Emergency Brake adjustment/servicing?

[cwbyinjeep]

I've searched multiple terms only to come up with nothing relating to the adjustment or servicing of the emergency brakes. I have right at 42k on my 03 3500DRW and the emergency brake just goes to the floor. I have a heavy left foot and figured I probably just stretched the cable and it should be easy to adjust. However playing around under the truck tonight I adjusted what I thought was the adjuster and now I have a much stiffer emergency brake, but still no actually stopping of the truck on the slightest of grades. The adjuster (I am assuming on the driver's side outside of frame) confused the hell out of me in how it would adjust anything, but its the only adjustment I can find. Could the emergency brake shoes be toast already? I have only drove off with them maybe once or twice and realized it 1/2 mile down the road (darn torquey cummins)

 

[rbattelle]

There is an adjustment procedure in the manual. It says to fully apply the parking brake and leave it applied during adjustment. Then:



1. Mark the tensioner rod 1/4" from the edge of the tensioner

2. Tighten the adjusting nut until the mark you made in step 1 is not visible



Now, the manual issues a warning that the tension should never be adjusted unless a cable or the tensioner itself has been replaced. So it's odd that you require adjustment. It implies to me that something's not right in the parking brake mechanism (possible worn out pads?).



Ryan

 

[JHardwick]

They adjust up like any ole drum brake.