park brake issues

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 23, 2017 | 02:31 PM

Billy D. Scott

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Feb 2016

Posts: 21

Likes: 1

park brake issues

The park brake in my 1994 E350 is useless. I think the issue is cable stretch. I inspected the pedal assembly and I noticed that the "self adjusting" ratchet is at its max, and still there is barely any drum/shoe contact with the pedal to the floor.

If I replace the two rearmost cables/housings, will this solve the cable stretch problem? I'd hate to go through the hassle and parts cost to be left with no improvement. And changing the cable within the pedal assembly looks like a nightmare.

Seems like I could easily remove the steel coupler between the first and intermediate cable and use some cable clamps for adjustment to take up the slack.

Someone has done this, I'm sure?

Feb 23, 2017 | 04:09 PM

vettex2

Posting Guru

Joined: Apr 2014

Posts: 2,196

Likes: 5

From: N Ca.

w/o actually seeing what you have....
get a couple of nuts and cut a slot in them and use them as spacers on the end of the cable to see if that works before you go buying parts

Feb 24, 2017 | 04:02 AM

Im50fast

Cargo Master

Joined: Apr 2013

Posts: 3,087

Likes: 24

From: Central Florida

I don't believe the cable could have stretched.

I bet your rear brakes need service.

Feb 24, 2017 | 11:07 AM

vettex2

Posting Guru

Joined: Apr 2014

Posts: 2,196

Likes: 5

From: N Ca.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Im50fast

I don't believe the cable could have stretched.

I bet your rear brakes need service.

it would be rare but not impossible
numerous things could be wrong

Feb 24, 2017 | 11:38 AM

Billy D. Scott

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Feb 2016

Posts: 21

Likes: 1

My rear brakes are all new (rotors, shoes, hardware, etc.) It looks peachy back there.

The park brake problem existed prior to the new brakes.

I'm just thinking that the 20 feet of cable could have stretched an inch or so, and the cable housings compressed some, enough to consume the range of auto adjustment in the pedal assembly.

I've read a lot of complaints about bad park brakes in these vans, but I never seem to find a complete answer. I'm at about 8000 lbs, and I NEED a good park brake...

Feb 25, 2017 | 12:05 PM

Im50fast

Cargo Master

Joined: Apr 2013

Posts: 3,087

Likes: 24

From: Central Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy D. Scott

i've driven almost 1,000,000 miles in my lifetime and I have never used the parking break to park, nor for an emergency. Never. Stick shift/ automatic - doesn't matter.

I grew up in the Rust Belt where everyone was afraid to use a parking brake because the brake would commonly not release upon using it.

Anyway: no offense- do what you like. I just felt the need to share. Let us know what you find.

Mar 1, 2017 | 02:23 PM

Billy D. Scott

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Feb 2016

Posts: 21

Likes: 1

Quote:

Originally Posted by vettex2

it would be rare but not impossible
numerous things could be wrong

You're right. The piece that pushes the forward pads to set the park brake has sheared off the the top of the pads (on both sides). Either the wrong pads were installed or these are just bad pads. Working on a warranty claim, from out of state, not fun.