Parking brake doesn't engage

[hadji_85]

When i pull up the parking lever there is no force applied to the brakes (its like i didn't even attempt to engage the brakes). Also when i pull up the brake handle it is wayyyyy to easy to pull up. Does this need to be adjusted at the lever, seems way too off to just adjust at the lever. Is it possible the cable is sticking somewhere??

I ask because i seem to be having the opposite problem that alot of ppl are having (everyone seems to have a brake that keeps engaging). Although i suppose the brake could have engaged on its own until it ran down to nothing in which case i have the same problem alot of other ppl are having.

 

[fzj80kidpen]

The way I understand it you shoud NEVER adjust the parking brake at the lever. Search up on it. It has been discussed many times.
Sorry I have not had to mess with mine but will soon.

 

[DTAYLOR]

There is one

The rear brake rotors have a drum brake inside the rotor hat. The drum brake is the parking brake. Just like any other drum brake it has an adjustment mechanism in the form of a wheel. I don't remember if there is an adjustment hole or if you have to remove the rotor to adjust them.

It has a rubber cover over it, just like regular drum brakes. The adjustment seems critical, lots of brake for little adjustment.

 

[drsales]

I have had to take apart the brake assemblies on both rear wheels and recondition them. Oil and grease. Up here in the salt and rust country they tend to rust and loose their function. This has happened on my 95 and 2000. Just regular pm in the north.

 

[Cruiser804]

FSM says to adjust them so they no longer turn freely then back it off 8 notches.

 

[Cruiser804]

Dude, check the mechanism on the back of the backing plate at each wheel. I found one of mine was frozen and this made the p-brake very, very weak. I took a brass hammer and gently tapped it in and then used a small pry bar to work it out. Sprayed it down with some WD-40 (not sure if thats the best). And just kept working it in an out. It soon freed up total and now the brake work great.

Then mechanism has 2 springs and a limiter on it. IIRC when the p-brake is engaged the limiter should be off the backing plate. and when it is not engaged standing off. In any case, if it is the same with the brake handle up or down this could very well be your problem.

Hope this helps.

 

[LongMonster]

It seems this is a very common problem. A good search word is "Bellcrank", you'll be enlightened on all things e-brakes. The bellcrank is what typically is seizing and not allowing the brake to engage and release.

Mine took some serious work to get it loose. Lots of BFH, PB blaster, patience, etc to get it to work. If it is bad enough you can get a rebuild kit. I plan to keep mine well greased and hopefully it wil last this time. Good Luck