2002 hand brake boot

[jt2233]

I have replaced the hand brake boot/ cover twice, the first & second time the clips broke, and the boot had a rip in it. Has anyone else had this problem, and how have you prevented it from happening again.

[jimvit1]

Re: 2002 hand brake boot

I have just lately noticed that the hole boot would come up with the hand brake. I looked and it looks like a tab has broken off. I have to confess that I seldon use the hand brake. so it could have been like that for some time.

[silver05]

Re: 2002 hand brake boot

The clips on mine are broken too. Haven't figured out a fix for it yet. How did you fix yours yourself or dealer?

[MATBird]

Re: 2002 hand brake boot

Using the search function, you'll find many had this problem:
http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...ght=brake+boot
http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...ncy+brake+boot
http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...ake+boot+loose

Read this fix:

[jt2233]

Re: 2002 hand brake boot

Silver 05 I had the dealer replace it at my expense around $175.00. They have ordered another one no cost to me. From what I have read here it seems it's going to be a recurring problem. I guess I will have to be more careful, or not set the brake at all.
Thank you all for your help

[JAB02LHS]

Re: 2002 hand brake boot

. I guess I will have to be more careful, or not set the brake at all.

BRAKES! WE DON'T NEED NO STINKEN BRAKES!

I have never used mine, was only used once when I let my nephew take it for a ride.

[ljtbird]

Re: 2002 hand brake boot

I had to replace my clips. Whole boot would come up. ( 03 Tourch Red).Dealer replaced the clips and did not charge.

[jerrym3]

Re: 2002 hand brake boot

Mine was replaced under warranty and is broken again.

Must be a really weak design, because I hardly ever use the handbrake.

[SixPac]

Re: 2002 hand brake boot

Never have used the hand brake.

[FUN X 3]

Re: 2002 hand brake boot

Use the hand brake every time I park the car, daily driver with 88,000+ miles, no problems, at least none that I have noticed. I won't look closely now either, LOL, if I haven't noticed any problem by now, must be okay by me.

[jt2233]

Re: 2002 hand brake boot

Ok, I have another question, if you don't set the hand brake, and you place the car in Park, isn't the car sitting on the transmission, or the (pale) sp. of the transmission. I have been told that is not good for the transmission. So help me here.

Thanks

[JAB02LHS]

Re: 2002 hand brake boot

Ok, I have another question, if you don't set the hand brake, and you place the car in Park, isn't the car sitting on the transmission, or the (pale) sp. of the transmission. I have been told that is not good for the transmission. So help me here.Thanks

40 years of driving automatics and never use the parking brake
[maybe on a steep hill to keep the shifter from locking up]
and have never broke a transmission or pawl!

[joe166]

Re: 2002 hand brake boot

Ok, I have another question, if you don't set the hand brake, and you place the car in Park, isn't the car sitting on the transmission, or the (pale) sp. of the transmission. I have been told that is not good for the transmission. So help me here.

Thanks

I have to say that this is one of the most prevalent urban myths. I have never had a failure of my automatic transmission, have never used the parking brake and have never heard of anyone else having the problem either. I suspect we would have heard of it from someone we know as I don't know too many people who use the emergency brake while parked.

[jt2233]

Re: 2002 hand brake boot

Thanks joe166

[jerrym3]

Re: 2002 hand brake boot

With all my cars, I use the emergency brake on steep grades only.

I've noticed that on a steep grade, if I don't set the emergency brake, when I take the car out of Park, I hear a metallic clunking sound. I don't know the size of the Park "pawl", but it has to support a lot of weight if the emergency brake isn't used on steep hills.

An ounce of prevention, I guess.........