2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Parking brake

[Eddiej]

97 2500 , new rear brakes, parking brake will click and stay when applied, but cable won’t release all the way, is there an internal spring on the pedal to pull cable back , before I took it apart it worked but wouldn’t hold on a hill, when applied would go to the floor, but when released it would pull the cable all the back to the home position with a forceful bang, now it won’t return home on its own

 

[petersonj]

How long ago did the park brake pedal start going to the floor and not holding? Before, or after the rear brake were replaced?

Are you saying that you took apart the park brake pedal assembly? If so, why?

When a park brake doesn't hold very well and the park brake pedal has a long travel, the problem almost always is that the rear brakes aren't adjusted properly.

- John

 

[Eddiej]

Before, anything was done, I went to adjust brakes and found a cracked lining and bad wheel seal, so replaced brakes, had drums turned.

 

[Eddiej]

I took park brake out because it would not retract parking brake cable all the way, I thought I did something to brake mechanism

 

[petersonj]

Before, anything was done, I went to adjust brakes and found a cracked lining and bad wheel seal, so replaced brakes, had drums turned.

So, before you replaced anything, was the park brake operating properly? If not, give details.

before I took it apart it worked but wouldn’t hold on a hill, when applied would go to the floor, but when released it would pull the cable all the back to the home position with a forceful bang, now it won’t return home on its own

According to your first post the park brake cable worked normally (just didn't hold well), but retracted fully. This is why I asked why did you take the park brake pedal assembly apart. I am a bit confused here.

As far as the question of there being a return spring in the park brake regulator, I believe that there is a pull spring or torsion spring to return the pedal and the slack in the cable assembly.

- John

 

[Eddiej]

As far as I can tell the coil or return spring only returns the pedal it does not take the slack out of cable , the pedal worked ok just did not hold, when I started this project I found the cable adjusting nut bottomed out, no more adjustment, so I ran adjusting nut to end of threads when I did this I heard a clicking sound from park brake lever, now the coil spring returns the pedal in the up position but cable does not retract , only if I hold release lever with finger and pull cable with other hand does cable retract, cable does not retract on its own when release lever is pulled, hope that helps explain it better

 

[petersonj]

when I started this project I found the cable adjusting nut bottomed out, no more adjustment

This would indicate that the park brake adjustment has been done incorrectly in the past. This cable adjustment point on your truck rarely needs attention as noted below in a 2002 FSM statement (similar to your '97).

From the 2002 FSM - Parking brake adjustment is controlled by a cable
tensioner mechanism. The cable tensioner, once
adjusted at the factory, should not need further
adjustment under normal circumstances. Adjustment
may be required if a new tensioner, or cables are
installed, or disconnected.

Park brake adjustment for your truck happens when the rear brake shoes are adjusted properly on both rear axle brake assemblies. This means that before a rear brake adjustment is done, the park brake cable must remain in a relaxed position before and during the adjustment process. All four brake shoes shoes must be resting on respective anchor pins before adjustment is started and after adjustment is complete. It is only then that the park brake cable can be adjusted to the correct position. Adjustment will be necessary on your truck because the cable adjuster has been tampered with.

- John

 

[GAmes]

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