'scuff' sound as the car comes to a stop, ASSume its dragging.

[Joel]

This is not just a problem with Vipers. Lots of cars wear pads differently - it is just more expensive with a Viper though some exotics are more. Curiously, I checked my pads on my '03 and both are wearing the same - inner and outer - with 25,000 miles and I do use my e-brake. Even a blind hog finds an acorn.

[Newport Viper]

From the Manuel,
(1) Using the retractor tool, rotate piston clockwise until the piston is fully seated (bottomed) in the bore. My note (Needle nose pliers work too)
(2) Install the pads, (outboard and inboard) are identical
(3) Position the spring and then slide the retaining pin through the spring and holes in brake pads.
(4) Install the hair pin in the retaining pin.
(5) Install the caliper onto the knuckle.
(6) Insert the cable through caliper bracket and slide cable housing into caliper bracket.
(7) Then install cable end into the apply lever on caliper.
(8) Grasp the cable between cable housing and apply lever and pull outward until there is enough slack to install over the pivoting wheel.

[apeas2]

Just had the wheels off on my 08. Plenty of pad left (inner and outer) on both sides. I still have the issue where I yank my ebrake lever all the way back and it doesn't hold my car, not even on the slightest incline. Did my cable stretch? What should I do? I have the service manual and I couldn't find a chapter to adjust the ebrake. Thanks!

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

This is not just a problem with Vipers. Lots of cars wear pads differently - it is just more expensive with a Viper though some exotics are more. Curiously, I checked my pads on my '03 and both are wearing the same - inner and outer - with 25,000 miles and I do use my e-brake. Even a blind hog finds an acorn.

Joel: You have an oddball......

I actually suspect that after 11 years and 25k miles maybe the 'auto adjust' ratchet tightener is non-functioning ! APEAS2 may also have a non-functioning tightener.

[Joel]

You callin' me an oddball...? I guess if the shoe fits.

Joel: You have an oddball......

I actually suspect that after 11 years and 25k miles maybe the 'auto adjust' ratchet tightener is non-functioning ! APEAS2 may also have a non-functioning tightener.

[apeas2]

Joel: APEAS2 may also have a non-functioning tightener.

Thanks JonB. I do have an extended warranty with a $200 deductible, I just dont want SRT certified mechanics working on it. When I got my oil change last year (before I installed a lift), I was talking to my "Viper Tech" about other fluids being 6 years old, but my car only had 2300 miles on it when I bought it. The "Viper Tech" first asked me if my Viper was a stick or Automatic and then proceeded to tell me that the fluids are not broken in yet as my car has low miles. He said the other fluids being 6 years old were not a problem including the coolant.

[Joel]

JonB just called me an oddball but he's talking about your tightener. The man has no shame.

Thanks JonB. I do have an extended warranty with a $200 deductible, I just dont want SRT certified mechanics working on it. When I got my oil change last year (before I installed a lift), I was talking to my "Viper Tech" about other fluids being 6 years old, but my car only had 2300 miles on it when I bought it. The "Viper Tech" first asked me if my Viper was a stick or Automatic and then proceeded to tell me that the fluids are not broken in yet as my car has low miles. He said the other fluids being 6 years old were not a problem including the coolant.

[swexlin]

Thanks JonB. I do have an extended warranty with a $200 deductible, I just dont want SRT certified mechanics working on it. When I got my oil change last year (before I installed a lift), I was talking to my "Viper Tech" about other fluids being 6 years old, but my car only had 2300 miles on it when I bought it. The "Viper Tech" first asked me if my Viper was a stick or Automatic and then proceeded to tell me that the fluids are not broken in yet as my car has low miles. He said the other fluids being 6 years old were not a problem including the coolant.

Now that is scary. After all these years, these types of stories still amaze me.

[Alex Mills]

Just had the wheels off on my 08. Plenty of pad left (inner and outer) on both sides. I still have the issue where I yank my ebrake lever all the way back and it doesn't hold my car, not even on the slightest incline. Did my cable stretch? What should I do? I have the service manual and I couldn't find a chapter to adjust the ebrake. Thanks!

