LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone
Home >> Chevrolet >> 2002 >> Astro Van Passenger, AWD >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 57 (Disc Brakes) >> Trouble Shooting >> General Diagnosis (Parking Brake) >> Parking Brake System Diagnosis

Parking Brake System Diagnosis

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 GMC Safari and 2003 Chevrolet Astro. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Were you sent here from a Hydraulic Brake Symptom List? If so, go to step  4. If not, go to next step.
  2. Were you sent here from a Parking Brake Symptom List? If so, go to step  4. If not, go to next step.
  3. Is the symptom related to the ability of the parking brake system to hold and/or release? If so, go to GENERAL DIAGNOSIS (PARKING BRAKE) . If not, go to GENERAL DIAGNOSIS (HYDRAULIC BRAKES) .
  4. Raise and support vehicle with the rear axle supported by jack stands. Shift transmission into Neutral. With parking brake RELEASED, attempt to rotate rear wheels to check rear brakes for a significant amount of drag. Do the rear brakes have a significant amount of drag? If so, go to step  11. If not, go to next step.
  5. Shift transmission into Neutral. Apply parking brake. Attempt to rotate rear wheels to check rear brakes for a significant amount of drag. Do the rear brakes have a significant amount of drag? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  7.
  6. Release parking brake. Rotate rear wheels to check rear brakes for a significant reduction in the amount of drag. Did rear brakes exhibit a significant reduction in the amount of drag? If so, go to step  22. If not, go to step  11.
  7. Visually check the parking brake cable connections and the cables that are accessible on the UNDERSIDE of the vehicle for disconnections and/or damage. Were any or the parking brake cables disconnected and/or damaged? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  9.
  8. Reconnect or replace the parking brake cables as necessary. After repairs, go to next step.
  9. Check the adjustment of the parking brake. See PARKING BRAKE  under ADJUSTMENTS. Was the parking brake adjusted properly? If so, go to step  11. If not, go to next step.
  10. Adjust parking brake. See PARKING BRAKE  under ADJUSTMENTS. Were you able to attain adjustment of the parking brake? If so, go to step  16. If not, go to next step.
    11. NOTE: Do not depress the brake pedal with the brake rotors and/or the brake drums removed, or with the brake calipers repositioned away from the brake rotors, or damage to the brake system may result.
  11. Inspect the parking brake hardware for loose, damaged, broken or missing components. Check drum brake adjusters for a seized condition. Does the parking brake hardware and/or the parking brake adjusters require replacement? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  13.
  12. Replace parking brake hardware components as necessary. After completing repair, go to next step.
  13. Have an assistant apply and release the parking brake, while you observe the parking brake cables for free movement. Did the parking brake cables move freely? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  17.
  14. Check adjustment of parking brake. See PARKING BRAKE  under ADJUSTMENTS. Was parking brake adjusted properly? If so, go to step  16. If not, go to next step.
  15. Adjust parking brake. See PARKING BRAKE  under ADJUSTMENTS. Were you able to attain adjustment of the parking brake? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  26.
  16. With the transmission still in Neutral, apply parking brake. Attempt to rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant amount of drag. Release parking brake. Rotate rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant reduction of drag. Did parking brake apply and release properly? If so, go to step  26. If not, go to PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD OR RELEASE .
  17. Disconnect the parking brake cable connections that are accessible on the underside of the vehicle one at a time and check each cable for free movement. Do any of the parking brake cables accessible on the underside of the vehicle require replacement? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  19.
  18. Replace any of the parking brake cables that do not have free movement (not releasing properly). After repairs, go to next step.
  19. Disconnect the front parking brake cable connection accessible INSIDE the vehicle at the parking brake pedal assembly and check for free movement. Replace the front parking brake cable if it does not have free movement. See PARKING BRAKE CABLE (FRONT)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Did you find and correct a condition? If so, go to step  24. If not, go to next step.
  20. Disconnect the parking brake release handle assembly cable connection from the parking brake pedal assembly and check for free movement. Replace the parking brake release handle assembly if the release cable does not have free movement. See PARKING BRAKE RELEASE HANDLE  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Did you find and correct a condition? If so, go to step  24. If not, go to next step.
  21. Replace parking brake pedal assembly (not releasing properly). See PARKING BRAKE PEDAL  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After completing repair, go to step  25.
  22. Check the adjustment of the parking brake. See PARKING BRAKE  under ADJUSTMENTS. Was the parking brake adjusted properly? If so, go to step  28. If not, go to next step.
  23. Adjust parking brake. See PARKING BRAKE  under ADJUSTMENTS. Were you able to attain adjustment of the parking brake? If so, go to step  27. If not, go to next step.
  24. Check the adjustment of the parking brake. See PARKING BRAKE  under ADJUSTMENTS. Was the parking brake adjusted properly? If so, go to step  27. If not, go to next step.
  25. Adjust parking brake. See PARKING BRAKE  under ADJUSTMENTS. Were you able to attain adjustment of the parking brake? If so, go to next step. If not, go to PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD OR RELEASE .
  26. Replace the component that is used to adjust the parking brake system. See PARKING BRAKE EQUALIZER  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Adjust the parking brake. See PARKING BRAKE  under ADJUSTMENTS. Did you complete the replacement and adjustment? If so, go to next step. If not, go to PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD OR RELEASE .
  27. With the transmission still in NEUTRAL, apply the parking brake. Attempt to rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant amount of drag. Release the parking brake. Rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant reduction of drag. Did the parking brake apply and release properly? If so, go to next step. If not, go to go to PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD OR RELEASE .
  28. Install or connect any components that were removed or disconnected during diagnosis. Did you complete the operation? If system is okay, repair is complete. If not, see PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD OR RELEASE .
scientia non olet · About LEMON Manuals