Silly question but, does someone have a picture of where to adjust the parking brake on a 2005 Expedition? I have done this on a few other vehicles and it was very self explanatory. I cannot seem to locate it on my expedition. there is zero adjusting bolts I can find looking down the cable.

 

I have a 2000 and just replaced both ebrake cables because the pedal went to the floor when I tried to use it; turns out it had broken at the connection on the driver brake actuator. I never found an adjuster anywhere on the cables, except on the ebrake assembly itself (adjusting star bolt that you access through the back of the rear brake backing plates.) Not sure if this applies to 2005 or not. Check the cable, then adjust at the brake itself.

 

Look on the inner side of the fram rail below the driver's side B-pillar.

That is where the equalizer is located and, if there's to be any adjustment to be made, will be the likely location of the adjuster.

Steve

 

Thank you both for the tips. I will look into it again today, as for the equalizer, I think you are referring to the junction where the back brake cables meet the one that go to the parking brake pedal, there is NO adjustment there. I'm starting to think this might have to be adjusted at the rear brakes them selves.

vze2sgxa,
Are you referring to the back plate under the dash by the gas pedal? The actual park brake it self will have an adjustment?

 

He's referring to the backing plate down at each rear wheel. There is a slot that you reach into with a brake spoon and turn a star wheel to adjust the e-brake shoes. They adjust just like rear drum brakes.

 

Oh ok, so I might have to take this to the dealer just to have it adjusted?

 

No it's a fairly simple task that's done with the most basic of tools.

Including putting the rear end up on jack stands, I've done the adjustment to both sides in under 10 minutes.

 

Do you happen to have a step by step you could post? I don't need any special tools you say? Whats a brake spoon? Can I eat cereal with it after the brake job in done? LOL

Thank you for the help so far, sounds like the newer rigs arnt as simple like the older ones.

 

You just pull the small rubber plug off and you can adjust it by turning the star nut with a screw driver. What you are doing is adjusting the small ebrake shoes outward so they get closer to the drum face (without actually touching it). I'm on my second set of ebrake shoes in just over 100k, they are really easy to replace if you need to do it. I just replaced them because I had not actually had the chance to inspect them in 50k miles, and they were warn down, even though I don't use that brake very much. I will tell you that there is an enormous potential for corrosion and rust in the rear ebrak shoes and connecting/actuating mechanisms. I suspected mine were actually bound up (rusted open), which is what I believe caused my cable to corrode and brake. Anyway, overhauling the ebrakes myself did it for me. You don't even need to replace the rotor (the ebrakes are inside the drum of the disc brake rotor. Might want to just check yours out. At a minimum, you can apply a little bit of white grease on the surfaces where the ebrake shoes contact the backing plate, which will ensure freedom of movement. Hope that helps.

 

great thank you for all the help, so when I tighten the star bolt does that tighten both sides or do I have to do that on each side?

 

You have to do each side. You spin the wheel while adjusting it until you get a slight drag, then back off the adjustment until the drag stops. Do the same thing to the other side. Oh and here is what a brake spoon looks like.

 

Great thank you so much, so do I need the brake spoon to do the job still? SOunds like I just need to get the weight off the tires and do what you said. Not sure if this job takes the spoon or not.

Thank you again

 

You can use a screwdriver to adjust the brakes. I prefer a brake spoon myself and they are not expensive at all.

 

Ok I have been out in the garage for like 30 mins, I cannot locate what you are talking about to adjust. All I see that has star bolts is when you take the little caps off on the part that holds the brake on. Maybe I'm looking at the wrong past, do you have a picture of what In looking for? I would love to get this done tonight as the rig is now on jack stands

Thank you

 

The adjuster is #5 in this picture.