I have the same problem. Mine will even roll in gear so it's always worrying and I have to avoid steep hills.

[Alex Mills]

Sure enough...

Took my driver's side wheel off and plenty of pad left. Thought I'd be fine. Took the passenger's side off. You can barely see any pad at all left! Getting the dealer to replace it tomorrow. Thanks for saving me from having to get a new set of rotors! Phew!

[Unorthodox]

Good to know! Thanks for sharing!

[swexlin]

Well, I'm having new Baer rotors (and new pads all around) installed next week. After they go on, I'll be using the E-brake only minimally (parking on a hill, for instance) in order to prevent this type of thing from happening on my 03.

Thanks to JonB again for those rotors, by the way!!

[Creatre]

Good read. Just picked up the car and I hear the squeak at low speeds. Previous owner said he just swapped inner/outer ebrake pads to help even wear. Will leave in gear in flat situations!

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

Sure enough...

Took my driver's side wheel off and plenty of pad left. Thought I'd be fine. Took the passenger's side off. You can barely see any pad at all left! Getting the dealer to replace it tomorrow. Thanks for saving me from having to get a new set of rotors! Phew!

Alex - I would have provided the E pads you need for $65, free-ship 1-day local. Lessee what the dealer charges you?

[Husker]

Not sure how I missed this thread the first time. I know what I will be checking this weekend. I'm at 10,000 miles on my 08 SRT and use the E-brake all the time. Guess I have to give my report on what I find.

[RPM9000]

I am new to the Gen.IV and sure glad I found this thread. My ACR has 11,000 miles on it and I will check it this weekend too.

[Alex Mills]

Well, I'm having new Baer rotors (and new pads all around) installed next week. After they go on, I'll be using the E-brake only minimally (parking on a hill, for instance) in order to prevent this type of thing from happening on my 03.

Thanks to JonB again for those rotors, by the way!!

I pretty much never use my parking brake and still had the issue. I'd still check to make sure you have plenty of pad left. Can't be too safe.

Alex - I would have provided the E pads you need for $65, free-ship 1-day local. Lessee what the dealer charges you?

Way, way more than that!

I think they said it'd be $200 for the kit of 4 (yeesh!), plus $160 in labor. I don't really have a good place to work on my car -- the garage I get with my apartment is very narrow which makes doing a brake job a pain. Worth the money to me to just pay and be done with it.

Thank you though -- I will certainly be hitting you up for any parts for non-dealer work I do to my car.

[swexlin]

Alex, thanks, it's a moot point, because my rotors and pads are being replaced next week. But after everything new goes on, I'm getting into new habits about using (or not using) the e-brake.

[slpfirehawk]

Spoke to JonB on the phone about the issue and he was very helpful. Took time out of his busy day to answer my questions about the e-brake issue. We took my left rear wheel off today at work on my 09 ACR and the inner pad was almost gone! I backed off the caliper.. along with swapping the pads. No more rubbing and rotor is in good shape!

[Alex Mills]

I think they said it'd be $200 for the kit of 4 (yeesh!), plus $160 in labor.

I totally misheard his parts quote. It ended up being $125 for 4 new pads (about what JonB would charge, but with him I could get just 2 pads) and $160 in labor. All in all easier than trying to do it in my garage that's barely wider than the car.

[RPM9000]

I just got through pulling my rear wheels and my inside pads are more worn than the outers but they still have plenty pad left. I am in flat country here so I rarely need to use the e-brake.

[ohlarikd]

For some reason - the retainer pin is not sliding out. I removed the cotter pin of course, I can spin it, but it will not slide out... Help a dullard out here... what am I missing, other than my mind?

[Steve M]

For some reason - the retainer pin is not sliding out. I removed the cotter pin of course, I can spin it, but it will not slide out... Help a dullard out here... what am I missing, other than my mind?

What are you missing? A sledgehammer most likely...mine was fairly stuck too. Just need a hammer with some mass behind it.