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capriceman
05-25-03, 13:41
Todays lecture,
Why You should Use Your Emergencey/Parking Brake.
O.K. I know I sound like a condecending dick who can't even spell condecending,
But this is a constant sore subject with me.
Since she was 16, my sister, since I was 12 my Mom. I've given up on My Wife. (in all other car matters, She really is cooler than I let on.)
O.K., fairly short and sweet.
There is a position for a fith gear in a four speed automatic transmission. There is a Parking Pawl in place of a gear.
It looks pretty much like a tooth from a drive gear, a little thicker.
About 1/4" at the base, and about 1 or less cm at the obtuse end.
When You put Your car in park, that is the only thing keeping it from going anywhere.
All of the cars wieght of cource will rest on the tires.
But if You are parked on a hill, let's say 20% grade, (up or down),
You are putting about a ton of weight on that piece of steel that's 1/4 inch thick.
That Pawl is something that I personally want to be in good shape.
When I was 19 or so, I had a 1970 Crysler Newport. So big that the Navy would borrow the hood for carrier practice.
Came out of a turn one day, punched it, 383, the retard spring on the carb broke. :hairup:
Standing on the 4 wheel DRUM brakes, I was at 75 on road rated for 35.
I found park, the Pawl held, Back wheels locked, big skid, a little sliding, but I didn't do any property damnage or hurt anyone.
My Dad insisted on having it checked. New pawl was less than $1.00. Instalation was over $150.00.
Pads are cheaper.
Besides the very off chance of that happening, when the wieght of the car is resting on the pawl, it is applying a certin amount of torque to the transmission.
I can't say that I know for a fact that this is a bad thing for the tranny, but I don't see it being a good thing.
Just my two and a half cents.

Incitatus
05-28-03, 03:41
Ok, so what you're saying is: Don't trust the parking pawl to hold your car -Also use the parking brake. .....(?)

...especially with manual transmissions.
...and in places with hills (like Tennessee! oh, and South Carolina)

the only hills we have here are overpasses.

reverendstu
05-28-03, 21:06
Oh yeah, definitely on steep hills. Ever put her in park on a hill and have a bitch of a time getting back out of park when you tried to leave? That won't happen if you apply the e-brake BEFORE shifting into park.
When moving at more than a crawl, newer cars will just make a really horrible ratcheting noise when you put them into park, but won't stop. Don't ask me how I know that. lol.

capriceman
05-30-03, 23:44
Where I live in South Carolina we don't have any hills.(The Low Country).
When I first moved here, I thought that was a reference to the collective I.Q. of the City Govt.
The highest natural point within about 40 miles is 14ft. above sea level.
Any way, yes, I'm saying that You should not depend on the parking pawl to hold the car by itself.
Like seat belts and condoms. 99.9% of the time you're O.K.
But that .1%..............