Hey all...I feel like I'm losing my mind and I just need someone to confirm WTH is going on. I just spent over 2 hours getting the blanking parking brake shoes on, on the driver side. The TRQ video said put the notched side towards the front of the truck. He was working on the PASSENGER side rear, and I didn't even think that maybe it's reversed on the driver's side. It sure looks like I have it in backwards, been trying and trying to figure out WTH is going on because it sure looks like the shoes are max extended, like the brake is WAY on when ofc it should not be. The ONLY thing I can think of is that I *DO* in fact need to take all that apart and switch the lever so it is with the notched side BACK on the driver's side. I think I already know the answer, and it is too terrible to even contemplate...it doesn't help that even the tech article on here shows the guy working on the right rear so in my defense, everywhere I could find how-to info showed the passenger side not the driver's side. Please let me know WTH is going on...thanks all.

Here is how I have it installed on the driver's side: (it sure looks like it's fully extended...?)


You can see if you look closely, the top of the right shoe is not even seated on the top 'pin' because it is so pushed out:


Here is a clear look as to how the lever is installed on this driver's side:


WHen the parking brake is applied, the lever should pull backwards, and when it does, it now seems that that action would cause the brake to go *IN*....???

Here is what it looks like on the back side: the lever is all the way forward, and unless I'm nuts, I would imagine applying the parking brake would pull that lever back, and I think with the lever installed the way it currently is, that would cause the brake to go IN...? I have a very bad feeling about this...




Here is how it probably should have gone in on the driver's side, if I hadn't gotten bad information, or at least not CLEAR information that the lever orientation should be f ing installed DIFFERENTLY on the driver's side vs passenger side:


This, I think, would make the gap at the top of the shoes narrow, and then when the parking brake is applied, it would pull backwards like this:

which would then spread the shoes.

Please confirm that I'm f-ed please. Pretty sure I am.

I am beyond furious because I am pretty sure I now know the answer....???

 

no one??? wow that's surprising.

took it all apart AND put it back together in 40 min. Would have been 38 min but had to take breaks for swearing.

Yes the notch in the parking brake lever goes TOWARD THE BACK on the DRIVER'S SIDE. If someone could update the tech article on this, like somehow on that first page, this would save other people from a lot of pain and misery.

 

Glad you got it sorted out, I have run into similar situations myself so I try to remember to take some photos before I start most projects, “try”being the operative word. As usually the case I forget to do it when I run into a problem. Good luck as you continue with the project.