1964 Emergency Brake Stuck

[Ocala Joe]

Hi. I have a 1964 Thunderbird convertible and the emergency brake is stuck in the on position. I tried pushing of the pedal to release it but it does not spring back. Any thoughts? Thanks.

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[Marc W]

I believe it's made to release by the vacuum system when the gear shift is put into drive. My 66 doesn't work either. I just use a screwdriver to pop it free. On the 66 there's a U shape slot on the stem that I use to pry it free. No damage done, but it frees the pedal. Wait and see if others say the same thing to be sure I'm not giiving you bad info.

 

[64ZCODE]

The '64 e brake mechanism has a "manual release handle". Once you've released the e brake, try dousing the mechanism with penetrating oil and work it back and forth.

 

[lvhdude]

Hi. I have a 1964 Thunderbird convertible and the emergency brake is stuck in the on position. I tried pushing of the pedal to release it but it does not spring back. Any thoughts? Thanks.

My 64 is vacuum released when put in gear. But there is a failure in the system somewhere under the dash. There is a small lever in the e brake pedal that will release the mechanism. Hard to do from the seat. I've blocked off the vacuum to the hose that has the leak until I have the ambition to disassemble the dash. You can access the release motor and test with a vacuum pump. Mine is good, so the issue is elsewhere in the circuit.

 

[64ZCODE]

Back when I bought the car, the PO had disconnected the vacuum to the e brake release mechanism because the shifter mechanism was worn and if parked on a slope, the car would pop out of Park, into gear, and let off the e brake all at once - an unacceptable situation. I prefer to be the one who decides when the e brake is released, so I rigged the lever extension below so I can easily release the e brake with my foot. The shifter mechanism is fixed now, but I have no plans to reconnect the vacuum release system.

 

[c.m.]

Hi. I have a 1964 Thunderbird convertible and the emergency brake is stuck in the on position. I tried pushing of the pedal to release it but it does not spring back. Any thoughts? Thanks.

I used a long flat-head screwdriver to release the emergency brake.