Doesanyone know the procedure for adjusting the emergency brake? Mine just barely holds on level road and a gentle breeze!

 

lostnfound... the 84-87has the miniature drum brake inside the center of the brake disk. this is a simple design and should go easy for you.
1. Jack the car up and remove both rear tires then install 3 lug-nuts back on so the rotor's are tight. making sure that the adjustment holes line up.Then locate the equalizer bar.This is ware your emergency brake cables join together and have a adjustment. It should be along the axle housing.
2. Back off the equalizer just to ensure that everything is free to move.
3. rotate the rotor until you locate the adjuster sprocket and turn counter clockwise until the rotor can't rotate then back off about 8-10 clicks until rotor has no drag. if it still has drag back off a little more. Do the same on the other side.
4. pull the hand brake lever 2 clicks. you should have no drag at the brakes. take up the slack at the equalizer bar so both rear brakes are tight at 5 clicks. do a final check with hand brake off that there is no brake drag.
this is a simple system and should give you no big problems just think safe.
good luck

 

Before you pull the wheels, check to see if the 'E' brake cable is strenched. Sometimes all is needed is to tightened the center cable adjustment. If the cable adjustment doesn't work then do what RIC explained. Good Luck.

 

Thanks guys-I'll give it a try this weekend. I think the last time I did any brake work was about thirty years ago on a V6 Vega conversion. Now there's a car I'd like to find again! Talk about rare. Anyway I'm looking forward to get my hands dirty again. I just lost the time and patience over the years but hey, what else are toys for?