Community Forums

Tootall · 07-26-2005, 05:02 PM

When I put on the emergency brake the pedal goes to the floor and does not engage. I crawled under with the brake both on and off and the engaging mechanism moved in and out OK, but still does not engage. This puts too much pressure on the tranny in the park position.
Does anyone know how to adjust the brake?
Thanks in advance

Tootall · 07-26-2005, 05:02 PM

When I put on the emergency brake the pedal goes to the floor and does not engage. I crawled under with the brake both on and off and the engaging mechanism moved in and out OK, but still does not engage. This puts too much pressure on the tranny in the park position.
Does anyone know how to adjust the brake?
Thanks in advance

Ray,IN · 07-27-2005, 06:39 PM

My Dodge does the same. The rear drum brakes self-adjusters are not working. Try backing up and stopping suddenly and strongly, to a complete stop. It may require several attempts to get them to ratchet up to the proper adjustment. I've even had to remove the rear wheels to clean and lube the adjustment screws a couple times. But then, if you have all disc brakes ignore this post, as I have no experience with them.

Ray,IN · 07-29-2005, 03:37 AM

Tootall, I just bought a Chev 3500 and spent many hours reading the owners manual last night. It says to apply the regular brakes before applying the parking brake. I don't know what this does, but thought I'd relay what I read. A neighbor said that some parking brakes have a ratchet mechanism that allows you to push the emergency brake several times to apply it tightly.

Tootall · 08-22-2005, 06:08 PM

Thanks Ray,
Last PM I read about 90 posts on other forums (typed "Adjust 2003 GMC Parking Brake" into Google) about the Parking brake in GM's and Chevies. The parking brake cable that runs down the driver side chassis frame splits to 2 cables to the rear brake DRUMS. Yes drums. There are drums for the parking brake about the size of a softball. The other forums had facts that these just do not work. Some folks just never use the foot brake.Others had quotes from dealers that it could cost between $100 to $500. Today I went to my dealer and spoke with an ex service manager that is now in higher management, and asked his advice. He agreed that this is an ongoing problem with the foot brake. I asked him if the brake cable shortener available in the parts store would solve the problem, and he gave me a thumbsup. I went to the local parts store and bought 3. I now have a good parking brake. The shorteners are 5 bucks each.
Happy Camping

Tootall · 08-24-2005, 05:52 PM

Update:
Spoke with service manager today, and he informed me that GM-Chevy was doing a study re: rear brake pads, and parking brake problems for a recall.