Parking Brake Adjustment (rear disc)

***Mopar1973Man*** · 02-12-2006, 10:09 PM

This is another common problem out there for manual trans trucks. You park on a slope or hill and the parking brake isn't holding. How do you fix this problem?

Easy...

Jack up the rear axle and block it (jack stands). Safety first!

Inside this little recess is a rubber plug. Your going to need a pair of needle nosed pliers to pull the rubber plug out.

Now believe it or not behind this little slot is a star wheel. But it doesn't have sharp points on it. They are more kind of rounded. If I remember right you turn the wheel upwards to tighten the shoes in the drum assembly. Now check your settings now and then by turning the wheel on the same side. If the shoes start to drag then turn the star wheel in the reverse direction till it stops dragging.

Now put the rubber plug back in. You can use a flat blade screwdriver to start the rubber plug back in place. Then use a blunt object to finish pushing into place.

Now do the other side the same way.

You will notice that the parking brake pedal will be much highier off the floor when used. But you will now know when the pedal gets close to the floor its time to re-adjust you parking brake again.

WARNING! - I've seen several other people make adjustment using the nut on the cable. This is not a adjustment point for the shoes! This is a cable slack adjustment DO NOT use for adjustment purposes. If you do you will short the pull length of the parking brake cable. This might cause the shoes to drag because the cable is too short now.

Another Tidbit From The Mopar1973Man...

__________________

Michael Nelson - 2002 Dodge Cummins

For Technical Assistance With Your 24V 2nd Generation Cummins - Click Here! Or Search CF.Com for an Answer

Remember to smack the THANKS! button for those that helped you or you think that post is helpful to others!

Last edited by Mopar1973Man : 05-23-2006 at 12:29 AM.

02-12-2006, 10:17 PM

I never can remember the direction on the star wheel either but it will only go one way so that makes it easy, I check mine every 10k when I rotate tires and it usually only takes a few clicks till the shoes start to drag then I quit

Good writeup...thanks man :thumbsup

Monster Truck · 02-13-2006, 01:15 AM

good write up, its not so much the parking brake adjust though as it is just the brake adjustment its self.

__________________
95 Ext Cab SLT, Loaded, built 5spd with hurst, 3.54s, Leveled 4'' Lift 35'' Toyos, optima redtops, 4'' Straight into a 5'' bed kit with 6'' Mitres, Protech, Super B 57/66/14, Stage 2 Sticks, 3GSK, #60 Valve Springs, Stage 2 clutch, BHAF, Plateless, Boost and EGT on the pillar fuel pressure on the colum.

***Mopar1973Man*** · 02-13-2006, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monster Truck

good write up, its not so much the parking brake adjust though as it is just the brake adjustment its self.

Thank you...

That depends on if your a rear disc brakes or rear drum brakes...

If you have rear drum your main shoes are your parking brake shoes...

If you have rear disc your main shoes are NOT your parking brake shoes. The parking brake shoes are a separate set inside the hub area of the rotor. There is a mini drum with the parking brake shoes inside.

__________________

Michael Nelson - 2002 Dodge Cummins

For Technical Assistance With Your 24V 2nd Generation Cummins - Click Here! Or Search CF.Com for an Answer

Remember to smack the THANKS! button for those that helped you or you think that post is helpful to others!

Jakey's'01H.O. · 02-13-2006, 07:19 PM

ahh ive been looking for this!!! mine dont hold, and i dont know if theyre burnt up, or just need to be adjusted!!!!! so just adjust til the wheel drags a bit??? yes i have rear discs!!! ahhhh!!!

__________________
'01 ETH/SO VP.
[HOLLAND COURT DIESEL PERFORMANCE. COALTRAIN IS THE SH$T

Jakey's'01H.O. · 02-13-2006, 07:21 PM

and a star bit? any idea what "T" size or whatever

__________________
'01 ETH/SO VP.
[HOLLAND COURT DIESEL PERFORMANCE. COALTRAIN IS THE SH$T

***Mopar1973Man*** · 02-14-2006, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakey's'01H.O.

and a star bit? any idea what "T" size or whatever

Jakey you need two tools. Flat blade screwdriver and a pair of needle nose. You use the needle nose to pull the rubber plug out of the slot. The flat blade you use to pry up or down to spin the star wheel inside. Think of a doughnut with a lumpy outside ring.

There adjusted exactly the same as old style drum brakes...

