2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Parking Brake Fix! How to post photos?

[LSchulz]

Bingo!

Whether you believe in using it or not, engine compression will not help if the transmission slips out of gear somehow.

Not to mention, leaving it in gear doesn't help keep the truck from moving a whole lot if it's running...

 

[rkressg]

Just curious, but does any body park with their wheels jammed against the curb? I live in Pittsburgh, and I will almost guarantee you will almost always park on a fairly steep hill.

I always leave it in 1 or 2 (depending on which way my hand was moving when I shut off the engine). If it is warm out, I set the parking brake, but not always, and I jam the wheel into the curb.

I do wish these trucks had better parking brakes, but they don't.

 

[DieselDoghouse]

Don't know what started all the furor and I should butt out (I won't) as to parking brake, no parking brake—remember at least here in MA parking bakres are required for passenger and medium duty vehicles to pass inspection: no brakey, no stickey!!

 

[Blanco]

Thanks for this helpful post, this is exactly what seems to be my problem with my '97 3500.

 

[Blanco]

While re-reading this thread I've found the whole idea of only using the manual trans in gear to park silly.

I've bone it for years, but never by choice.

Only because the parking brake did not work.

In my '85 Mustang it was never an issue & even in my current '97 diesel Ram 3500 dually 4x4 with a 5 speed had it been an issue while it was just a basic truck the trans held on hills & etc.

But now I've added the weight of this Lance camper.
#ad


& even then I never noticed to many issues till I took my boat to the lake, & while I jumped out of the truck leaving the trans in 1st, to get the boat tied to the dock ( Boat ramps can be sorta steep ) the truck stated to slowly start to sorta move & I kept thinking I better hurry being if it lets go this could be really bad me behind my truck unhooking my boat & Bang the camper , truck trailer & me all crashed into the water at the dock.

I MUST REPAIR my parking brake.

Bummer is I'm not so mechanically inclined.

 

[pgleavitt]

Just completed this mod to the E-brake pedal. Now it works as well as my 2000 truck. I will also note that I tacked the end of the bolt to the plate it touches on the bottom and also the top center point of the round plate that the spring winds up onto. While drilling the 1/4" hole the plate or large washer started to rotate. As shown in the picture, go about 90* from the original tab that holds the inner part of the spring and you will get about the right spring tension to return the pedal to the stop. Thanks to the original post author.

 

[Blanco]

After messing around with it some more I discovered it was the Brake release mechanism was sticking in the release position & so of course the Brake would never hold.

Now I just reach down to un-stick the linkage & it hold perfectly.

 

[emmustwheel]

Hello,

I just purchased a 1995 Dodge 5spd, and the parking brake has issues very similar to what is described here. You can set the brake and it will "pop" or release on its own.

I would like to be able to let the truck warm up and idle at times without having to chock the wheels.

Does this help with the parking brake problem?

Are there any updates since the photos where taken? Or tips?

Thanks!

 

[kcv67]

Scott I just did this modification today thanks for the write up and pictures.

I had been having problems with the parking brake not staying on and then not being sure if it was on or not.

Thank you

Casey

 

[DaveZ]

I can not see any pictures for the fix. Can somebody help out?

 

[GAmes]

I have the pictures, but you will have to match them to the narrative.