Rear Disc Brake Emergency Brakes???

rahtreelimbs · June 17, 2005

I have a 1500 4x4. Upon getting the truck run thru my states inspection the mechanic told me that my emergency brakes were only partially working. What is involved with tearing down the rear brakes to gain access to the e-brake? Can anyone shed sopme light on how these work?

Jacqson · June 17, 2005

I have a 1500 4x4. Upon getting the truck run thru my states inspection the mechanic told me that my emergency brakes were only partially working. What is involved with tearing down the rear brakes to gain access to the e-brake? Can anyone shed sopme light on how these work?

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If you have rear discs the parking brake is inside the rear disc rotor and is cable operated on both sides of the axle. If you remove the rear disc rotor you will see a set of brake shoes which look like small drum brake shoes. These are expanded into the rear rotor when you step on the parking brake. Check to see if these shoes or your manual brake cable is operating properly. The shoes, the inside of the rotor or the cable could be worn out. I hope this helps.

Kania2k1 · June 17, 2005

I've got to do this also, but when I got inspected they failed it, which has become a yearly occurance with my dealership. Anyways, they wanted something like $400 to do the work. But if you pick up a Haynes manual on the trucks, they walk you through what you need to do. It is somewhat involved, and you might want to save a weekend to do it, as these sorts of projects always take longer than expected! Good luck

red3171 · June 18, 2005

There is a clip that holds the parking brake shoes in place. The original clip in my 2001 Tahoe did not hold the shoes well, and thus, limited parking brakes. I spoke to a GM mechanic buddy of mine about the issue and he said GM has an upgraded design of the clip. I replaced the clip and shoes with the current design, and my parking brake has been working great.

shiden_kai · June 18, 2005

I have a 1500 4x4. Upon getting the truck run thru my states inspection the mechanic told me that my emergency brakes were only partially working. What is involved with tearing down the rear brakes to gain access to the e-brake? Can anyone shed sopme light on how these work?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not much is involved really. Two bolts hold the rear

calipers in place. Remove the rear caliper, slide off

the rotor. There is an 8mm (5/16) bolt that holds the

park brake shoe retaining clip in place. Remove that

and the clip. Push the shoe off the adjuster...and then

walk the shoe around the axle shaft to get it off. You

should get the new style retaining clip with the new

shoes. Re-install the shoe, make your manual adjustment

to the shoe until you can just slip the rotor over the shoe.

Should work fine after that. Note: don't attempt to make

any adjustment at the brake cables, even though it looks

like an adjuster...it's not. Also: it's normal even when the

shoes are brand new and properly adjusted for the park

brake pedal to go all the way to floor. As long as the park

brake holds, that's all that matters.

Ian

asepgrad98 · June 19, 2005

good "how to" shiden_kai

only thing i would add is that if the shoe has rubbed metal to metal on the rotor you most likely need a rotor also

shiden_kai · June 19, 2005

only thing i would add is that if the shoe has rubbed metal to metal on the rotor you most likely need a rotor also

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, good point....we certainly don't make

any attempt to machine the "drum in hat"

section.

Ian

andy_agp · June 26, 2006

Great write-up. Also, want to add the following after my experience last weekend. When making the manual adjustment to the brake, before you slide the rotor over the brake to test the adjustment -- make sure you re-install the brake retaining clip. I did not re-install the clip, and one side went fine, but on the other side the rotor and the brake grabbed and it took me 20 minutes of pulling before it finally released. Next time I will re-install the retaining clips after each adjustment.

the blur · July 27, 2006

on my 03 Denali, the old clips look the exact same as the new clip.

I don't see what the difference is.

Hotwire · December 5, 2006

Holy old post, I know.

Does anyone have a part # for the clip? My "parking" brake does not work at all after replacing the shoe and has failed inspection. Anything else I should look for while I have it apart?

warren2 · December 5, 2006

When I had the problem the new type pin came in the packaging with the new shoes. After examing it I noticed that it was very different from teh clip the dealer had put in as part of there product recall. The day after I changed it my truck passed inspection and I have actually had no problems with my parking brake since.

Holy old post, I know.

Does anyone have a part # for the clip? My "parking" brake does not work at all after replacing the shoe and has failed inspection. Anything else I should look for while I have it apart?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hotwire · December 5, 2006

Preciate the info, where did you purchase the shoes from / brand?

I looked around and found the GM part number, 8898-2878

Around here dealers want $76 for the kit, I'm thankfully getting it for $57.

Jeff

Hotwire · December 6, 2006

well, just got in from the garage, my shoes still look untouched from when I installed them about a year ago. I just adjusted the star adjusters till I could about get the rotors back on, loosened the nut on the equalizer and NOW I HAVE PARKING BRAKES AGAIN!!!! I fired my truck up, put it in gear and hit the gas, that mother isn't moving!