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Old 01-10-2013, 12:47 PM   #26
M45
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The parking brake is for making sure your vehicle does not run down the hill without you, not stopping while in motion.
I thought it was also for stopping the car in a situation where the brake pedal doesn't seem to be doing anything? like I said - on my old car pulling the parking brake would just about lock up the rear wheels b/c it was actually engaging the normal disc brakes. in this car if my normal brakes wouldn't work (loss of pressure or something) I would be somewhat screwed!
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Old 01-10-2013, 01:22 PM   #27
sgoldste01
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in this car if my normal brakes wouldn't work (loss of pressure or something) I would be somewhat screwed!
I believe the chances of you completely losing your brakes is almost zero (please disregard what you've seen in the movies). If memory serves me correctly, modern brake systems are split into two different "circuits", so that your right-front and left-rear brakes are on one circuit, and the left-front and right-rear brakes are on another circuit. Manufacturers do this, of course, so that if you lose your brakes, you're actually only going to lose half of your brakes, which is good enough to control the car safely.

When's the last time you've completely lost your brakes and had to use your parking brake to stop? If you're like me, the answer is "never".
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Old 01-10-2013, 01:27 PM   #28
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Who are you to say movies arent factual?
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Old 01-10-2013, 01:52 PM   #29
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Many drivers of automatics never use the parking brake at all, until one day they do, and it does not release because it freezes up.

Unless there is some emergency need, there is no need to apply the parking brake while in motion.

But use it occasionally, just like you should use AC or Defrost settings occasionally in the winter, just to keep everything circulating and ready.

For us 5 speed drivers, no need to worry, the e brake gets applied daily (I hope!)
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Old 01-10-2013, 02:16 PM   #30
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I use the e-brake everytime i park. i have a cvt and park on flat ground. im not sure why i do but its a habit now. lol
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Old 01-10-2013, 02:57 PM   #31
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I thought it was also for stopping the car in a situation where the brake pedal doesn't seem to be doing anything? like I said - on my old car pulling the parking brake would just about lock up the rear wheels b/c it was actually engaging the normal disc brakes. in this car if my normal brakes wouldn't work (loss of pressure or something) I would be somewhat screwed!
Stopping without front brakes in a nose-heavy car is an interesting experience in any circumstance, but it is possible. The brake warning light is also supposed to alert you to a problem, hopefully before the pedal drops to the floor pan.

When you lose braking authority, you're supposed to:
1) Pump the hydraulic brakes, in case you're only suffering a partial fluid loss (front and rear are separate except for drawing from the same reservoir, which has a barrier to retain some fluid for each channel and prevent one channel from completely draining it).
2) Downshift and use engine braking to reduce speed as much as possible (keeping the engine on also retains power steering)
3) Pulse the parking brake, so the rear tires do not lock up and remain rolling (otherwise you risk skidding sideways; big pain in the rear with cars that use a foot pedal and no release handle)
4) Find something to side-swipe to reduce your speed (guard rail, embankment, etc)

Yes, drum-in-rotor systems are less powerful than systems that activate the normal rear brakes (either disc or a full-sized drum), but a drum system is less complicated for cable-actuated operation while the disc is better for every day driving so it is a compromise in the design.
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Old 01-10-2013, 03:20 PM   #32
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Originally Posted by sgoldste01 View Post
I believe the chances of you completely losing your brakes is almost zero (please disregard what you've seen in the movies). If memory serves me correctly, modern brake systems are split into two different "circuits", so that your right-front and left-rear brakes are on one circuit, and the left-front and right-rear brakes are on another circuit. Manufacturers do this, of course, so that if you lose your brakes, you're actually only going to lose half of your brakes, which is good enough to control the car safely.

When's the last time you've completely lost your brakes and had to use your parking brake to stop? If you're like me, the answer is "never".
there actually was a time where I had an alternator die and I was attempting to pull into a parking lot and the brakes were getting harder and harder to operate. so while the answer is never I did get close once

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kharn View Post
Stopping without front brakes in a nose-heavy car is an interesting experience in any circumstance, but it is possible. The brake warning light is also supposed to alert you to a problem, hopefully before the pedal drops to the floor pan.

