[Roadsters] Can you help diagnose a brake problem?

[DickSchnei at aol.com]

I just bought a 1969 2000 a few weeks ago and I have been lurking here  since 
then.  I do not have any help for you on this, but have a very  similar 
problem.  :-(  My roadster has no parking brake function at  all.  It turns out 
that the previous owner had replaced the rear brakes  with 240Z brakes, and now 
the parts that the parking brake cable connects to are  gone.  I have found 
places that sell rear brake drums, etc. but have had no  luck in finding the 
parts I need.  There must be some type of lever that  attaches the cables to the 
rear cylinder parts.  
 
Do any of you know of a source for Datsun rear brake parts other than the  
typical brake kits?  I suspect I need something for a 240Z Datsun.
 
I bought a new 1970 2000 roadster in Okinawa while in the US Air Force  and 
brought it back with me.  I drove that car for 15 years before it got  totaled 
when parked in front of my house by a hit and run driver.  I have  regretted 
not fixing that car for 23 years and now am like a kid again with this  "new" 
car.  I used the parking brake, back then, a lot and it is a problem  for me 
now that this car has no parking brake.
 
Hopefully, someone will have the answer for both of us.
 
Thanks,
 
Dick Schneiders
 
 
In a message dated 8/8/2008 6:13:25 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  
jim at seattle-attorney.com writes:

I  brought my '70 2000 in to the brake shop because the parking brake 
would  no longer hold if I applied in on a hill (and I've got a gnarly 
one  between office and home).

Shop says I need rear brakes.   Fine.

They complete the job and say that they did a weld on the brake  cable 
(?).  I pick the car up, and it seems to drive okay until I try  to use 
the parking brake on a hill.  It wouldn't hold, and there's  also a 
rhythmic scrape from the rear right drum.  Owner says they may  need to 
tack a rod on to brace whatever weld they did.

I take it  back for round two.  They can't figure it out.  Gotta leave it  
for a day.

I call the next day, they say "all done, just needed  adjustment."

On the way home...  You guessed it!  I  *gingerly* apply the brake on a 
slight incline.  It does NOT  hold.  There was never a "give" or a sign 
that any weld or repair  gave way.  IMMEDIATELY after attempting to set 
the brake, the  rhythmic scraping returns!

Any clues?  My brake shop doesn't seem  to have one.  Now I'm without my 
car for the weekend.

Thanks  in advance,
Jim (who quit messing with brakes years ago, and has forgotten  what 
little he knew back then)







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