Parking brake:

ClipperSkipper · February 16, 2002

Hello people I am new to this forum however

quite impressed! I'm wondering the parking

brake goes to the floor on my 2001 Sierra and

it failed safety inspection here in MA.

The turnbuckle under the cab is tightened

down to the stop and I don't see any adjustments

elsehwere. Any assistance is appreciated. Thanks!

Shaners · February 16, 2002

Welcome Clipper Skipper!!!

The parking brake in your new truck is actually a "drum" brake. It is located inside the rear "hat" of the rear disc. I believe there is the standard "star" adjuster in there. Someone please correct me or add to this if they can...

Dihappy · February 16, 2002

Im sick of my E Brake also. I was told that it held at the dealer, but it doesnt hold on an incline.

I believe they are little drums, but i dont know if you can get to them.

Ill be taking mine back to get it fixed, again.

ClipperSkipper · February 17, 2002

Thank you for all of your replies: I did speak with a buddy

today who owns a shop with AllData on DVD which has

some current data for the 2001 Sierra. This is a drum

within a disc (for parking) setup. Alldata said that there

is self-adjust assembly inside the drum. I'll pull the caliper

and harp off tomorrow and scope it out. BTW, there are

no aftermarket (Raybestos) shoes yet available. When I

do get some price and availabilty, and hopefully a good fix

to this E-brake situation, I will certainly post it.

The question is did these brakes never hold, not hold for long?

We bought our truck used so it would assist us in a campain

as there is no TSB on the Parking brake as of yet.

Hey do you remember earlier posts in the Usenet newsgroups, one click on the parking brake will turn off your DRL's...perhaps this is what happened? Press 'Dome Overide"

in these new trucks for six seconds, and the DRL's go to sleep.

Thank you all for your input...

ClipperSkipper

Dihappy · February 17, 2002

Thanks Clipper!

Plz post if you are able to adjust them.

Shaners · February 17, 2002

Clipper,

I think there was an E-brake TSB, but I don't think it addressed the real problem. I wish I had the TSB# to give you....

rockshaker · February 18, 2002

My parking brake didn't work either. The shoes were totally worn out. They are one piece about 8" or so around. There is a star wheel adjuster on them, but I don't think they are self adjusting. I got some new ones from Dal Slabaugh at Van Devere Olds in Akron Ohio. There number is 1.800.362.9494 and ask for him to get a good price on stuff and tell him where you heard about him. Two new shoes were about $34 plus shipping. They are easy to install, just watch out and don't break the little screw off in the caliper bracket that holds the shoe retaining clip like I did So I rigged the clip back on with some baling wire. Hey, better than pulling the axles to drill it out, right?

Dihappy · February 18, 2002

Rockshaker,

Wish you coulda taken pics of the install

You say it was easy?

Does the E-Brake work well now?

Does the pedal go to the floor?

Thanks man!

rockshaker · February 18, 2002

Yeah it was easy. Just remove the wheel, caliper and rotor and there it is. The shoe is a little hard to get over the axle flange, but just keep messing with it and it will go. I had to adjust the new shoes because the inside of the drum was worn, but it works like it is supposed to. The pedal is "tight" and the parking brake starts to grab after 2 or 3 inches. I don't think I could push it to the floor if I had to! I don't have a digital camera anyway. It's easy once you see how it works. I still haven't figured out how the previous owner wore them out so bad. They must have used them as THE brakes or something. Even to turn the DRLs off I don't think would wear them out. Have fun!

Brian

MountaineerTom · February 18, 2002

I still haven't figured out how the previous owner wore them out so bad. They must have used them as THE brakes or something.

Kind of sounds like they did if the inside of the housing was worn. That's odd.

Mine goes to the floor, but it holds really well. My driveway is on a pretty steep incline and it's always held it with no problem. I guess I'll keep an eye on it though.

General Lee 01 · February 18, 2002

I still haven't figured out how the previous owner wore them out so bad. They must have used them as THE brakes or something.

Kind of sounds like they did if the inside of the housing was worn. That's odd.

If they tested them like my grandfather does his, it would be apparent.

How does he test them you ask?

He goes down a gravel road @30+mph and slams the P-brake Pedal down Hard.

Dihappy · February 18, 2002

Ill tell you how they got worn: They Suck!!

I have never abused my Parking Brake and it sucks!

All they way down to the floor, and if you have been driving it all day and get home and park on an incline it doesnt hold.

####, sometimes it doesnt hold even if they arent heated up.

Did you say it was just ONE brake shoe for each side?

Ill have to call around and get me a pair.

rockshaker · February 18, 2002

Yes, Dihappy, there is one per side. It is a round piece of c-channel shaped steel about 8" in diameter. There is a primary and secondary ("short and long pieces") of friction material bonded to the steel shoe. The shoe has a gap at the bottom where it goes over the actuator/adjuster. The shoes are interchangeable between sides, just put them on so the short piece of friction material goes toward the front of the truck. There are even instructions in the box.

Brian