When you lose braking authority, you're supposed to:
1) Pump the hydraulic brakes, in case you're only suffering a partial fluid loss (front and rear are separate except for drawing from the same reservoir, which has a barrier to retain some fluid for each channel and prevent one channel from completely draining it).
2) Downshift and use engine braking to reduce speed as much as possible (keeping the engine on also retains power steering)
3) Pulse the parking brake, so the rear tires do not lock up and remain rolling (otherwise you risk skidding sideways; big pain in the rear with cars that use a foot pedal and no release handle)
4) Find something to side-swipe to reduce your speed (guard rail, embankment, etc)

Yes, drum-in-rotor systems are less powerful than systems that activate the normal rear brakes (either disc or a full-sized drum), but a drum system is less complicated for cable-actuated operation while the disc is better for every day driving so it is a compromise in the design.
all good advice - hopefully in the heat of the moment I can keep my head on straight and actually do this stuff.
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Old 01-10-2013, 04:17 PM   #33
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My thoughts exactly. I really don't understand the concern with the clunk. If you don't like the clunk, don't use the parking brake while in motion. Problem solved!
Well, if there's something wrong with the ebrake, I would want to have it repaired while it's still under warranty. Whether I would ever use it it not relevant.
Given that it makes a loud clunk, I'm concerned that when it's used in motion, it could cause damage to other parts of the car. I just want the problem taken care of while everything is still under warranty.

I heard that in sever braking situations on ice, loose snow/sand/dirt ebrake is sometimes needed to force wheel lock up to shorten stopping distance, since ABS in those situations actually prolongs stopping distance.

I had a car that lost power to brakes when the engine stalls, and the quickest way to stop that was was the ebrake, so I had to use ebrake to stop a car before, so it's conceivable that ebrake could be needed while in motion.

I did some testing today. I tested the ebrake with the CVT in drive and neutral. There was no difference in response. Both results with the same clunk. Noise seem to come from both rear wheels. It really doesn't seem to be related to any clutch for the AWD drivetrain.
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Old 01-10-2013, 04:18 PM   #34
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there actually was a time where I had an alternator die and I was attempting to pull into a parking lot and the brakes were getting harder and harder to operate. so while the answer is never I did get close once



all good advice - hopefully in the heat of the moment I can keep my head on straight and actually do this stuff.
That's all basic Driver's Ed stuff.
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Old 01-10-2013, 05:03 PM   #35
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BobDole, I would guess, since almost everyone here is saying that their parking brake makes the same clunk, that it must be normal. But if you want it checked out by the dealer under warranty, then you should do so.
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Old 01-10-2013, 07:59 PM   #36
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That's all basic Driver's Ed stuff.
not saying I didn't know it - I'm just saying that sometimes when the **** hits the fan people don't think right. it's not like I've trained to do all this stuff. it's not automatic. it will in fact require my brain to process for a moment b/c it's not something I've ever had to actually do. you telling me you've never frozen up for a moment when something unexpected happens mr. squinty eyes?
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Old 01-10-2013, 08:14 PM   #37
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I have a 5 speed, I just did the test, and if I pull the ebrake while in motion it clunks.

I won't be doing it again unless there is a reason, which there really isn't, unless it is an emergency (hence the term, emergency brake) or I am parked (hence the term, parking brake)
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Old 01-10-2013, 09:07 PM   #38
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not saying I didn't know it - I'm just saying that sometimes when the **** hits the fan people don't think right. it's not like I've trained to do all this stuff. it's not automatic. it will in fact require my brain to process for a moment b/c it's not something I've ever had to actually do. you telling me you've never frozen up for a moment when something unexpected happens mr. squinty eyes?
I had a fuel pump die while doing ~50mph in a '87 Voyager, I quickly discovered the power brakes were good for one 50-15mph stop and the power steering lasts for one good 90deg turn into a vacant parking lot. Standing on the brake pedal and praying a bit let me stop about ~2' before the stone wall 30' into the lot.
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Old 01-10-2013, 10:16 PM   #39
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BobDole, I would guess, since almost everyone here is saying that their parking brake makes the same clunk, that it must be normal. But if you want it checked out by the dealer under warranty, then you should do so.
Just because the clunk is being reported by everyone that tested it doesn't make it NORMAL. This is the only car that has ever done this. I've drive 50+ cars in my life.
If it's a design flaw, they have something called 'recall' to fix things.
At the minimum they'll have a TSB to address it if enough people complain about it.
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Old 01-10-2013, 11:41 PM   #40
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I doubt a TSB or recall will be issued for a problem 99% of people will never notice and that does not occur under normal operation. A parking brake isn't designed to be applied while the car is moving, by definition...

