When I try to apply the park brake it comes back up. On the way back up it clicks like it's slipping off a gear that should lock it in place. With one foot holding the park brake all the way down and pressing on the accelerator with the other foot park brake wont hold. I looked under and I can see the cables moving about 1/2" in and out of there casing? , while pressing on the park brake. I can here a noise on each rear drum while pressing down on the park brake. It seems a little harder harder to press down on the park brake, I need fixed to pass state inspection. Any help would be helpful.
mike

 

Well, you need to first determine if the problem is the actuator (foot pedal) or a seized cable. Disconnecting the cable system at the equalizer is where to start, then pull on each rear cable to be sure it moves freely. If not replace the sticking cable. They should move more than 1/2". If they check out then have a look at the actuator. It could be bad or the cable could have jumped off it's track. If at some point the rear cables got water in them and froze applied then it's possible the cable is off track and just needs putting back on.

 

Thanks, I replaced the actuator. I can hear the clicking now on the way down. It goes all the way down but now there is to much slack. Doesn't the rear wheel tighten up the slack by itself. Maybe the adjuster is rusted?

 

Yes there is a self adjuster in the rear brake assemblies and yes they frequently are corroded. Pull the drums, look for signs of rust. The adjusters can be removed, disassembled, cleaned, lubed, reassembled and re-installed in ~30 minutes.

 

I noticed a few days ago the rear brake shoes were rubbing on the drums. If I adjust the e brake, won't it move the shoes so the drum won't turn anymore? I think there's about 1" or more of play in the cable, that's with the e brake pedal to the floor. What did i miss? Thanks again

 

You need to pull the drums and inspect the mechanisms, make sure the park brake cables are retracted all the way and then adjust the star wheel by hand until you can't move the drums and back it off a little. If there is still slack in the cables after that you may have the wrong intermediate cable on the truck or the equalizer needs some adjustment.