Parking Brake Adjustment (Drum Brake)
NOTE:
The park brake cable adjusting nut is a nylon lock type. Use ONLY HAND TOOLS whenever tightening or loosening the adjusting nut.
- Apply and fully release the park brake several times. Verify that the park brake lever releases completely.
- Turn ON the ignition. Verify the red BRAKE warning lamp is not illuminated.
- If the red BRAKE warning lamp is illuminated, verify the following:
- The park brake lever is in the fully released position and against the stop.
- There is no slack in the park brake cables.
- If the red BRAKE warning lamp remained illuminated and there were no other visible causes, refer to Symptoms - Hydraulic Brakes .
- Turn OFF the ignition.
- Remove the front floor console. Refer to Front Floor Console Replacement (Buick)Front Floor Console Replacement (Chevrolet) .
With the park brake lever in the released position, loosen the adjusting nut (1) enough to completely relieve tension on the front cable.
- Raise and support the vehicle. Raise the vehicle just enough to allow rear tire and wheel assembly removal and rear drum adjustment. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
- Remove the rear tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
- Adjust the rear drum brakes. Refer to Drum Brake Adjustment .
- Ensure there is no brake shoe drag after adjustment by rotating the brake drums. If drag exists, re-center the brake shoes and perform the brake shoe adjustment again.
- Install 2 wheel nuts to the wheel studs and firmly hand tighten in order to retain the brake drums.
- Fully release the park brake lever.
- Tighten the park brake cable adjusting nut (1) until the threaded portion of the front park brake cable extends beyond the adjusting nut approximately 20 mm (0.79 in).
- Apply the park brake lever.
- Attempt to rotate the rear brake drums. There should be no rotation forward or rearward.
- Fully release the park brake lever.
- Verify the park brake is released by rotating the rear brake drums. The drums should rotate freely and exhibit no brake shoe drag.
- If the drums do not rotate freely, repeat the park brake cable adjustment procedure.
- Raise the park brake lever 3 detent positions and attempt to rotate the rear brake drums:
- One of the brake drums should not rotate forward or rearward.
- The other brake drum should not rotate forward or rearward, or should require substantial effort to rotate.
- Raise the park brake lever one additional detent position and attempt to rotate the rear brake drums.
- Verify that the left and right brake drums cannot be rotated.
- Remove the wheel nuts retaining the brake drums.
- Install the rear tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
- Lower the vehicle.
- Install the front floor console. Refer to Front Floor Console Replacement (Buick)Front Floor Console Replacement (Chevrolet) .
- Release the park brake lever.
CAUTION:
Refer to Fastener Caution .