2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Confused, parking brake adjustment procedure.

[jmur]

2001 RAM HD 4x4

This is a truck that I bought used. The parking brake has not been working. I've just performed a 1st class rear brake job, new rotor/drums, pads, shoes and calipers. The star wheels have been adjusted to the point of drag and then backed off a few clicks. I have the official 2001 service manual and am trying to follow the Cable Tensioner Adjustment procedure, section 5-40 and figure 71. The part about marking the tensioner rod and then tightening the adjuster nut until the mark is no longer visible totally baffles me. The tensioner rod is ridged and I don't understand how it can move. Can one of you experts help me out with a clearer explanation?

Thanks

Jeff

 

[B.G. Smith]

That is kinda keavy, I'm looking at a 99 manual, also have picture of 98 tensioner, all the same. There has to be a spring of some type on the threaded rod inside the tensioner for it to work like that. You are supposed to set the parking brake, tighten the nut till most of the slack is out of cables, mark the tensioner rod 1/4" from the edge of the tensioner, tighten the nut until the mark is even with the edge of the tensioner (you are compressing the spring inside the tensioner 1/4"). Release parking brake and make sure the rear wheels still turn frely. bg

 

[jmur]

Thanks for your reply, bg. There's no spring in the tensioner, just the tensioner rod bent around a pin. There's not even a 1/4" of slop. I just don't get it.

 

[wilsonsh]

Dunno if you got this fixed or not but I had the same problem when I bought my 02 used. I left the cable alone and just adjusted the star nuts until I liked the position of the parking brake pedal when it was set.

 

[MAllen]

which direction are you supposed to turn them to make them tighter/ looser?

 

[wilsonsh]

As you are standing at the rear of the truck looking forward adjust the star nut counter-clockwise to tighten the brake.

I ran it all the way until it was snug and backed it off a bit according to where I like the pedel when the brake is set. Took me a few trips to the front setting and re-adjusting the position until I got it right.