Parking brake assembly adjustment

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Mar 31, 2006 | 02:20 PM

basstardo

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 1,007

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From: Newport News

Parking brake assembly adjustment

Anybody know if you can adjust the parking brake assembly next to the PCM? The actual pedal itself. It seems like the cable is just about 2 inches too long. I have an inspection due today and if I push the parking brake pedal all the way down it just barely tightens up and doesn't even pull the cable to set the parking brake. If I pull the cable underneath the truck it seems like something needs to be adjusted in there to allow it to pull tight.

Any ideas? I'm under the gun here...

Mar 31, 2006 | 02:52 PM

rwilimo

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Aug 2005

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From: NJ

Are you aware that the parking brake is a separate set of drum brakes inside of the rotor? You should check to see if 1 of the shoes separated from the backing. If the shoes are o.k. they can be adjusted similar to how conventional drum brakes are. If you have as much slack as you say, I suspect shoe failure.

Mar 31, 2006 | 03:14 PM

basstardo

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Laughing Gas

Joined: Apr 2002

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From: Newport News

I adjusted the shoes as close as I could get and they're fine, not even worn really. I heard something pop about a month ago when I went to apply the brake, and it's been loose like that ever since. It's almost like something let loose with the pedal itself. I thought the cable may have popped loose, but it's fine. I took it all out and looked around, but there's so many springs and things, and I didn't see a way to adjust anything.

I may get it good enough to pass inspection, and then take it to a dealer and have them take a look.

Mar 31, 2006 | 03:18 PM

krewat

FTE Leadership Emeritus

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From: Long Island USA

I've never had anyone check my parking brake for a state inspection, at least in NY.

It's a "parking brake" not an "emergency brake", at least in the Superdutys.

Mar 31, 2006 | 03:20 PM

basstardo

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 1,007

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From: Newport News

Parking brake, e-brake...same thing here. VA just wants it to work when you push the pedal down. I managed to get it to where when I push the pedal down it will hold the truck on an incline...which is good enough for the inspection people.

Thanks y'all.

Mar 31, 2006 | 04:22 PM

ryaneverk2

Logistics Pro

Joined: Mar 2004

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Here's how to tighten the parking brake, if you'd like to fix it up all the way:

post by SmokeyWren on TDS

The parking brake is an old-fashioned drum brake up inside the rear rotors. It's called a "drum-in-hat" rotor.

The only adjustment available is to adjust the drum brake shoes.

Look on the back side of the hub and you'll see a rubber plug. Remove that plug and look inside and you'll see the "star adjuster wheel". Turn that star adjuster until it's tight, then back off only until the wheel will rotate freely.

Shadetree mechanics can "get by" using a flat-blade screwdriver to turn the star adjuster. But it's fairly easy to do with a special brake adjusting tool - available for only a couple of bucks from almost any auto parts store.

Here are the words from the workshop manual:

Quote:
Parking Brake Shoe and Lining Adjustment
• Raise and support the vehicle.
• Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
• Remove the brake adjusting hole cover from the backing plate.
• Turn the brake adjuster screw to expand the parking brake shoe and linings until they drag against the drum-in-hat rotor.
• Back off the brake adjuster screw until no drag is evident.

Mar 31, 2006 | 04:42 PM

krewat

FTE Leadership Emeritus

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 42,561

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From: Long Island USA

Good post ryaneverk2!!!

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Mar 31, 2006 | 08:18 PM

krewat

FTE Leadership Emeritus

Joined: Jul 2002

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From: Long Island USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryaneverk2

Thanks, Art.

Your procedure sounds just like what I would do with the front drum brakes on my '74 highboy... after my brother did away with the auto-adjusters

I put autos back on later.. and still had to adjust them.

Apr 1, 2006 | 01:53 AM

#10

ryaneverk2

Logistics Pro

Joined: Mar 2004

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I think some vehicles have parking brakes that tighten up when you drive in reverse... too bad our trucks don't. I still need to tighten mine up using the procedure.

PS - that info comes from SmokeyWren on TDS... I just saved it for future reference on my comp. Figured it'd come in handy.

Apr 1, 2006 | 10:42 AM

#11

krewat

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Joined: Jul 2002

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From: Long Island USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryaneverk2

I think some vehicles have parking brakes that tighten up when you drive in reverse... too bad our trucks don't. I still need to tighten mine up using the procedure.

The good thing is the parking brake on the SD's doesn't use the regular brakes.

So, the shoes don't ever wear out. If your's are, stop applying it while you're moving