Parking Brake

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Sep 2, 2006 | 11:12 AM

Olddog66

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Parking Brake

I have a 2001 F350 DRW and the parking brake will not hold the truck on a hill. I hate to spend the money to have the parking brake pads checked and I don’t want to pull the wheels and do it myself. I was wondering if I could just tighten the brake cable and see if there’s any life left in the parking brake pads or do I need to take it in?

Sep 2, 2006 | 11:21 AM

Green_Dually

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From: Connecticut

Without taking it apart you cant tell whats good or bad.You might have a leaking axle seal.As it could also just need some adjustment.
I just went thru this,but i had a leaking axle seal.

Sep 2, 2006 | 11:27 AM

Olddog66

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Plz don't say things like that your scaring the cash out of me.

Sep 2, 2006 | 11:50 AM

Rongold

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From: Putnam Valley, New York

Parking Brake

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olddog66

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As far as I know, there is no adjustment on the cable. The adjustment is inside the rear rotor. The parking brake shoes should not wear, unless you are in the habit of putting the parking brake on while you are coming to a stop, or you drive off with the parking brake on. Sometimes what happens is that the friction material unglues itself from the actual metal shoe--that's a direct result of putting the brake on while you are coming to a stop. Those shoes are made to HOLD the truck from moving, not STOP the truck from moving. Unfortunately, the only way you can check it out is by removing the wheels, caliper, and then the rotor.

RON

Sep 2, 2006 | 11:56 AM

Green_Dually

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From: Connecticut

You can tighten the e-brake.There is a rubber plug on the rear backing plate (you dont need to remove the wheel for this),if you pull it off you will see the adjuster.Turn it one way or the other to tight,just dont go to tight.You will need to do both sides.
The E-brake cable streches some,after many uses.

But that wasent the problem in my case tho.I hope it is an easy fix for ya.

Oct 1, 2006 | 09:56 AM

samiller

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From: South Jersey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olddog66

I found this thread in a search for others with this issue. FWIW, I live in South Jersey, which is not particularly noted for its hills ;-> and my parking brake (2004 F250 V10 6SPD CC LB) has *never* adequately held my truck on any incline from day one. I always use Low or Reverse gear when parked (in addition to the pb) depending on the direction of the inline. I also carry 2 wheel chocks in case I ever need to park on a real hill. I have driven off with the brake engaged more than once, which can't have helped, but it was like this from the dealer's lot. Just don't want to see you spend money that you seem to be reluctant to part with unless there is a real prospect of solving your problem.

-Scott