How to Replace Emergency Brakes in a Mitsubishi Eclipse

Emergency brakes were originally used to stop a vehicle during a failure of the regular brakes. However, emergency brakes are now used primarily to keep the vehicle from moving while parked because the regular brakes on a Mitsubishi Eclipse rarely fail. Emergency brakes most often need to be replaced as a result of disuse, which can cause the components to rust and seize.

Instructions

1

Determine which type of emergency brakes your Mitsubishi Eclipse will need. Emergency brakes typically function by activating the regular braking system on the driving wheels. The emergency brakes for the Mitsubishi Eclipse may use disc or drum brakes on the rear wheels.

2

Raise the vehicle and remove the rear wheels with a socket wrench.

3

Remove the brake drum, if present. Detach the return spring for the parking brake lever and the shoe-to-lever spring. Disconnect the brake adjuster lever and the auto-adjuster assembly. Remove the retainer spring, brake shoe hold-down springs and spring cups and the shoe-to-shoe spring. You can now remove the brake shoes with a socket wrench. Disconnect the parking brake cable from the lever on the brake shoe.

4

Replace the brake pads if you have disc brakes. Drain some of the brake fluid from the master brake cylinder and release the brake. Disconnect the parking brake cable and the lower pin on the brake caliper with a socket wrench. Swing the caliper assembly upward so you can remove the outer shim, brake pads and spring clips from the brake caliper support. Compress the piston into the caliper bore.

5

Install the new brake shoes if you have rear drum brakes. Clean the backing plate and apply a light coating of brake grease to the six support pads for the brake shoes and the threads for the brake adjuster.

6

Replace the new brake pads if you have rear disc brakes. Lubricate all sliding and pivot points in addition to the lower pin.