E-Brake issue "clunking noise" when pulling the e-brake while rolling.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Dake

Just for kicks I'll throw in that my e-brake has also done this since day one when pulling the handle under even the slightest of motion.

I will also admit that I've always been an e-brake user, though not for handbrake turns (well, maybe once or twice). I use it for slowing on the highway to keep the nose from diving while potentially under "observation" from the constabulary. I've been doing this for twenty years and four other cars now - and multiple rentals - and I've never heard an e-brake make this sound (I've also never "burned up" a brake or overly stretched a cable).

So, while all the links and definitions of drum brakes are nice, that is not the answer. Or more specifically it's not the whole answer. It may be perfectly normal for however the twins are set up, but it is unusual in general.

Not all e-brakes function identically. For example, the e-brake on my s2k is silent, because it mechanically applies force on the rear caliper piston, rather than actuating a drum brake like the FRS/BRZ. Unless I have unbedded race pads, in which case I'll get the same noise as stepping on the brake pedal.

[churchx]

I guess that separate drum brake system for e-brakes is usually alongside thinking to have completely separate redundant braking system for extra safety in common daily driven cars. Given choice i'd give up that safety and rather have it like in CSG Mike's s2k or linked in by fuddbutter ProjectMu rear kit with e-brake reusing disk brake caliper, if that is still street-legal configuration. Simply because of more potential to further save weight (even more so it being unsprung weight).

[Dake]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Not all e-brakes function identically. For example, the e-brake on my s2k is silent, because it mechanically applies force on the rear caliper piston, rather than actuating a drum brake like the FRS/BRZ. Unless I have unbedded race pads, in which case I'll get the same noise as stepping on the brake pedal.

That is a good point. I should have qualified this is the first car I've owned with rear discs. Maybe e-brakes on only rear-drummed cars work differently than those with drum e-brakes on discs.

[svolo4]

I noticed this sound today on my car. (About 8500 miles) Never heard it before. Never drifted it using e-brake.
It's coming out of left rear whee very loud.. Right wheel has same sound but it's not nearly so loud as on left side, I couldn't hear it inside car, only outside.

This is not normal. I'm going to call to dealership tommorow and if they will refuse to fix it, I'll take a look myself.

[ToySub1946]

Former auto tech here.

I've owned about 60 cars. Never heard this clunk on any car other than this FRS I now own. It's had the clunk since it was new.

I expect someday I'll take the rear brakes apart and discover they are designed differently than any other car I've owned. Something must be different about them !

Wonder why no one on this thread has yet figured it out engineering wise ?


At this point I only know that rear brakes on this car are disc type, with a drum for the Ebrake...an odd idea for sure Toyota/Subaru.

[wheelhaus]

I have recently disassembled the e-brake while removing the bearings/hubs to install longer studs. The bearing assembly wasn't coming loose easily so I was going for any angle I could get... Anyways...

They seem to be a pretty standard affair, two long half cylindrical pads with a mechanical adjustment at the bottom, and a cable-actuated rocker lever that creates a wedging force between them. Theres 4 springs in various places holding the pads tightly to their seats and to each other. There are also two leaf springs on pins keeping the pads pulled snug against the back plate. There's really no way anything could make noise unless something was bent, broken, or loose. I imagine if a spring is broken or something of the sort that the pads could be moving around more than they should, possibly clunking or clacking when engaged.

[radroach]

I want to raise this thread because it's a good thread. Thank you @wheelhaus and @CSGmike for the good info.


If anybody is doing a rear drum replacement or fix, I'd love to see it documented. Especially if you have a fix for the clunk. I'd like to pull a e-brake skid every now and again on a rainy day but the clunk is concerning, even happens from a roll slower than 1mph.

[wheelhaus]

The rear disc is also the drum. The center section houses the drum pad/actuator assembly around the stub axle, and the pads press outward against the inside of the rotor’s center section. Pulling the disc off reveals the brake mechanisms in all their glory. The hardest part is wrestling the flat springs and their clips.

Doing ebrake slides is OK but I would expect it to wear out parts quicker. Since you’re causing waaaay more friction by using the pads as functional brake pads (instead of just parking) you will generate much more dust (which has nowhere to go). Get in there occasionally and clean them out and regrease moving/sliding parts and it should continue to function normally. Break something and parts should be nice and cheap, drum brakes have been around for ages and Subaru tends to share parts across models/years so supply should be aplenty.

Edit- and the clunk I expect is just the pads moving/rocking a bit from the sudden force, these pads are not locked in place like normal brakes, its a rather sloppy mechanical system that isnt designed for regular high stress use.

[ZionsWrath]

I never looked into it but surely someone makes a higher temp compound brake shoe?

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by ZionsWrath

I never looked into it but surely someone makes a higher temp compound brake shoe?

Absolutely no need. Note how little it takes to lock up the rear wheels. Think weight transfer. There's not much going on back there.

[x808drifter]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Absolutely no need. Note how little it takes to lock up the rear wheels. Think weight transfer. There's not much going on back there.

And anyone who uses's it regularly(read drifters) in the end go for dual caliper and a hydo.

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Absolutely no need. Note how little it takes to lock up the rear wheels. Think weight transfer. There's not much going on back there.

That's why your rear brakes are smaller than the front.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

That's why your rear brakes are smaller than the front.

The harder you brake, the less you need the rears.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by x808drifter

And anyone who uses's it regularly(read drifters) in the end go for dual caliper and a hydo.

That's only to get around the sloppy cable and mechanism.