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General Information => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: ReubenG on March 13, 2014, 01:33:24 pm

Title: 1981 Rabbit Pickup E Brake help
Post by: ReubenG on March 13, 2014, 01:33:24 pm

I need to replace the emergency brake (hand). I've got the cables, a new button/spring/clicker mechanism, and a Bentley. Currently on my truck there is no button... so I haven't touched it. Is there a good DIY somewhere...? Thanks.

Title: Re: 1981 Rabbit Pickup E Brake help
Post by: Dakotakid on March 14, 2014, 12:58:13 am

I sincerely doubt it. This is a pretty rudimentary undertaking.
I will say that removal of one of the seats makes the job easier. At last it did for me on one of the cars.

Title: Re: 1981 Rabbit Pickup E Brake help
Post by: wolf_walker on March 14, 2014, 09:35:05 am

The German e-brake handle is a nice upgrade, the US/Mex ones are kinda crude.
The whole werks tends to bet bent toward the drivers side from offsided pressure being applied, might check it all for straightness while it's out.

Otherwise, pretty simple, lube the hard tubes the cable goes through, lube the cables, watch the routing.

Title: Re: 1981 Rabbit Pickup E Brake help
Post by: ReubenG on March 25, 2014, 01:04:36 pm

Do the brake drums need to come off/apart for this?

Title: Re: 1981 Rabbit Pickup E Brake help
Post by: wolf_walker on March 25, 2014, 04:39:42 pm

Drums off.

FWIW I'd do the shoes and the hardware while you have them off. 

Title: Re: 1981 Rabbit Pickup E Brake help
Post by: ReubenG on March 28, 2014, 01:43:09 pm

good call...

Title: Re: 1981 Rabbit Pickup E Brake help
Post by: Dakotakid on March 28, 2014, 11:48:45 pm

Including the wheel cylinders.

Title: Re: 1981 Rabbit Pickup E Brake help
Post by: ReubenG on September 02, 2014, 06:02:52 am

WTF, so the cable was badly corroded and my new cables already have all the exterior protective covering on them, so there is no need for the hard, coiled metal original ebrake cable covers.... so I ended up cutting them off all together, but now the hard steel piece that leads into the cab for the ebrake cables is jammed with the original cable... stuck. I don't know how to ream out those little pipes. Anyone experience this?

Title: Re: 1981 Rabbit Pickup E Brake help
Post by: Dakotakid on September 02, 2014, 09:34:37 pm

The metal tubes into the cab should still be available for purchase (I know Mk. II's are).

EDIT: I spent some time looking for replacement tubes and I don't see a listing.....sorry.

Title: Re: 1981 Rabbit Pickup E Brake help
Post by: fatmobile on September 12, 2014, 12:05:13 pm

Plastic pieces in a metal tube? Usually.
 Heat it up with a propane torch.