Parking Brake Issues

[Ol' Smoky]

I got a parking brake that just dosent do anything and I cant figure out why, i have a 95' f-150 cab and 85' dana axle with rebuilt brakes, adjusted correctly, and all cables work properly. The brake will hold if there is barely any incline but it starts to roll just about everywhere around here. I dont know if there are different methods used for cable length adjustments that i dont have on my rig but any help would be appreciated.

 

[Optikalillushun]

What does the equalizer look like? If its the kind with the long threaded rod and nut have fun adjusting it.

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

Look alongside the larboard frame-rail, depending on wheel-base length usually just aft of the cab on the outer side of the frame; you should see a long threaded rod where the single brake-cable from the cab/pedal joins the two individual cables that proceed to the rear wheels.

AFTER the individual brake-shoes on both sides have been properly adjusted, the parking-brake can then be fine-tuned by adjusting that long threaded rod.

I recommend you soak it with the knocker-loose of your choice several times a day for several days prior to messing with it; otherwise, all you will accomplish is to snap the rod in two.

Once the nut is freed up and can be removed, run a thread die the entire length of the threads on the rod to clean up any imperfections.

Coat it generously with anti-sieze.

Re-assemble and make your adjustments.

Often, replacement cables will differ in length from the ones being replaced, thus necessitating this adjustment.


I have sometimes had to take up some of the slack by adding a couple cable-clamps onto the single cable; if this becomes necessary, you will see what and where I am meaning.

Hope this helps.

 

[Optikalillushun]

Aint that the truth Midnght. My Napa Crapa replacements (for my F-150) were spot on lenght but the Advance ones (for my 88 F-350) were to long. Talk about a nightmare adjusting the dam brakes!