Parking Brakes Need Replaced

[PNW_IT_Guy]

I bought my 2010 Yukon about a year ago and it's never had hardly any parking brakes since I've had it. The pedal has tension, so I think the cable is pulling and I'm guessing the shoes need replaced (not surprising at nearly 200k). I've been planning on replacing them but since they are under the rear rotors, I thought I should do the rear brakes at the same time. Thing is that a shop just checked the brakes and told me that the rear brake pads are fine. Is it crazy to go to all that work removing the calipers and rotors to just replace the parking brake shoes? I certainly wouldn't mind saving some money on my parts order.

 

[rdezs]

If you're on a tight budget, nothing wrong with just going in for the parking brakes.

If a shop tells you your brake pads are fine, that doesn't mean much other than they have the minimum pad material still there. Did they give you an idea what percent they're worn?

The cable might just need adjusting. (Under the left side of the vehicle, easily accessible)

Couple months ago did a complete brake job including parking brake, rotors, pads calipers on the 2014 Escalade, maybe 160,000 miles at the time. Parking brake had zero wear. Probably rarely used when you have an automatic transmission and it's in park.

 

[j91z28d1]

the parking break is adjustable. it's probably stuck if it hasn't been apart before. but unless you've left the parking brake on and drove it. the pads doesn't really wear much. unless say a axle seal is leaking and it throws fluid on it.


either way, slide the rotor off, if it's dry find and free up the adjuster and adjust a bit.

new pads are pretty cheap and I only replace them because of the axle seals. but the 135k mile ones like the same thickness as the new ones.

 

[OR VietVet]

I don't know where in the PNW you are but almost all of us that do live in the PNW, don't have to worry about rust. Park brake shoes don't really "wear out" unless the vehicle was driven with them on or they could also get axle seal leak fluid on them as well but if adjusted correctly, they should hold. I think the next step is to disassemble and see what you actually have going.