Parking Brake Adjustment (1500 Drum Brake)
Parking Brake Adjustment (1500 Drum Brake)
Special Tools
J-28662 - Brake Pedal Effort Gauge
Warning: Refer to Brake Dust Warning (Brake Dust Warning).
Note: The park brake cable adjusting nut is a nylon lock type. Use only hand tools whenever loosening or tightening the adjusting nut.
Note: The park brake cables may appear slack after performing the complete adjustment procedure. After completing the entire adjustment procedure and verifying proper adjustment through park brake system performance testing, do not attempt to remove the park brake cable slack by tightening the adjusting nut. This is a normal condition.
1. Apply and fully release the park brake 2-3 times. Verify that the park brake pedal releases completely.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position. Verify the red BRAKE warning lamp is not illuminated.
3. If the red BRAKE warning lamp is illuminated, verify the following:
* The park brake pedal is in the fully released position and against the stop.
* There are no binding park brake cables preventing full release of the park brake pedal.
4. If the red BRAKE warning lamp remained illuminated and there are no other visible causes, refer to Symptoms - Hydraulic Brakes (Symptoms - Hydraulic Brakes).
5. Turn OFF the ignition.
6. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).
7. With the park brake lever in the fully released position, loosen the adjusting nut at the park brake cable equalizer enough to completely relieve the park brake cable tension.
Brake Shoe Clearance Adjustment
1. Remove the rear brake drums. Refer to Brake Drum Replacement (Removal and Replacement).
2. Adjust the rear drum brakes. Refer to Drum Brake Adjustment (Adjustments).
3. Install the rear brake drums and secure with hand tightened wheel nuts installed with the cone facing outward.
4. With all tension relieved from the park brake cables, rotate the rear brake drums. Observe the amount of effort required for rotation, and the amount of drag, if present.
5. If drag is present, repeat steps 1-4
Cable Tension Adjustment
1. Remove the wheel nuts and rear brake drums.
2. Position a piece of ordinary printer or copier paper between the park brake apply lever contact rest and the drum brake shoe on each side of the vehicle.
3. Tighten the park brake cable adjusting nut until the first piece of paper inserted between the park brake apply lever and the drum brake shoe on either side slips out.
4. Loosen the adjustment nut 4 full turns.
Park Brake Adjustment Verification Check
1. Install the rear brake drums and secure with hand tightened wheel nuts installed with the cone facing outward.
2. Apply and release the park brake lever 3-5 times.
3. Install the J-28662 - Brake Pedal Effort Gauge to the park brake lever pedal.
4. Observe the number of detents required to apply the park brake pedal to the amount of force specified, as indicated on the J-28662 - Brake Pedal Effort Gauge.
8-10 detents required to apply the park brake pedal to 500 N (112 lb) of force.
5. If the number of detents required to achieve correct force is less than the specification, then the cable tension is too high. Repeat adjustment steps as necessary.
6. If the number is detents required to achieve correct force is greater than the specification, then the cable tension is too low. Repeat adjustment steps as necessary.
7. Remove the wheel nuts.
8. Install the rear tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).