Chapter 19 Parking Brake Service 335
Figure 19-8. Adjustment for a rear disc brake caliper. Not all
calipers need this type of adjustment. (General Motors)
Screwdriver
Screwdriver
Boot
groove
Boot
Shim
Rotor
Lining
Piston
Pad
Figure 19-9. Parking cable adjustment. A—This shows the
overall layout. B—An exploded view of the equalizer and
related parts. (TRW, Inc.)
Rear cable
conduit
Equalizer
Front
cable
Parking
brake
pedal
A
B
Front
cable
Rear
cable
Conduit
Front
cable
Locknut
Screw
thread
Cable
Adjusting
nut
To
rear
wheel
To rear
wheel
Equalizer
Caution: Before removing any part of the
parking brake assembly, be sure that the
vehicle is in Park, or otherwise secured to
keep it from rolling.
Linkage Adjustment
Normal usage will stretch the parking brake cable and
cause some wear in the related guides or levers. This creates
looseness and prevents full application of the parking brake.
Linkage adjustment consists of reducing the length of the
front cable to compensate for looseness. Most linkage adjust-
ment devices are located at the equalizer, Figure 19-9.
To adjust the tension at the equalizer, slightly engage
the hand or foot lever about two or three notches of the
ratchet mechanism. This will take up a small amount of
slack and prevent overtightening. Then loosen the locknut
holding the equalizer adjuster. If necessary, spray the lock-
nut and adjuster shaft with penetrating oil before trying to
turn the nuts.
Turn the adjusting nut until you can feel a drag when
turning the rear wheels. Then back off the nut until all
brake drag is gone. Tighten the locknut and firmly apply
the parking brake. Then recheck to ensure the brakes are
not dragging when the parking brake is fully released.
Perform the parking brake performance test as discussed
earlier in this chapter to ensure the parking brakes are
properly adjusted.
Freeing Brake Cables
Ideally, a sticking or seized brake cable should be
replaced. However, if a replacement cable is unavailable,
you may be able to free the stuck cable. Begin by removing
the cable ends. Then, using penetrating oil, spray the cable at
the point where it enters the sheath. Allow the penetrating oil
to soak in, then repeat. Work the cable back and forth, apply-
ing penetrating oil as needed, until the cable loosens. Clean
as much corrosion and contaminants from the inner cable
as possible. Once the cable is free, apply liberal amounts
of lithium grease to the inner and outer cable sections, then
reinstall the cable and adjust the brakes.
Replacing Parking Brake Linkage
and Cables
Some parts of the parking brake assembly must be
replaced if they become damaged or worn. Removal and
installation procedures for these parts are given in the fol-
lowing sections.