Using parking brake while launching

[cadunkle]

Re: Using parking brake while launching

Typical parking pawl... Reasonably beefy, but I wouldn't trust it. They can be rounded off or cracked after stress of forced disengagement while supporting the weight of the vehicle on steep inclines.

 

[Shizzy]

Re: Using parking brake while launching

looks like a 3/8" or so tooth holding your truck in place. Ill keep using my parking brake.

 

[captharv]

Re: Using parking brake while launching

I agree with the above about disabling safety equipment.
let me get this straight: You brought the truck in for rear seals and it left with the brake disabled on one side?
In my mind theis question comes up: Was the parking brake working before that "mechanic" worked on it? If so, its something He did.
Let alone a possible liability, this state has laws about a "registered" professional mechanic "modifying" safety quipment, or pollution stuff.
However, what do I know?

 

[lonemust]

Re: Using parking brake while launching

On automatics it is the parking pawl that WILL go bad if you continue to not use the parking brake on the incline. Not only at the boat launch but on any incline you park on. Sooner or later you will have a problem parking on any incline even as little as your driveway. Get the parking brakes fixed fast. Transmission jobs are not cheap.

 

[Begester]

Re: Using parking brake while launching

Does anyone have any tricks for reducing the "clunk" in the transmission when putting the tow vehicle back in drive? I've got an '07 Tahoe that does this almost every time at the ramp. It cant be good.

I use my parking brake every time I put the car in park when I tow. I see it as a safety precaution to those around us.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Using parking brake while launching

Does anyone have any tricks for reducing the "clunk" in the transmission when putting the tow vehicle back in drive? I've got an '07 Tahoe that does this almost every time at the ramp. It cant be good.

I use my parking brake every time I put the car in park when I tow. I see it as a safety precaution to those around us.

Set the parking brake BEFORE putting the truck in park...then when pulling back up the ramp put the trans in drive then release the parking brake...

 

[Silver Heels]

Re: Using parking brake while launching

To elaborate a little more on the situation, I took it to the Toyota dealership only because the independant mechanic I use and trust didn't have the bearing puller required to replace the rear seals. The dealership removed a spring and a short (6 in) piece of cable and gave me the parts in case I ever want to make the parking brake operational again. Tomorrow, the truck is going to be seen by my trusted mechanic and I will have him repair the parking brake. As far as a vehicle with faulty brakes leaving the door of a dealership, In Wisconsin, it is legal to do so, provided the customer signs a waiver that frees the dealership of responsibility, although I never signed said document this time, I have other times in the past. Wisconsin is also one of the few states that doesn't require insurance and has one of the loosest enforcement on drunk driving. Fortunately, that is changing. Some people suggested that I was negligent in authorizing this repair. Before everyone jumps to conclusions, I would like to point out that I was told that one side would work fine and that I did seek advice when I found out otherwise before the problem resulted in a mishap.

 

[Begester]

Re: Using parking brake while launching

Thanks Gary!

That was the opposite of what I was doing, I'll give that a shot.

 

[lonemust]

Re: Using parking brake while launching

Most parking brake setups work off one main cable from pedal or handle. That y's off to each side. Both sides mustt be hooked up and adjusted properly in order for it to work. In Indiana we're strict on dui's but not parking brakes. Here you can buy a car with the parking brake not working. It's an easy fix though

 

[Shrub88]

Re: Using parking brake while launching

Does anyone have any tricks for reducing the "clunk" in the transmission when putting the tow vehicle back in drive?

WHEN PARKING
1. Apply foot brake
2. Shift trans to Neutral
3. Apply parking brake
4. Release foot brake
5. Let parking brake absorb load
6. Shift trans to Park


WHEN LEAVING
1. Apply foot brake
2. Shift trans to desired gear
3. Release parking brake
4. Release foot brake

 

[cbavier]

Re: Using parking brake while launching

Yes, I always set the parking brake first, then put the transmission in Park. Do the opposite when getting under way (put transmission in drive, then release the brake).

I forgot the name of the part in the transmission that can go bad (fork or something), but repeatedly forcing the gear selector out of park with a big thunk isn't good.

It's rather curious how the dealer let the truck out without doing a complete job.

X-2 - Always set the parking brake first to relieve the stress off the transmission. And put it in gear before releasing the parking gear. Holding your foot on the Brake Pedal of course when setting and releasing the parking brake. You brake with the right foot and set the parking brake with the left.

Shrub has it all in order and correct.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Using parking brake while launching

In the past I've seen vehicles parked on such steep inclines that another vehicle was needed to push the parked vehicle slightly to relieve pressure on the parking pawl is it would not release. I've also seen the parking pawl pivot torn out of the transmission case. I've also seen the transmission case blown wide open because the owner had a tendency to throw it into park before the car had come to a complete stop. It will ratchet at faster speeds but just before the vehicle stops it will drop in and lock causing tremendous stress.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Using parking brake while launching

Yes, If you can imagine the old Tinker Toy wheel that had all the holes around the outside edge. The transmission has a like gear and there is a pin that drops into the holes when the gear slows enough to allow it to happen.
Meant to be completely stopped. That little pin is case hardened. That is all that holds a transmission in the park position. That also is where all the stress is on the transmission when parked on an incline. Though rare the pin has been known to break thus rendering the parking position useless.

 

[AussomeA]

Re: Using parking brake while launching

My dads old van would occasionally pop out of park when parked on an incline in our driveway. Nothing bad ever came of it, but it definitely influenced me to always set my brake especially on the ramp.

 

[lonemust]

Re: Using parking brake while launching

begester try setting the parking brake before putting tahoe in park. when you set the p/brake let up on brake pedal to make sure it don't roll first

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Using parking brake while launching

Does anyone have any tricks for reducing the "clunk" in the transmission when putting the tow vehicle back in drive? I've got an '07 Tahoe that does this almost every time at the ramp. It cant be good.

I use my parking brake every time I put the car in park when I tow. I see it as a safety precaution to those around us.

Use the method that somenone above described.

1. Back down ramp to desired depth
2. Set parking brake fully (Only works if all parking brakes are in good, functioning condition)
3. Put Automatic Transmission in Park.
4. Get out and launch boat
5. Get back in the vehicle and put transmission into a drive gear
6. Release Parking Brake

Done in this order with good parking brakes and you should not get the "clunk" noise when shifting gears.

I always do it this way and never have a problem. (Shallow or steep ramps)