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Home >> Saturn >> 2003 >> Ion 1 Standard >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Brakes >> Mechanical - Hydraulic >> Disc Brakes & Drum Brakes >> Adjustments >> Parking Brake

Parking Brake

NOTE: There are 2 front parking brake cable designs used on this vehicle. The second design allows for more service adjustment. If adjustment cannot be achieved, remove front cable and measure length from the tip of threaded rod to the underside or rounded end of the bullet.
  • First design cable is 9.49" (241.0 mm) long.
  • Second design cable is 9.09" (231.0 mm) long.
  1. Apply and fully release parking brake several times. Verify that parking brake lever releases completely.
  2. Turn ignition on. Verify the Red BRAKE warning light is not illuminated.
  3. If the Red BRAKE warning light is illuminated, ensure that parking brake lever is in the fully released position and against the stop. Ensure that there is no slack in the parking brake cable.
  4. Turn ignition off.
  5. Release parking brake lever boot from the floor console by applying light pressure inward on the sides of the boot retainer.
  6. Pull boot away from the console to expose the front parking brake cable adjusting nut. See Fig 1.
  7. With parking brake lever in the released position, using ONLY HAND TOOLS, loosen the adjusting nut completely to the end of the front cable threaded rod.
  8. Raise and support vehicle.
  9. Remove rear wheels.
  10. Adjust rear drum brakes. See DRUM BRAKE ADJUSTMENT .
  11. Ensure that there is no brake shoe drag after adjustment by rotating the brake drums. If drag exists, re-center the brake shoes and perform brake shoe adjustment again.
  12. Install 2 wheel lug nuts to wheel studs and firmly hand tighten in order to retain brake drums.
  13. Lower vehicle to permit access to parking brake lever.
  14. Raise parking brake lever 6 detent positions.
  15. Using ONLY HAND TOOLS, tighten the parking brake cable adjusting nut. Tighten nut to 35 INCH lbs. (3.9 N.m).
  16. Attempt to rotate the rear brake drums. There should be no forward or rearward rotation.
  17. Fully release parking brake lever.
  18. Verify that parking brake is released by rotating the rear brake drums. The drums should rotate freely and exhibit no brake shoe drag.
  19. If the drums do not rotate freely, repeat the parking brake cable adjustment procedure. See PARKING BRAKE .
  20. Pull up on parking 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.
  21. Pull up on the parking brake lever one additional detent position and attempt to rotate the rear brake drums.
  22. Verify that the left and right brake drums cannot be rotated.
  23. Raise vehicle.
  24. Remove wheel lug nuts retaining the brake drums.
  25. Install rear wheels.
  26. Lower vehicle.
  27. Position parking brake lever boot to the floor console and press the boot retainer into place to secure boot.
  28. Release parking brake lever.
Fig 1: Locating Parking Brake Cable Adjusting Nut
G00277762Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
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