REAR CALIPER PARK BRAKE SERVICE ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE
Subject: REAR CALIPER PARK BRAKE SERVICE ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE
Model and Years: 1982-88 CAMARO WITH REAR DISC BRAKES
The subject vehicle with rear disc brakes are designed to automatically adjust. Some vehicles may experience increased rotor to lining clearance if the rear calipers do not adjust fully. The following is a procedure that can provide manual adjustment and can be repeated, if necessary.
1. Raise vehicle.
2. Remove rear wheels.
3. Reinstall two lug nuts on each axle to hold rotors in place.
4. Fully apply and release the park brake three (3) times.
5. Verify that the park brake levers are in the full release position as described in the service manual.
6. Pry caliper outboard to produce a gap between outboard pad and rotor. Insert a .010" to .015" shim between the outer brake pad and the rotor. Suggested shim shape is shown in Figure 1.
7. Apply the park brake, trapping the shim between the rotor and the outer brake pad.
8. Insert a 1/4 inch flat blade screw driver through the opening in the center of the caliper bridge and insert the blade into the dust boot groove of the caliper piston (See Figure 2).
NOTICE: BE CAREFUL NOT TO DAMAGE THE DUST BOOT WHEN INSERTING THE SCREW DRIVER BLADE.
9. Prying against the caliper opening, exert sufficient pressure on the piston to hold the inner brake pad against the rotor. While holding the piston in this position with one hand and the .010" - .015" shim with the other hand, have the park brake applied and released three (3) times.
10. Remove the shim and repeat steps 6 through 9 for the other caliper.
11. After completing Step 9 for the second caliper, release the park brake and check each axle for brake drag.
12. Apply the park brake and check each axle for park brake function.
13. If either park brake fails to operate properly, repeat Steps 6 through 9. If either park brake still fails to operate after repeating Steps 6 through 9, replace the caliper piston assembly per the service manual.
NOTICE: PERFORMING THIS ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE WITHOUT USING THE .010" TO .015" SHIM, MAY RESULT IN BRAKE DRAG.
Labor Operation Number: T1360 Labor Time : .8 Hours
TO: ALL CHEVROLET DEALERS
SUBJECT: OWNER INFORMATION MAILING - 1982-86 CHEVROLET CAMAROS WITH REAR DISC BRAKES AND MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS - REAR DISC BRAKE CONE CLUTCH PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTER
This-is to inform all Chevrolet Dealers that owners of the subject vehicles are being sent the following owner notification printed below.
Dear Chevrolet Camaro Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
In the next several months, General Motors will be conducting a recall of 1982-86 Chevrolet Camaro Model Vehicles equipped with rear disc brakes and manual transmissions to address a defect related to motor vehicle safety. The parking brake system of these vehicles may contain a nonfunctional parking brake adjuster in the rear disc brake assemblies. This condition may result in a gradual loss of parking brake effectiveness as the rear disc brake pads wear during normal brake usage. As a result, the parking brake system may not be able to hold the vehicle on a steep incline. If the vehicle is parked or left unattended with the transmission in neutral or a gear other than "reverse", the vehicle may roll away and result in personal injury or property damage.
General Motors is currently developing a new parking brake adjuster. As soon as parts are available to correct this condition, you will receive another letter advising you to contact your dealer to have the parking brake adjuster mechanisms replaced on your vehicle. Please wait until you receive this second letter before contacting your dealer.
Until your vehicle is repaired, the manual transmission must be placed in "reverse" gear each time it is parked. Also, turn the vehicle's front wheels into the curb according to your parking conditions.
Before exiting your vehicle, check to see that the vehicle remains stationary after removing your foot from the regular brake pedal. If the vehicle moves when the regular brakes are released, do not leave the vehicle in this position. The vehicle must be moved to a less steep grade in order to park safely.
If you have any questions regarding this notice, please call the Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center by calling 1-800-222-1020. The personnel at the Customer Assistance Center will be able to answer any questions you may have concerning this condition.
You should contact your dealer regarding any other brake system concerns as detailed in your owners manual. For example, if your brake warning light illuminates for any reason, you should contact your dealer to determine if some brake system repair is necessary.
We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your safety and continued satisfaction with our products.
Chevrolet Motor Division GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION"
NOTE: When a corrective action is validated for the condition described in the owner notification, a campaign bulletin will be issued to dealers containing a defect description, vehicle involvement information, parts information, repair procedures and other relevant data. Also, a second owner letter will be sent informing owners of the corrective action and advising them of proper procedures in contacting their dealer.
You may want to refer to service manual BRAKE SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC procedures for customers whom are still concerned about park brake service after receiving the above letter. A typical complaint could be "brake warning lamp glows", which could be caused by a malfunctioning park brake adjuster. It may also be helpful to refer to "Rear Caliper Park Brake Service Adjustment Procedure" (See attached Dealer Service Bulletin number 88-275-5) in providing service to a persistent customer. When actuators need to be replaced authorization must be obtained from the Dealer Assistance Center (DAC).
NOTE THAT PERFORMING ANY PARK BRAKE SERVICE ACTION(S) AT THIS TIME WILL ONLY BE TEMPORARY AND CUSTOMERS MUST BE NOTIFIED THAT THE FORTHCOMING CAMPAIGN WILL STILL NEED TO BE PERFORMED ON THEIR VEHICLE.
Please communicate this information to your Service Manager and other involved employes.
General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
