So why would the parking brake start having issues

Tiny
BLUECOLLARTWEEKER
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 55,000 MILES
Do you know where and how to make adjustments? The brakes are fine with 50% pad life so why would the parking brake start having issues? This problem seems to be getting worse. Last week I was parked on a steep driveway and had to park close a tree just to ensure the truck wouldn't end up in the living room.
Tuesday, October 28th, 2008 AT 5:09 PM

33 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Please check these guides and videos out.

Here are two videos to handle both 2500, 3500 and 1500 parking brake shoe replacements with diagrams below to help as well.

https://youtu.be/EMxfb9X3ywE

and

https://youtu.be/uo1RnATyEok

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/parking-brake-shoe-replacement

The park brake shoes must be adjusted before the park brake pedal is adjusted. Set the J 21177-A so that it contacts the inside diameter of the rotor. Position the J 21177-A over the shoe and the lining at the widest point. Turn the adjuster nut until the lining just contacts the J 21177-A. Repeat steps 1-3 for the opposite side. The clearance between the park brake shoe and the rotor is 0.6604 mm (0.026 in).


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_gauge_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_gaugea_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_gaugeb_1.jpg



Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
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Tuesday, October 28th, 2008 AT 5:18 PM
Tiny
TOOBIZZYST
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 86,000 MILES
How to replace parking brake assembly
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 5:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
You have to remove the caliper and rotor to replace the shoes for parking brake. They are similar to a regular drum brake. If you have a 25 series caliper remove is a little different
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 5:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHEVYSILVERADO93
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 1993 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 0.5L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 304,000 MILES
I rebuilt the drum brakes with new springs and adjusters, and all new cables, and tightened them up. I did not pit on new pads or drums, as the pads have a lot of material left, and the condition of the pads and drums looks acceptable but not great. I tightened the cables, very tight with parking brake pedal high, and it goes almost to the floor, but doesn't fully stop vehicle from moving under gas. I suspect that I need to replace the pads and drums, which I should have done, but am very low income (doing the work myself). Otherwise the brakes seem to work well, but that might be the front disks doing most of the work as they are under 3 years old. Parking brake is the concern, for passing inspection. Thanks for any info.
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 5:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Most braking is done by front not rear. However if you don't have the adjuster correct in drum it won't work properly. The brakes have to be adjusted as well to just touch the drum where it will still spin. Recheck your work and try readjusting the brakes
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 5:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHEVYSILVERADO93
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I was very careful to make sure everything was correct, but there is no way to adjust the adjuster through the back, it seems it has to be adjusted by backing up slowly while applying the brakes. I just picked up new pads and will put those in and try again. Thanks.
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 5:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
You have to punch the piece out in backing plate to access the adjuster and it will spin in one direction. There are 3 different types of rear brakes so hopefully I sent the correct one.
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 5:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHEVYSILVERADO93
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
No you didn't send the right one, the chevy c1500, 2 wheel drive, is similar, but simpler. There were two rubber plugs about half way down the backing plate near the outside edge, but they don't come close to lining up with the adjuster. But I will look to see if I can punch out the piece of the backing, that would make a big difference if so, Thanks, that might be the key.
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 5:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHEVYSILVERADO93
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I pulled it apart and there is no way or piece to punch out to access the adjuster, so I assume you have to set it up right before you put the drum on. But the arm that goes over the adjust wheel teeth does not lock over it, it can flop around, move in to engage the teeth on the adjuster wheel, or out. Is the top spring that connects the two brake shoes supposed to cover that arm and hold it on the teeth? Thanks again.
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 5:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHEVYSILVERADO93
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
On these brakes there is no adjusting screw spring (none in new spring kit either) and the large spring that holds the brake pads at the top is the only one near it, with a small spring that pulls the arm that engages the teeth of the adjusting wheel. I'll check the Chilton's manual again, but it would make sense for the large upper spring to cover that arm to hold it in place.
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 5:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If this is what you have the adjustment is where arrow is pointed for initial parking and brake adjustment which must be made with drum off. Yo need to measure at center of drum and shoe to get it close so drum would need to be turned.
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 5:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHEVYSILVERADO93
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Yes, that's the right one. I read the Chiltons manual again and figured out what you said, adjust w drum off. Thanks for the reference point, I think I've got it now.
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 5:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MOMBY53
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1984 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,560 MILES
I bought this truck a couple months ago. It has no emergency brake. Whoever removed it removed all of it, connects, cables, everything, The problem I have is I don't know where it connect, or where to run the cables. Can you help?

