Parking Brake Adjustment

[DennyDay]

Just discovered my parking brake doesn't hold, Any suggestions for adjusting? It is an '06 w/disk brakes and has a small drum at each rear wheel.

I've replaced the disc pads on the rear but nerver had to do the emergency brake. I have 110k miles on the truck.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

There's a hard to reach star wheel on the backing plate that can be adjusted. There is a special tool availible or you could sacrafice a flat tip screwdriver and make your own.



The cable that actuates the e-brake shoe has some adjustment also.



If that doesn't help, you'll have to disasemble the rear and check to see if the e-brake shoes are worn out. I wore out a set by stupildy driving to town with the e-brake set. Duh.

 

[jelag]

There are a set of brake shoes inside the rear rotors... these shoes should self adjust, but often we don't back up in a way that they can self adjust so the simplest way is to take a brake spoon or screw driver and adjust them up... a slot in the backing plate!!

There is a common adjustment where the parking brake single cable changes into two cables, with one cable going to each wheel... its also suitable to adjust up this adjustment as well... As I remember this is a 9/16? wrench and you adjust the turnbuckle so that the cables become tighter...

If your a high mileage truck and use your e-brake often, or have left them on there is a chance that you've worn out the shoes and the truck needs to come apart to replace the shoes. Wheels, caliper, rotor need to be removed to expose the shoes for replacement...

Hope this helps...

 

[DennyDay]

Thanks, Guys - - I'll give it a try tomorrow when I get off work.

 

[SierraRam]

I use my e brake all the time and sl;owly they came out of adjustment. Just like stated there is a slot with a rubber plug that you insert the adjusting tool to ratchet the star wheel. Just like old drum brakes. It did not take a lot of adjustment to get mine back.

 

[GCroyle]

Com'n Guys, give me a break.



My recirc door failed this week, talked my self into a coolant at ~$18/gal X4 and hose exchange and now you guys are giving me the suff to adj my parking brake, which it needs. And the truck needs washed.



Time for some quality time with my truck.



Oh I forgot, its getting new glass from a stone chip.

 

[DennyDay]

Com'n Guys, give me a break.



My recirc door failed this week, talked my self into a coolant at ~$18/gal X4 and hose exchange and now you guys are giving me the suff to adj my parking brake, which it needs. And the truck needs washed.



Time for some quality time with my truck.



Oh I forgot, its getting new glass from a stone chip.

Jeez -- -- -- Forgive me all to hell for asking simple question - - - things sure have changed around here!

 

[GCroyle]

C. D. Day,



Update, windshield is replaced and the recirc door is replaced too, just a new door for now. Got some of the debris cleaned out, things are looking up.



Parking brake here we come!



Next week coolant.

 

[GCroyle]

There's a hard to reach star wheel on the backing plate that can be adjusted. There is a special tool availible or you could sacrafice a flat tip screwdriver and make your own.

2nd what JHawes states. The pass side not too bad, old fashioned brake adjuster tool worked fine, BUT the drivers side is the minor PITA. The adj slot is on TOP of the backing plate 12:00 position not 6:00. Removed plug, get a nice small flashlight, find the star wheel. I used my largest straight bladed jewlers type screwdriver. Seeing the star wheel helped alot. Just restricted access. Might pull the DS rotor later, not too sure about how much brake I have left on that side, its all good.

 

[Slow Six]

I sacrificed an adjusting tool by cutting it in half so that it is short enough to get in the left side.