I adjusted my parking brake last weekend. I had it the stealership to have the parking brake petal assembly replaced at 25,000 miles while under warrenty over three years ago and my parking brake was of almost no use before or after. I assumed (yeah I know) that the thing was just worthless. I read this thread or a similar one and went home and popped the plug out and started turning the star. I have one wheel that the brake no works on. I can make the truck move with it engaged but it doesn't like it.

Does anyone know which way to turn the star adjuster to tighten up the brakes, it seemed like I turned the thing forever in one direction and it never got tighter so I tried it in the other then checked the petal and it worked.

Thanks.

 

My 99 doesn't have a self adjuster. You have to pull the rubber plug on the backing plate to adjust the star wheel. Get the tire off the ground and turn it after turning the star wheel. listen/feel for when the shoes are starting to rub then backoff untill they just don't. Every now and then i'll drive 1/2 a block with my e-brake on lightly to clean the rust/scum/mud. Becuase these brakes only clamp to hold the truck from moving and never rub the surface of the drum like normal drum brake would when stopping they are prone to getting rusty/dirty and become uneffective. I took mine apart a couple years ago and cleaned them and have done the 1/2 block light scrub ever since. My e-brake works great even with my 8' camper on it. Well that was till last night when the self adjuster (for cable tension not shoe adjustment) broke in the pedal assembaly but other than that it works great now.

 

Thanks all who responded. This is a great thread. This should be bumped daily. Its a wonder how many people dont know about this. thanks Lug

 

Ok here is my story because I need some advice. I tried everything on this post even took the rear drum off for inspection. I returned it all back to factory specs and adjusted the star adjusters. I even did the backwards trick with no luck. My parking brake pedle still goes to the floor. What next? Replace the cable?

Thanks