I use my parking brake every time I park, and have never noticed anything abnormal.
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Old 01-11-2013, 06:26 AM   #41
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What am I going to complain about? When I use the brake it clunks while stopping the car?

I've only used a parking brake while in motion once, as an emergency brake, and that is because after Monroe replaced the struts in my car the tech didn't torque the brake caliper bolts, causing one front caliper to fall off when exiting the highway.

It worked perfectly, I was able to use the e-brake to stop the car, and was of course that was my last trip to Monroe, and is why I learned and began to do most of my mechanical work myself (and all of my brake work, it is pretty easy to do and to teach yourself).

I use that lever in my Subaru all the time as a parking brake, and it works perfectly, because when the car is stopped it does not clunk, and it keeps the car from rolling away when I park it.

The odds that I will ever use it again causing a clunking sound are extremely low, because I will only do that if it is an emergency.

You are way overthinking this, and there will never be a TSB to address the concerns of Impreza owners who like to play with their parking brake while in motion. Sorry I had to break the bad news to you.
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Old 01-11-2013, 10:34 AM   #42
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Originally Posted by bobdole888 View Post
I heard that in sever braking situations on ice, loose snow/sand/dirt ebrake is sometimes needed to force wheel lock up to shorten stopping distance, since ABS in those situations actually prolongs stopping distance.
Try it some time on snow and ice. . You will find yourself pointing in a different direction fast. I used to use the e-brake often with my old Ford Escort to have some fun in parking lots. Rear braking (e-brakes) only in little cars does next to nothing except make the rear loose all traction when moving on snow/ice.

I would suggest that somebody mentiones it to Subaru during a visit. Maybe the clunk is a design flaw (I doubt it) but it could be. Maybe some part was delievered out of spec and since the e-brake isn't used hard very often, the true issue behind the clunck hasn't yet beocme a problem.

FYI - My CVT made the noise too. It takes very little presure and only a slight pull of the lever.
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Old 01-11-2013, 10:48 AM   #43
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Try it some time on snow and ice. . You will find yourself pointing in a different direction fast. I used to use the e-brake often with my old Ford Escort to have some fun in parking lots. Rear braking (e-brakes) only in little cars does next to nothing except make the rear loose all traction when moving on snow/ice.
Right, which is why I used this technique in my old Civic to teach my daughter winter driving/skid recovery skills.

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I would suggest that somebody mentiones it to Subaru during a visit.
Not me. My parking brake is working perfectly just the way it is. If I forget to release the brake and try to back the car out of the garage, the brake keeps the car from moving. Mission accomplished. Does mine clunk? I have no idea--haven't tried it, and I'm not planning to try it.
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Old 01-19-2013, 09:22 PM   #44
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I'm not sure if it will make you guys feel better but, my 2006 STI Clunks as well when the parking brake is engaged, the noise is coming from the differential. However it also clunks when i hit the brakes, Im investigating this as well, i heard from another STI owner that his did the same. So it could be just simple backlash from the differential.
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Old 01-20-2013, 05:46 AM   #45
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tried again - noticed the clunk. doesn't sound like anything concerning.
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Old 01-23-2013, 01:41 AM   #46
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I took it to the dealer today. Mostly to have them fix the seatback spring problem, but I asked them to check the parking brake clunk.
They said the sound is 'normal'.
Doesn't sound like they even bothered to check it out.
The service staff had no clue that applying the parking brake while in motion is part of the break in procedure.
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Old 01-04-2014, 09:53 PM   #47
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I hear the loud grinding clunk too. I use my hand brake all the time in the snow. how else can i kick the rear end out to ENTER a snowy turn sideways? who doesn't kick the rear end out with the ebrake this way in the snow? but i cant in this car.

In other cars the hand brake is connected to a cable that squeezes the rear calipers when it is pulled. I think in our 12+ imps it is a completely separate mechanism from the rear brakes.It is like a pin lock or someshi.

The only saving grace to this car was pulling the VDC fuse to have more fun sliding sideways sans ABS, but not being able to start a spin while moving using the ebrake ruins A LOT of the real fun of an AWD car. I would love to convert to different type of hand brake mechanism from an older imp or something to make this car fun somehow.
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