Why it is NOT possible
to replace a 1988-93 style park brake lever with one from a 94+ car
The park brake lever in
1988-93 W-body cars is a poor design. Although the park brake is designed to
hold the car when parked, sometimes the park brake can also come in handy during
emergency situations for example, if the brake hydraulic system should somehow
fail. The "pump-to-set" park brake mechanism makes the park brake
unsuitable for anything other than parking. It is also very prone to failure.
Most people have reported that their park brake levers will not set the park
brake, even when pumped repeatedly.
Beginning model year 1994,
all W-body cars (with the exception of the Lumina) were equipped with a new
style of park brake lever. This park brake lever requires only one push to set
the brake, and another push to release it. This is a much simpler design, is
much less prone to failure, and can be used in an emergency situation
if desired.
Many people have suggested
trying install this newer style park brake lever assembly into a 1988-93 W-body
car. Unfortunately, this is not possible. The mounting holes are in totally
different locations. The two park brake mechanisms do not resemble each other
at all. I am not too sure what was changed in the 94+ cars that makes the mounting
locations different. Just looking at how it mounts, it appears as though maybe
a piece of sheetmetal was added to the interior of the car that isn't found
in 1988-93 cars.
See the pictures below and
you'll see what I mean about them being very different! (click images to enlarge)
Rear means
towards the rear of the car. Front means towards the front of the car.
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Left
side view (fender side).
Left: 1988-93 lever assembly
Right: 1994-99 lever assembly |
Rear/Left
side view (fender side).
Left: 1988-93 lever assembly
Right: 1994-99 lever assembly |
Front/Left
side view (fender side).
Left: 1988-93 lever assembly
Right: 1994-99 lever assembly |
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Top/Left
side view (fender side).
Left: 1994-99 lever assembly
Right: 1988-93 lever assembly |
Front/Right side view (inside).
Left: 88-93 lever assembly
Right: 94-99 lever assembly |
Rear/Right
side view (inside).
Left: 88-93 lever assembly
Right: 94-99 lever assembly |
Well there you have it!
If anyone with a machine
shop can come up with a mounting adapter, make two and send me one!
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W-Body Page