__________________

Michael Nelson - 2002 Dodge Cummins

For Technical Assistance With Your 24V 2nd Generation Cummins - Click Here! Or Search CF.Com for an Answer

Remember to smack the THANKS! button for those that helped you or you think that post is helpful to others!

Last edited by Mopar1973Man : 02-14-2006 at 09:55 AM.

02-14-2006, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakey's'01H.O.

ahh ive been looking for this!!! mine dont hold, and i dont know if theyre burnt up, or just need to be adjusted!!!!! so just adjust til the wheel drags a bit??? yes i have rear discs!!! ahhhh!!!

If you have disc brakes on the rear yer truck is a 01.5

The 01 will have drums on the back

Jakey's'01H.O. · 02-14-2006, 11:51 PM

ooooooo cool

__________________
'01 ETH/SO VP.
[HOLLAND COURT DIESEL PERFORMANCE. COALTRAIN IS THE SH$T

Jakey's'01H.O. · 04-10-2006, 03:12 PM

ive tried two different times now, to get the damn rear discs off, hittin the hub of the rotor with a steel hammer, and the disc itslef with a rubber mallet...and it wont budge...ill try to adjust the ebrake, but i bought replacements two months ago, and would like to get fresh ones in...help me out!!!!!!!!!!!!

__________________
'01 ETH/SO VP.
[HOLLAND COURT DIESEL PERFORMANCE. COALTRAIN IS THE SH$T

Jakey's'01H.O. · 04-10-2006, 03:39 PM

okay got them adjusted. they adjust to the BACK of the truck, so when ur adjusting them, rotate the adjuster counter clockwise...they are maxed out, and when i put two lugnuts on one stud, and try to turn the wheel, theyll still turn, more resistance than before, but i dont think itll hold on a hill...so again...i ask how do ya get the rear rotors off...grrr..so i can get these brand new ones in...i dont even know how many times ive seen people to back up the enclosed trailer just jump in not looking if the e-brake is even on already...the owner before me really burnt these up!!

__________________
'01 ETH/SO VP.
[HOLLAND COURT DIESEL PERFORMANCE. COALTRAIN IS THE SH$T

***Mopar1973Man*** · 04-10-2006, 10:11 PM

Jake...

There should be a set of jam nuts in the hub area. You must remove the axle shaft. Then take out the two jam nuts. Then there is a set of cone bearings in there. Then it should come off... This is using the information from my older 1972 Dodge that I pulled the rear drums off of to do brake work on... But it should be simular to do...

I hope this helps...

__________________

Michael Nelson - 2002 Dodge Cummins

For Technical Assistance With Your 24V 2nd Generation Cummins - Click Here! Or Search CF.Com for an Answer

Remember to smack the THANKS! button for those that helped you or you think that post is helpful to others!

02-12-2006, 10:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
*Mopar1973Man* www.Mopar1973Man.com Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Meadows, Idaho Posts: 11,043 Thanks: 209 Thanked 584 Times in 457 Posts Mopar1973Man's Truck Pics	Parking Brake Adjustment (rear disc) This is another common problem out there for manual trans trucks. You park on a slope or hill and the parking brake isn't holding. How do you fix this problem? Easy... Jack up the rear axle and block it (jack stands). Safety first! Inside this little recess is a rubber plug. Your going to need a pair of needle nosed pliers to pull the rubber plug out. Now believe it or not behind this little slot is a star wheel. But it doesn't have sharp points on it. They are more kind of rounded. If I remember right you turn the wheel upwards to tighten the shoes in the drum assembly. Now check your settings now and then by turning the wheel on the same side. If the shoes start to drag then turn the star wheel in the reverse direction till it stops dragging. Now put the rubber plug back in. You can use a flat blade screwdriver to start the rubber plug back in place. Then use a blunt object to finish pushing into place. Now do the other side the same way. You will notice that the parking brake pedal will be much highier off the floor when used. But you will now know when the pedal gets close to the floor its time to re-adjust you parking brake again. WARNING! - I've seen several other people make adjustment using the nut on the cable. This is not a adjustment point for the shoes! This is a cable slack adjustment DO NOT use for adjustment purposes. If you do you will short the pull length of the parking brake cable. This might cause the shoes to drag because the cable is too short now. Another Tidbit From The Mopar1973Man... __________________ Michael Nelson - 2002 Dodge Cummins For Technical Assistance With Your 24V 2nd Generation Cummins - Click Here! Or Search CF.Com for an Answer Remember to smack the *THANKS!* button for those that helped you or you think that post is helpful to others! Last edited by Mopar1973Man : 05-23-2006 at 12:29 AM.

