E Brake

[rz470]

Emergency parking brake handle
the other day I pull the handle up as I parked it works and stop the vehicle but the handle does not stay in lock position .is this something normal with these GX,s to fail ?.do I need to take the middle console out to fix it?

 

[RCsGX]

Check to see if the handle button is stuck in the "in" position. If it is, that's your problem. Try raising it up and down really quick to try and free the button. If that doesn't help unzip the boot to see if you can see anything out of the ordinary.

*You can also remove the upper center console to get a better look at the parking brake handle*


If you don't see anything you're probably going to need a new e-brake handle because you can't open the handle to fix the button.

 

[rz470]

Thanks RCsGX as long as we have you on this site we can repair these GX,s with out ever seeing a mechanic may be you should start charging by thread .
I feel unfortunately it is inside the handle but well I give it try .thanks again

 

[470reasons]

Had a similar problem on a Honda awhile back. Turned out nothing was broken. The pawl in the ratchet assembly just moved out of position.
Too much slack in the emergency brake cables allowed the pawl to slip out of position inside the E-brake lever assembly. If I remember correctly, I was able to pop the locking pawl back on to the gear with a screwdriver. Then tighten that adjusting nut shown in RCsGX's diagram to take the slack out of the cables. If your parking brake cables have quite a bit of slack in them with the E-brake off, this might be your problem. (Just taking the excess slack out of the cables may start the ratchet working again.)
Good luck!

This diagram is for an E-brake pedal but the idea is the same.


Then there's the possibility the previous owner removed the pawl to facilitate performing "bootleg turns". Better hope that's not the case! LOL
"Bootleg Turns" in a GX? Crazy!

 

[rz470]

Thanks 470 reason for info . as I mentioned in one my thread half of the weight of this vehicle hanging below the frame(( and the other half is way the hell up on top any attempt to do as you called "bootleturn " could be very Knievel .I know the old lady that owned this GX the only thing she loved to do she was doing 180 turn in revers

 

[Jameym00]

Mined ones the same thing in the winter. Spray some white lithium grease around the button and it's fixed.

 

[470reasons]

Mined ones the same thing in the winter. Spray some white lithium grease around the button and it's fixed.

Good suggestion Jameym00! Always best to try the easy fix first. I hope he hasn't started tearing things apart yet.
((( If the lithium grease doesn't work, try lithium grease and a hammer! )))

 

[rz470]

o already try the hammer ))

 

[rz470]

Strange thing with this brake handle if I pull it real fast it will lock but if I pull the handle normal way the handle dose not lock in the position .

 

[470reasons]

Strange thing with this brake handle if I pull it real fast it will lock but if I pull the handle normal way the handle dose not lock in the position .

That brings it back to loose cables/worn parking brake shoes. From what I understand there's and adjustment for the parking brake shoes and another for the cables. (Parking brake does not use the pads to hold the car.)

I guess we should stop calling it an emergency brake. Correct terminology is 'parking brake'.

 

[rz470]

Thanks 470 reason for info .by the way the reason I call it E brake is because I use it in emergency situation to stop the vehicle.

 

[LifeOverland]

Reviving this old thread. Just picked up an '04 with 123k on it and the parking brake won't stay up and no ratcheting. Thanks for the hints and service manual photos. Any resolution rz470?

 

[Onefastrx7turbo]

I had an issue with my GX when I bought it. The button would stick in the "in" position and I would have to grab it and pull it out. The button felt like there was dried soda or something sticky impeding the release. I took the entire assembly out of the truck and tried to clean and lubricate with no success. Finally, I decided to grind one side of the pin off and repair it with a bolt or something. Once the head of the pin was off, the button was 100% free. The pin shows no signs of backing out and almost 2 years later, I have no issues and a perfectly functioning E brake button.

 

[GXO]

I know how to service, adjust, and set the ebrake. That said, I gladly get it done EVERY time when I take my truck in for oil. I know how to do that too, but I hate getting rid of oil and I like their coffee bar where I can work on their wifi