Parking Brake control module

[Larryjb]

I replaced the parking brake module last night and tightened the equalizer nut properly, or as properly as I can. The pedal still goes to the floor easily. Is this normal for the pedal to go to the floor with the pedal autoadjuster mechanism?

I'll revisit the parking brake shoes when it comes time to swap out the winter tires.

 

[OR VietVet]

I replaced the parking brake module last night and tightened the equalizer nut properly, or as properly as I can. The pedal still goes to the floor easily. Is this normal for the pedal to go to the floor with the pedal autoadjuster mechanism?

I'll revisit the parking brake shoes when it comes time to swap out the winter tires.

The parking brake system is just that, a system, and all working parts need to be up to *****. Who knows what is wrong till you inspect the entire system.

 

[Larryjb]

The parking brake system is just that, a system, and all working parts need to be up to *****. Who knows what is wrong till you inspect the entire system.

I thought I had adjusted the parking brakes at the wheel in the fall. I did note that on one side the shoe was showing signs of cracking. I knew I'd have to change it soon. I guess soon is now.

 

[OR VietVet]

I thought I had adjusted the parking brakes at the wheel in the fall. I did note that on one side the shoe was showing signs of cracking. I knew I'd have to change it soon. I guess soon is now.

Yes, check it all and leave no stone left unturned.

Did you ever get your passenger side back hood gap problem fixed?

 

[swathdiver]

I thought I had adjusted the parking brakes at the wheel in the fall. I did note that on one side the shoe was showing signs of cracking. I knew I'd have to change it soon. I guess soon is now.

I changed my shoes and it still goes near to the floor. Going to replace the actuator and cables on of these days. It still works, just not as I'd like.

 

[OR VietVet]

Undo the cables and tie them in a knot to shorten them. "That'll fix it"!

 

[Larryjb]

Yes, check it all and leave no stone left unturned.

Did you ever get your passenger side back hood gap problem fixed?

That one is pretty low on my priority list!

 

[Larryjb]

I much better understand the auto adjust on the parking brake pedal. It's function seems to be to take up the slack. If you have a decent sized pin, it is very useful to remove the slack to do any parking brake work. I used the lever from my hydraulic jack to pull down on the parking brake cable. This "unwinds" the auto-adjust mechanism so you can place the pin back into the pedal module. Now the slack remains in the cable and you can release the cable from the rear wheels if you have to replace any parking brake hardware. This is easier than undoing the equalizer nut.

However, I'm reading from other sources that the pedal is supposed to go the floor. We will see if my truck holds on a slope now or not, but I will be changing the shoes anyway this spring.

 

[OR VietVet]

My pedal works fine and does NOT go to the floor.

 

[Larryjb]

Thanks Ron. I just tested mine and it won't hold on a slope. I know the pedal module is good, the intermediate cable is new from 2 years ago so it is highly unlikely to be stretched. The equalizer is tightened up properly now. I doubt the issue would be cable stretch anyway as I've never had an issue with cable stretch on any of my vehicles, and I've kept one of them until it was 27 years old. That pretty much leaves parking brake shoes, adjustments, and discs.

1) I do suspect I have an issue with one shoe which could be causing this problem.

2) I may not have removed enough of the rust ridge on the parking brake drum. This may have prevented me from getting the shoes adjusted out enough to seat within specification. I'll take my dremel to that ridge as well.

3) One thing to note is the parking brake actuator at the wheel. When servicing this, make sure it remains engaged with the adjuster. I will have to check for this, but I know the first time I installed it, the actuator slipped out and I had to back everything off again and reinstall.