E Brake Adjustment?

[Big Tap]

I went to get my inspection and the guy told me he couldn't pass it because my E brake wasn't holding the car in place. I never really use it and had no idea it wasn't doing it's job, which leads to my next question...how do I adjust it to make it tighter?

I crawled up underneath and saw the cable that leads to a small spring on the back side of the rotor, but I didn't see a way to adjust it. Is that not the place I would need to adjust it or is there another place on the caliper where I would need to adjust it?

 

[Sepiroth]

As it turns out, the way to adjust it is to;

Raise and support, using jackstands, the rear of the vehicle.

Remove both rear wheels.

Remove both rear claipers.

Remove both rear rotors.

Inspect parking brake shoes, if applicable, replace.

Adjust parking brake shoes and replace rotor til the shoes ever so slightly drag.

Put everything back in reverso order.

 

[tybardy]

im pretty sure there is an easier way... i could have sworn there was a rubber something or another that you could remove and make the adjustment pretty quick.

 

[Big Tap]

im pretty sure there is an easier way... i could have sworn there was a rubber something or another that you could remove and make the adjustment pretty quick.

For the love of God I hope you're right and I don't have to do all of the other things.

 

[tybardy]

see if this helps...


http://tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=121&highlight=brake

 

[Big Tap]

OK, yeah I think that helps. When I was under there yesterday I'm pretty sure I saw the rubber grommet thing. I just wasn't sure what it was at the time. Hopefully I can just tighten it and it will solve my problem. If I have to replace something, I will not be happy.

 

[Sepiroth]

No, I was wrong in that thread, imagine that, lol.

Seriously the way I typed it out in this thread seems to be about the way to go.

 

[Big Tap]

So you're telling me there's not an adjustment like on most any other car? If so, this sucks. Also, if I have to do it, does the E brake engage on both sides? I only ask because you make mention to both sets of parking brake shoes.

 

[Sepiroth]

I'm afraid that is what i am telling you. Yes the parking brake engages on both sides. So your best bet is to adjust both parking brake shoes. Just hope that the parking brake shoes havent corroded off, cause then, thats an added cost.

 

[Big Tap]

Damn.....

 

[Sepiroth]

Man, just bring yourself 6-12-18-24 of you favorite 12oz or ML buddies and have at it.

 

[Big Tap]

I did a little research on All Data last night and was able to find out something that might help me out. Turns out you can adjust the cable tension from near the actual pedal, underneath the car. It's a two person job according to the site, but it's doable. I'm hoping that the cable might have come a little loose or stretched and this adjustment will work, cause if not, I'm gonna have to pull apart the whole ass end for a stupid parking brake.

 

[tybardy]

hey if that works, take good notes and do a write up on the forum, i for one would benifit from that info

 

[warrlac]

This was not a good design.

 

[Big Tap]

Damn, this thread got brought back from the dead. It is sort of a poor design, but it really wasn't all that bad to do. Only took a few hours. Could probably do it a lot faster after having done it once.

 

[bottomline2000]

my emergency brake has never worked and it always pass inspection. good thing the people here don't know what they are doing....lol..in case of emergency downshift and look for bushes i guess.

---------- Post added at 10:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:00 PM ----------

after looking at mine,it doesn't seem to even pull the cable. wtf?!

 

[Big Tap]

If I remember right, mine didn't either. I believe there is a wheel somewhere near the rear calipers that you can turn to tighten the cable up. Mine were down to the metal when I replaced them. Replaced the shoes and tighten up the cable and it works like a champ now.

 

[Eagle]

mine worked for about 3000 miles... adjsuted them for the trip to WDW in June.

but i never use it and when I did go to use it again it didnt; work anymore.

Dunno why the installed one assembly upside down where invariably it will vibrate down and wear the pads.

Oh yeah I do... it saved $3.00 per vehicle.



What I did was put the foot pedal partly on, adjust them till the rotor just barely wouldn;t clear and then release the parking brake and re-assemble it.



Absolute shit design though, especially having one inverted just to avoid needing mirrored parts.

---------- Post added at 11:12 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:10 AM ----------

BTW I think I detailed that in my Stickied brakes thread. (DIY SECTION)

 

[KMV77]

My ebrake decided to stop working when the brake material broke away from the shoe. I swapped new ones and adjusted them fine. Wasnt too bad. The one piece design was definitely different though.

 

[Brick]

My Ebrake are crap. I don't live in a hilly area, but sometimes I still need to use em. Guess I will just tackle that when I replace my brakes. Gonna search for Eagles thread now. Thanks guys