04-10-2006, 03:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jakey's'01H.O. Diesel Head Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Gillette WY Posts: 1,994 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Jakey's'01H.O.'s Truck Pics	THESE ARE KICKIN MY beepbeepbeep ive tried two different times now, to get the damn rear discs off, hittin the hub of the rotor with a steel hammer, and the disc itslef with a rubber mallet...and it wont budge...ill try to adjust the ebrake, but i bought replacements two months ago, and would like to get fresh ones in...help me out!!!!!!!!!!!! __________________ '01 ETH/SO VP. [HOLLAND COURT DIESEL PERFORMANCE. COALTRAIN IS THE SH$T

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02-12-2006, 10:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	I never can remember the direction on the star wheel either but it will only go one way so that makes it easy, I check mine every 10k when I rotate tires and it usually only takes a few clicks till the shoes start to drag then I quit Good writeup...thanks man :thumbsup

02-13-2006, 01:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
Monster Truck Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kingston, WA Posts: 1,961 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Monster Truck's Truck Pics	good write up, its not so much the parking brake adjust though as it is just the brake adjustment its self. __________________ 95 Ext Cab SLT, Loaded, built 5spd with hurst, 3.54s, Leveled 4'' Lift 35'' Toyos, optima redtops, 4'' Straight into a 5'' bed kit with 6'' Mitres, Protech, Super B 57/66/14, Stage 2 Sticks, 3GSK, #60 Valve Springs, Stage 2 clutch, BHAF, Plateless, Boost and EGT on the pillar fuel pressure on the colum.

02-13-2006, 07:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jakey's'01H.O. Diesel Head Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Gillette WY Posts: 1,994 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Jakey's'01H.O.'s Truck Pics	ahh ive been looking for this!!! mine dont hold, and i dont know if theyre burnt up, or just need to be adjusted!!!!! so just adjust til the wheel drags a bit??? yes i have rear discs!!! ahhhh!!! __________________ '01 ETH/SO VP. [HOLLAND COURT DIESEL PERFORMANCE. COALTRAIN IS THE SH$T

02-13-2006, 07:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jakey's'01H.O. Diesel Head Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Gillette WY Posts: 1,994 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Jakey's'01H.O.'s Truck Pics	and a star bit? any idea what "T" size or whatever __________________ '01 ETH/SO VP. [HOLLAND COURT DIESEL PERFORMANCE. COALTRAIN IS THE SH$T

02-14-2006, 11:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jakey's'01H.O. Diesel Head Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Gillette WY Posts: 1,994 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Jakey's'01H.O.'s Truck Pics	ooooooo cool __________________ '01 ETH/SO VP. [HOLLAND COURT DIESEL PERFORMANCE. COALTRAIN IS THE SH$T

04-10-2006, 03:39 PM	#11 (permalink)
Jakey's'01H.O. Diesel Head Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Gillette WY Posts: 1,994 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Jakey's'01H.O.'s Truck Pics	okay got them adjusted. they adjust to the BACK of the truck, so when ur adjusting them, rotate the adjuster counter clockwise...they are maxed out, and when i put two lugnuts on one stud, and try to turn the wheel, theyll still turn, more resistance than before, but i dont think itll hold on a hill...so again...i ask how do ya get the rear rotors off...grrr..so i can get these brand new ones in...i dont even know how many times ive seen people to back up the enclosed trailer just jump in not looking if the e-brake is even on already...the owner before me really burnt these up!! __________________ '01 ETH/SO VP. [HOLLAND COURT DIESEL PERFORMANCE. COALTRAIN IS THE SH$T

04-10-2006, 10:11 PM	#12 (permalink)
*Mopar1973Man* www.Mopar1973Man.com Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Meadows, Idaho Posts: 11,043 Thanks: 209 Thanked 584 Times in 457 Posts Mopar1973Man's Truck Pics	Jake... There should be a set of jam nuts in the hub area. You must remove the axle shaft. Then take out the two jam nuts. Then there is a set of cone bearings in there. Then it should come off... This is using the information from my older 1972 Dodge that I pulled the rear drums off of to do brake work on... But it should be simular to do... I hope this helps... __________________ Michael Nelson - 2002 Dodge Cummins For Technical Assistance With Your 24V 2nd Generation Cummins - Click Here! Or Search CF.Com for an Answer Remember to smack the *THANKS!* button for those that helped you or you think that post is helpful to others!