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Screeching noise when e-brake is depressed

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by SZ92, Jan 28, 2009.

  1. SZ92

    SZ92 Junior Member

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    I was trying to teach my son some of the effects snow has on a car while driving and I depressed the e-brake in order to get the car to go out of control (parking lot was empty) and the car did not stop but kept going and slowing down a little making a loud screeching noise. Does anybody know what is going on?
     
    #1 SZ92, Jan 28, 2009
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Sounds like the electronic vehicle stability control (VSC) kicked in. Good luck spinning out your car, it's not easy to do.
     
    #2 efusco, Jan 28, 2009
  3. SZ92

    SZ92 Junior Member

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    No, sorry I do not think it is the VSC becasue I have spun out the car and the VSC beeps and the dash lights up.
     
    #3 SZ92, Jan 28, 2009
  4. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Can you clarify where the sound was coming from in the OP?
     
    #4 efusco, Jan 28, 2009
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    What happens when you are driving on a road without snow and then apply the parking brake as hard as you can. Do you still get the noise? How quickly does the car slow down?

    If the noise continues to appear (and if coming from the rear of the vehicle), then maybe there's some dirt on the drum brake linings. Try speeding up, then slowing down using the parking brake a few times, to see if the noise goes away.

    If you continue to hear the noise, then maybe you need to have the brakes checked out. Or if you want to DIY, you can remove the rear tires and then pull off the brake drums when the parking brake is not engaged.

    Use brake parts cleaner spray to clean off the drums and the brake shoes. The shoe lining is 4 mm thick when new (thickness does not count the steel backing plate); 1 mm is the minimum allowable thickness.

    If a drum is stuck, you can use a couple of 6 mm bolts to force the drum off. Note the two threaded holes on each drum, screw the bolts into the holes and that will push the drum off.

    Under the best of conditions, the parking brake doesn't do much to slow the car down when you are traveling at speed. It will very slowly reduce your speed, so don't expect much help if you have a real brake failure problem.
     
    #5 Patrick Wong, Jan 28, 2009
  6. SZ92

    SZ92 Junior Member

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    Oh, okay when at speed the parking brake slows the car down with the noise from the back, but I did not expects the break to be so crappy because if I pull it all the way in my Maxima it almost stops instantly.
     
    #6 SZ92, Jan 28, 2009
  7. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    The E(mergency)-brake is the wide pedal in the middle of the drivers footwell also known as the service brake, or foot brake. The smaller pedal on the left and up high is a parking brake. As it isn't designed to stop the car, just hold it on a hill, if it is noisy it doesn't matter.

    A quick way to loosen a brake drum is a sharp tap with a hammer. If 2 hits doesn't do the job, use the puller bolts.

    I suspect the noise you heard was the tyres sliding on snow.
     
    #7 patsparks, Jan 28, 2009
  8. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    SZ92, do you set the parking brake when you park?
     
    #8 richard schumacher, Jan 29, 2009
  9. SZ92

    SZ92 Junior Member

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    No, not all the time but the car is less than a year old so Im sure rust has not accumilated.
     
    #9 SZ92, Jan 29, 2009
  10. Turbogizzmo

    Turbogizzmo New Member

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    Could it be the ABS trying to activate ????

    I am always testing the roads (in bad weather) with the normal brake to check conditions (drives the gf nuts) and if i slide i feel the anti-locks kick on....can the anti-lock work while you have the e-brake (parking brake) engaged?
     
    #10 Turbogizzmo, Jan 29, 2009
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