2001 Park brake adjustment

natedog_74 · January 30, 2007

Ok I used the search and didn't find anything. How do you adjust the parking brake on a 2001 GMC Sierra 4x4? The park brake is very loose and the truck doesn't even bog when idleing in gear with it set. It just rolls along. So how do i adjust it to start working again. The brake are fine btw.

unsolved · January 31, 2007

If the E-brake does not return by itself after releasing it the cable is most likely broke. If it does release by itself pull it several times. If the self adjusters are working correctly and the brake shoes are good it will start to tighten up. If it's been a while it's likely to take a long time to tighten up. If it does not tighten up or it's been several years since the rear brakes have been serviced it's time for a brake job.

To more thoroughly answer your question: There are self adjusters in the rear brakes that keep the shoes tight against the drum and working at optimal performance. However if the E-brake isn't frequently used the shoes wear down and the parking brake will no longer work due to the self adjuster not adjusting due to the parking brake not being used to adjust them correctly.

GatorFan · January 31, 2007

If the E-brake does not return by itself after releasing it the cable is most likely broke. If it does release by itself pull it several times. If the self adjusters are working correctly and the brake shoes are good it will start to tighten up. If it's been a while it's likely to take a long time to tighten up. If it does not tighten up or it's been several years since the rear brakes have been serviced it's time for a brake job.

To more thoroughly answer your question: There are self adjusters in the rear brakes that keep the shoes tight against the drum and working at optimal performance. However if the E-brake isn't frequently used the shoes wear down and the parking brake will no longer work due to the self adjuster not adjusting due to the parking brake not being used to adjust them correctly.

Do you do the same thing to adjust the E-brake if the truck has rear disc instead of drum brakes?

asepgrad98 · January 31, 2007

take the rear rotor off and youll find the park brake shoe. there is a little star wheel that you rotate clockwise that pushes out the shoes.

however, you may find that the shoe has been rubbing against the rotor while driving which destroyed the shoe and the rotor due to a crappy design. GM came out with updated clips for this problem. hell, GM even recalled all the manual transmission truck for defective parking brake but not the autos even though they have THE SAME PARKING BRAKE

spackelman · January 31, 2007

take the rear rotor off and youll find the park brake shoe. there is a little star wheel that you rotate clockwise that pushes out the shoes.

however, you may find that the shoe has been rubbing against the rotor while driving which destroyed the shoe and the rotor due to a crappy design. GM came out with updated clips for this problem. hell, GM even recalled all the manual transmission truck for defective parking brake but not the autos even though they have THE SAME PARKING BRAKE

In the spring I planned on replacing my rear pads and e-brake shoes. Got a price from the dealer for the e-shoes - over $200 a pair x2 wheels = +$400 - OUCH...

Hopefully, they will be able to be adjusted.

natedog_74 · January 31, 2007

I will try the set and release method and see if it tightens up. If not I will take it to my brake place and let them look at it. MOst of the time I won't use it but I like the extra security of the parking brake sometimes. (like with a trailer or camper)

alvocado · February 3, 2007

take the rear rotor off and youll find the park brake shoe. there is a little star wheel that you rotate clockwise that pushes out the shoes.

however, you may find that the shoe has been rubbing against the rotor while driving which destroyed the shoe and the rotor due to a crappy design. GM came out with updated clips for this problem. hell, GM even recalled all the manual transmission truck for defective parking brake but not the autos even though they have THE SAME PARKING BRAKE

In the spring I planned on replacing my rear pads and e-brake shoes. Got a price from the dealer for the e-shoes - over $200 a pair x2 wheels = +$400 - OUCH...

Hopefully, they will be able to be adjusted.

Perhaps the rear brakes are different on your '02 vs. my Yukon but I paid around $45/ea for the ebrake shoes at the dealer. You only need one shoe per wheel. It's a single ring with the friction material on the outside. Assuming you are doing a rear brake job and have the rotors pulled, it doesn't take much to swap out the ebrake shoes. Mine were chipped and cracked after 50k miles.