2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission parking brake popped off today

[CumminsPower98]

Today my parking break popped off and the truck began to roll down a long driveway. Luckily I was walking back to the truck and was within 20-30 feet when I heard it go so I was able to run and jump in just in time to arrest its get away! Funny thing is I was even thinking to my self how it would suck if it failed. Years ago when I used to be on these forums a lot I saw others talking of their brakes popping off but don't remember if there were any sure fixes at the time. This is the first time this has happened to me. The truck has 412k miles. Is there anyone here who knows some about this problem? Replace mechanism, or a fix to what's there? If I remember right this might be more of a design flaw than wear.

 

[JR]

Glad you caught it in time!
I wasn't so fortunate...
I was at the local steel supply company one day picking up a load of 3" pipe. We had a late 70's F600 with a long bed, the truck was dead from sitting for a few weeks so when I went in to the store to pay for the order I left the truck running in neutral with the brake set. While I was in the store the cable broke and the truck took off across the parking lot backwards. It went 100 feet before the dovetail ramped up on the hood of a new 4runner and shattered the windshield. The owner of the 4runner was even less impressed when I had to put the truck in low range to get it off the hood. Talk about feeling small... .

 

[MLee]

Today my parking break popped off and the truck began to roll down a long driveway. Luckily I was walking back to the truck and was within 20-30 feet when I heard it go so I was able to run and jump in just in time to arrest its get away! Funny thing is I was even thinking to my self how it would suck if it failed. Years ago when I used to be on these forums a lot I saw others talking of their brakes popping off but don't remember if there were any sure fixes at the time. This is the first time this has happened to me. The truck has 412k miles. Is there anyone here who knows some about this problem? Replace mechanism, or a fix to what's there? If I remember right this might be more of a design flaw than wear.

SO you don't put the trans in a lower gear to prevent this from happening??????????????????? This has always been in the back of my mind happening so I always check and make sure its in gear.

 

[CumminsPower98]

Wow, that's no fun! I do feel highly blessed that this is the first time and that I was able to catch it. Some years ago I transported RV's with this truck putting on a few hundred thousand miles and parked many times with only the brake set and truck running (rest stops, fuel stops, etc. ). Sure would have been a bad scene if it had run away with a brand new RV in tow! I'm thinking wheel chocks or shut it off if in spots that pose a danger. I'm also thinking it is probably less likely to do this if I set the brake hard. Yesterday I didn't set it real hard because it wasn't very steep.

 

[CumminsPower98]

MLee, of course I put it in gear if it's not running. I don't want to have to shut it off every time I get out for a short time so these are the times there is danger so I will have to revise my methods (shut it off or chock it).

 

[FOXY005]

I bought a pair of chocks years ago, just throw them in the bed when not needed. Cheap insurance policy and piece of mind for when you want to let it sit and idle.

 

[budnate]

a few years ago I recall a pretty good thread on it, someone pointed out the problem spot on them and what to look for... ... been thinking all day about it and still cant recall what it was... ... . getting old I guess, lol.

 

[GAmes]

Was it this one?

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...ow-to-post-photos&highlight=parking+brake+fix

 

[budnate]

Nicely done Sir that be the one... . I plan to do mine this summer mine was like a rock but must be worn now It popped off on the boat ramp this summer one time.


B.

 

[CumminsPower98]

GAmes, that's the kind of info I was looking for, thank you! I will have to look into this mod sometime when I'm where I can work on the thing. This problem has always been in the back of my mind but it hadn't hit me until now. I thought I was going to avoid the cracking dash problem as well until last year or so when mine finally started going crazy.

 

[MLee]

MLee, of course I put it in gear if it's not running. I don't want to have to shut it off every time I get out for a short time so these are the times there is danger so I will have to revise my methods (shut it off or chock it).

Cumminspower98 you didn't mention in the original post if the truck was running or not, reason for my quip. But its now a lesson learned and a good notice of caution for the rest of us.

I never heard of this happening, glad you mentioned it and the link now has been posted to the happening before.

Thanks to all.

 

[GAmes]

Nicely done Sir that be the one... .

I bookmarked it way back when it was posted. I've always thought mine would wear out some day and I would need it. So far though, still working as designed.

 

[CumminsPower98]

Oh okay, I do see I didn't mention that. I posted about this on my FB page and did mention in that post that it was running but forgot that detail here, oops.

Cumminspower98 you didn't mention in the original post if the truck was running or not, reason for my quip. But its now a lesson learned and a good notice of caution for the rest of us.
I never heard of this happening, glad you mentioned it and the link now has been posted to the happening before.
Thanks to all.

 

[ewcmr2]

My pedal started to need to be stepped on twice to engauge. I replaced the pedal assembly. There is minor differences between '94-'97 and '98+. Rod vs cable release.