Rear parking brake does not work

WALLY AB

MEMBER
2008 HONDA ACCORD
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

Tried adjusting cable, and jacked the back end of the car up. The lever got tighter but rear wheels didn't have any more resistance. What is the culprit? The caliper mechanism or parking brake cable?

Wednesday, September 4th, 2019 AT 5:03 PM

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

Welcome to 2CarPros.

It is most likely the cable is rusted and not moving. What you need to do is support the vehicle and confirm that the cable is moving the park brake lever on both wheels. Have a helper move the lever in the vehicle while you watch. I attached a picture of where I am referring.

If it doesn't move, confirm that it isn't disconnected anywhere. If it is fully attached, one of the cables is frozen.

Here are the manufacturer's directions for inspection and adjustment. Review them and confirm you did what they recommend. The remaining pictures correlate with the directions.

Parking Brake Inspection and Adjustment
Vehicle Brakes and Traction Control Parking Brake System Adjustments Parking Brake Inspection and Adjustment
PARKING BRAKE INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT
Parking Brake Inspection and Adjustment

Inspection

1. Pull the parking brake lever (A) with 196 N (20 kgf, 44 lbf) of force to fully apply the parking brake. The parking brake lever should be locked within the specified number of clicks.

2. If the number of lever clicks is not as specified, adjust the parking brake.

Adjustment

1. Release the parking brake lever fully.
2. Pull out the center console rear trim (A).

3. Loosen the parking brake adjusting nut (B).
4. Raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations.
5. Remove the rear wheels.
6. Make sure the parking brake lever (A) on the rear brake caliper contacts the arm (B).

NOTE: The parking brake lever will contact the arm when the parking brake adjusting nut is loosened.

7. Clean the mating surfaces of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel, then install the rear wheels.
8. Pull the parking brake lever 1 click.
9. Tighten the parking brake adjusting nut until the parking brakes drag slightly when the rear wheels are turned.
10. Release the parking brake lever fully, and check that the parking brakes do not drag when the rear wheels are turned. Readjust if necessary.
11. Make sure the parking brake lever within the specified number of clicks (7 to 9 clicks).
12. Install the center console rear trim.

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find.

Images (Click to make bigger)