Daniel
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 5:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JNOVACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 723 POSTS
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Front Cable
DRUM BRAKES

See Figure 1


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/52960_0900c1528008f6c3_1.jpg



Fig. 1: Front parking brake cable-C/K Series

1.Raise vehicle and support it with safety stands.
2.Remove adjusting nut from equalizer.
3.Remove retainer clip from rear portion of front cable at frame and from lever arm.
4.Disconnect front brake cable from parking brake pedal or lever assemblies. Remove front brake cable. On some models, it may assist installation of new cable if a heavy cord is tied to other end of cable in order to guide new cable through proper routing.

To install:

5.Install cable by reversing removal procedure.
6.Adjust parking brake.

Center Cable

1.Raise the vehicle on hoist.
2.Remove the adjusting nut from the equalizer.
3.Unhook the connector at each end and disengage the hooks and guides.
4.Install the new cable by reversing the removal procedure.
5.Adjust the parking brake.
6.Apply the parking brake 3 times with heavy pressure and repeat adjustment.

Rear Cable

See Figure 3


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/52960_0900c1528008f6c5_1.jpg



Fig. 3: Rear parking brake cable-C/K Series

1.Raise the vehicle and support it on safety stands.
2.Remove the rear wheel and brake drum.
3.Loosen the adjusting nut at the equalizer.
4.Disengage the rear cable at the connector.
5.Bend the retainer fingers at the backing plate.
6.Disengage the cable at the brake shoe operating lever.
7.Install the new cable.
8.Adjust the parking brake.

ADJUSTMENT

Duo-Servo Drum Brakes

The rear brakes serve a dual purpose. They are used as service brakes and as parking brakes. To obtain proper adjustment of the parking brake, the service brakes must first be properly adjusted as outlined earlier.

1.Apply the parking brake 4 clicks from the fully released position.
2.Raise and support the vehicle.
3.Loosen the locknut at the equalizer.
4.Tighten or loosen the adjusting nut until a moderate drag is felt when the rear wheels are rotated forward.
5.Tighten the locknut.
6.Release the parking brake and rotate the rear wheels. No drag should be felt. If even a light drag is felt, readjust the parking brake.
7.Lower the vehicle.

If a new parking brake cable is being installed, pre-stretch it by applying the parking brake hard about three times before making adjustments.

Leading/Trailing Drum Brakes

See Figures 4 and 5

1.Raise the rear of the truck and support it with safety stands. Remove the wheels and brake drum.
2.Measure the brake drum inside diameter.
3.Turn the adjuster nut until the brake shoe maximum diameter is 0.01-0.02 in. (0.25-50mm) less than the brake drum diameter.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/52960_0900c1528008f6c6_1.jpg



Fig. 4: Parking brake adjusting screw-C/K Series


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/52960_0900c1528008f6c7_1.jpg



Fig. 5: Left side parking brake assembly-C/K Series

4.Make sure that the stops on the parking brake levers are against the edge of the brake shoe web. If the cable is holding the stops off the edge, loosen the adjustment.
5.Tighten the cable at the adjuster nut until the lever stops begin to move off the shoe webs.
6.Loosen the adjustment nut until the lever stops are just touching the shoe webs. There should be no more than 0.019 inch (0.5mm) clearance between the stops and the webs.
7.Install the drums and wheels.
8.Pump the brake pedal 30-35 times with normal force. Pause about 1 second between each stroke.
9.Depress the parking brake pedal 6 clicks. The wheels should be locked.
10.Release the parking brake. The wheels should rotate freely.
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 5:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MOMBY53
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you very much for the prompt response. I gave the instructions to my husband, he looked them over and it appears we have a bigger problem. He had a feeling that the rear end had been changed on this truck at some time. On figure 3 it shows the cable going along the axel from left to right. He says that the hangers that you see on figure 3, are different than our vehicle. On ours, there are hangers on both sides, so he figures the cable runs up each side instead of going across from one side to the other. Does this make sense to you? If I had a picture of the underside of the truck would that help?

Thank you

Sharon
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 5:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JNOVACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 723 POSTS
Axle may have been changed all pics and repair info I sent you is from GM repair manual you may want to try to make some hangers for the cable it doesnt have to be tight to cable just needs to be hold in place many auto parts stores have replacement hangers that are universal that you can use
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 5:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AALANO
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • CHEVROLET SILVERADO
How do you get PB cable off brake shoe
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 5:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKE H R
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,094 POSTS
You did not say what year the vehicle is. Guessing that you are having trouble removing the emergency brake from the shoe. Most common is a pin that goes through the secondary shoe, it is held on with a clip, to remove you have to pry the clip open so the pin will come out, then you can change shoes.
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 5:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AALANO
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • CHEVROLET SILVERADO
How do you get PB cable off brake shoe 2006 1500 5.3 4x4
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 5:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Put vice grips on the very end of the cable, on the metal end, then use sidecutters and pinch between the VGrips and the spring, push the spring back the grab tight with sidecutters, remove cable.
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 5:53 PM (Merged)

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