parking/emergency brake

siume99 · April 4, 2002

I've been noticing lately, that my parking brake has more play in it than it used to when I let off the brake in park. I've also recently noticed that even with the floor mats out, the brake lever is touching the floor. This doesn't sound right. I remember looking at the cabling under the truck a few weeks back and noticed the Y split (about in the middle of the truck on the driver's side) for the brakes has an adjustment. (brainstorming now) Do I just need to tighten (take up slack) the connection there? I don't mind turning wrenches until they deal with brakes. My truck has its 1st birthday on Apr 6, is this type of adjustment covered under warranty?

chevy4x4trucks · April 4, 2002

Just a turn of the wrench should take care of it for you. I had to mess w/ mine when I did the body lift. Just tighten it up a bit and see if that takes care of the problem for you.

siume99 · April 4, 2002

Is this an adjustment that is typical of the newer trucks? Even without modifying the suspension and such?

chevy4x4trucks · April 4, 2002

I would think that over time w/ use the pads would wear down and the cable would stretch a bit. Otherwise why add an adjustment area. I had to loosen mine after I initially reinstalled it. It seemed like it was too tight, the truck slowed down too much when I let off the gas. After I loosened it there were no more problems. I don't know how well the parking brake works since I've probably used it about 5 times since I've gotten the truck.

siume99 · April 4, 2002

I would think that over time w/ use the pads would wear down and the cable would stretch a bit. Otherwise why add an adjustment area.

I totally agree. I know with bicycles, after you buy one or install new brake or shifting cables that you need to readjust the cabling after a month or so.

Here is something else to ponder (though I don't know how relevant). I was wondering if the parking brake was engaging all the way, perhaps it was just settling back on the transmission slowly. Well I tried to back up with my parking brake on. I didn't put too much torque on it, but I didn't seem to budge. ??? Thinking now, I should make it a point to compare the play with and without the parking brake on.

SFPegasus · April 4, 2002

These things were "designed" to be a low-effort parking brake. Problems arise in cities like San Francisco where you really need a bit more bite in the brake. The dealer adjusted mine without question.

chainsaw4130 · April 4, 2002

Could someone please tell me exactly where this Y-Split is, I need to adjust my e-brake.

chevy4x4trucks · April 4, 2002

Look at the drivers side along the frame rail.

You can see it disconnected in this picture. The silver line is one of the rear cables, and the adjuster is disconnected:

Shaners · April 4, 2002

Although I've never looked at one, I've been told there is a "Star" adjuster on the mechanism inside the rear drum. These rear parking brakes only have a single shoe on each wheel.

Don99 · April 4, 2002

Although I've never looked at one, I've been told there is a "Star" adjuster on the mechanism inside the rear drum. These rear parking brakes only have a single shoe on each wheel.

That's true. The parking brake on the new Silverado is located INSIDE the rear brake rotor. You have to remove the caliper then the rotor and you'll see the parking brake assembly and the star adjuster. I've had to adjust mine twice to make it hold on the boat ramp. I'll also add that you're gonna need an 18mm socket and a pretty long breaker bar to get the caliper off. The cable adjustment on all the new silverados I've seen are screwed all the way in from the factory.

Don