2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Parking Brake

[jeepit]

My 2002 has disc brakes. I need to adjust parking brake.
Is it just a matter of turning adjuster? Or is there anything else to do with the disc setup?

 

[petersonj]

Your 2002 Dodge has three locations to adjust the park brake. There is a cable adjustment on the outside of the left frame rail about mid body. This adjustment is to compensate for the stretch of the cable and operating parts. It is important to do this adjustment last (if it is needed at all). The other two adjustment locations are in the right and left rear rotors. There is actually a machined drum on the inside of the rear rotors and this is where the park brake hardware is located. The park drum brake on your truck is very similar to the hydraulic drum brakes used in cars and trucks for decades. One difference is that the brake shoes are located on the top and bottom instead of front and back.

The park brake shoe adjusters are accessed through holes in the backing plate at each rear wheel. You will need to remove a dust plug covering the oblong adjuster hole to access the adjuster. The adjuster is a star wheel. It will probably be difficult to find the right brake adjuster tool for the job because the access hole is recessed quite a bit.

Before you adjust the star wheels, ensure that there is abundant slack in the park cables with the park brake pedal released. If you have reason to believe that someone has adjusted the cable (along the left outside frame rail), be sure to significantly back off the adjustment nut at this location before adjusting the star wheels.

Adjust the star wheels one side at a time until there is significant drag while rotating the tire by hand. Back off each star wheel a couple of teeth to complete the job. The tires should rotate with minimal or no drag. Don't let the normal drag from the disc brakes interfere with this adjustment. It may be necessary to remove the rear tires and spread the calipers slightly to reduce this drag to get a better feel for adjusting the park brake shoes.

Now go back to the adjuster on the left side of the truck. Near the adjuster you will see an equalizer and an exposed cable for each rear wheel. When you pull down on the main cable you should see the operation of both rear park brake cables. You will probably see a lot of cable movement before the park brake is fully actuated. Make adjustments to remove most of this free play. On your final adjustment here, ensure that both cables have some free play just before locking up the rear wheel when you pull down on the main cable.

If you have done all of the adjustments correctly, then you will have solid engagement of the park brake at the upper end of the stroke of the park brake pedal.

Good luck! I also drive a 2002 Dodge Cummins and my wife drives a 2006 VW New Beetle TDI.

John

 

[B.G. Smith]

Excellent write up, thanks for the instructions. bg

 

[petersonj]

Thank you B.G. I need to correct some misinformation. I stated, "One difference is that the brake shoes are located on the top and bottom instead of front and back.". After thinking about this some, I believe the brake shoes are positioned on the front and back (not top and bottom), not that it makes much difference as the adjustment procedure would still be the same.

Thank you,
John

 

[jeepit]

Thanks for the info.
Interesting we have the same vehicles and each of our wives drive the TDI!

 

[jeepit]

Only a year later but parking brake was adjusted...should have done this a long time ago!

 

[petersonj]

Only a year later but parking brake was adjusted...should have done this a long time ago!

Good to hear that you got it done...

We replaced our 2006 VW Beetle TDI with a 2014 Passat TDI last November.

- John

 

[jeepit]

Good to hear that you got it done...

We replaced our 2006 VW Beetle TDI with a 2014 Passat TDI last November.

- John

Hey John..We still have the 2006 TDI. This has been the best running car I have ever had. We have 173,000 miles on it now.