My "emergency" Brake

Philip Shantz · January 30, 2008

Before I bought my new (to me, anyway) 2001 Silverado last week I had it thoroughly checked out by the excellent mechanic I've been taking my cars to for a long time. He found no problems and gave it an very good overall review considering it's mileage (114,000) but did recommend that I have some things done fairly soon, just as routine maintenance for a truck it's age. (I took his printed results and repair estimate to the dealer and he agreed to drop the price by that amount, so it's a nice freebie...)

I'm dropping the truck off tomorrow and he's going to do the following: replace plugs and wires, replace fuel filter, do a full fuel injection service (clean injectors, fuel rail, and throttle body), check fuel pressure regulator, fuel pressure and flow, Automatic transmission service including flush system (fluid lines, cooler, and transmission), replace filter and pan gasket, refill with new fluid and lubeguard additive, drain and refill transfer case fluid, and test drive.

My question, however, has nothing to do with the above, it's about the emergency/parking brake. When I finished my first test drive in this truck I put on the emergency brake and it seemed to go almost to the floor. I didn't think anything of it, and when I took the truck to the abovementioned mechanic I asked if he could adjust the emergency brake.

When I went back to pick it up, he said he couldn't do anything, it was inherent in the poor design by GM.

Yesterday I parked on the slightest hill, put on the e-brake, and took my foot off the regular brake to let the truck "setle back" before I put it into park. Well, it wouldn't stop rolling back with the e-brake on even on this slight hill.

This has me very concerned, not only about getting locked in "park" (a relatively minor annoyance), but -- I bought this truck specifically to haul (and PARK) a 3000 lb camper, and I can't always (and shouldn't have to!) guarantee that I park only on the level...

So, HELP!...please...?

Philip

bobcat5544 · January 30, 2008

You can adjust the parking brake. under the truck on the drivers side frame rail look for the parking brake cable(s). you will see where the cable will go from one cable to two cables. At that point you should see the adjuster. With a pair of pliers hold the bracket and with a 13mm or 15mm deep socket you and turn the adjuster to make it tighter.

Note: The parking brake pedel will not feel much different after tightning.

Before doing any adjustment check both parking brake pads for wear. You must remove the rotor to check them.

Zembonez · January 31, 2008

You can adjust the parking brake. under the truck on the drivers side frame rail look for the parking brake cable(s). you will see where the cable will go from one cable to two cables. At that point you should see the adjuster. With a pair of pliers hold the bracket and with a 13mm or 15mm deep socket you and turn the adjuster to make it tighter.

Note: The parking brake pedel will not feel much different after tightning.

Before doing any adjustment check both parking brake pads for wear. You must remove the rotor to check them.

Yip... He's right. Worst case, you need new rear shoes. Not a terribly big thing. Sounds like you got a nice truck.

wht2500hd... · January 31, 2008

I have an 03.

If you have rear disc then the adjustment is in the rotor.

Jack one side of the axle and apply the e-brake to the point you like and then adjust until the wheel cannot be turned by hand. Do the other side the same.

s10473 · January 31, 2008

I have an 03.

If you have rear disc then the adjustment is in the rotor.

Jack one side of the axle and apply the e-brake to the point you like and then adjust until the wheel cannot be turned by hand. Do the other side the same.

I have an 03 and has been buging for some time now. Got any more specifices to the adjustment on the rear rotor. Thanks

wht2500hd... · January 31, 2008

I have an 03.

If you have rear disc then the adjustment is in the rotor.

Jack one side of the axle and apply the e-brake to the point you like and then adjust until the wheel cannot be turned by hand. Do the other side the same.

I have an 03 and has been buging for some time now. Got any more specifices to the adjustment on the rear rotor. Thanks

Inside the rotors are miniature brake shoes; the inside of the rotor is a small brake drum.

Before you do any adjusting apply the e-brake to where you want the pedal to be (could be you want it near the floor). Next jack up one side and remove the rubber plug on the inside of the rotor and insert a 'rear brake' starwheel adjusting tool in the slot where you removed the rubber plug. While pushing the tool to rotate the starwheel spin the tire/wheel and keep adjusting the starwheel until the tire stops spinning - that's how you know when it's adjusted enough.

Next you do the other side the same way.

When done drive the truck to a steep grade, apply the e-brake to see if it holds the truck; if not then adjust the rear brake SHOES more as needed. Do not over adjust. I have a Haynes manual. If you don't have a Helm manual the Haynes is a pretty good manual for what you pay for.

Be careful these shoes can be overadjusted and cause dragging. So before adjusting check the operation of the e-brake to ensure it is operating properly.

dnunnery · February 1, 2008

The parking brake on these trucks also have been known to break the pins inside the drum that attach the shoes causing the brake not to work, and the pedal to go to the floor. No big deal to repair.

Jester4736w · February 1, 2008

Keep in mind, I had this problem with my truck as well... I found the reason to be my rear axle seals were starting to seep a little and the fluid was getting on my e-brake pads. I dont say this to ruin your day, but to give you another option to look at. With that said, maybe take it apart and check the ebrake pads out. maybe your mechanic accidently got some fluid on them. Not accusing your mechainc, but just an idea.

Philip Shantz · February 1, 2008

Got my e-brake fixed -- along with all the other maintenance tune-up things he did yesterday I asked my mechanic to check out the e-brake and let me know what the story was (I fully expected a callback with the ominous first words: "are you sitting down?")...but the call was with pretty good news -- how often does THAT happen?

Turns out after he removed the calipers and roters all that was needed was adjustment; the left shoe was a tad loose and the right adjuster was totally "bottomed out" so the shoes were as far away from engaging as they could be, basically the e-brake was "less than half" there. Now everything is skookum, the e-brake holds the truck rock steady on a hill and the pedal, when fully engaged, is a few inches off the floor.

SO, after all I've had done in the week since I bought this truck, I think I've managed to wind up with a dang nice machine, even though it's one of my least favorite colors ("Arctic White"...but hey, the Northern Lite camper I'm going to haul is stark white also...at least the setup will be easy to find at night!)

I'll post a photo or two as soon as the weather turns nice enough here in the Pacific Northwest to get nice some good ones.

Philip

Zembonez · February 1, 2008

Now everything is skookum

Excellent! Sounds like you got a great deal after all... Now will somebody explain what that sentence means?

EDIT: Post some pics when you can.

Nice rig · February 1, 2008

Good to hear all worked out. As for me I love my white rig...looks good even if it hasn't been washed in 2 months...then when it is washed you NEED sunglasses to look at it.

Daniel T · February 2, 2008

alrighty. I have a y2k 1/2 ton burb, and I have been looking all over the backing plate to the rear rotors. I can see the caliper and I can see the e-brake mechanism.

The e-brake cable, the spring for full return and the arm for the e-brake that goes into the back of the rotor. the only rubber boot I see is the one around the e-brake arm.

where is the adjusting opening? anyone got a pic of what it is supposed to look like?

thanks

Philip Shantz · February 2, 2008

Jim

Up here in the land of wild salmon (AKA Paradise), the word "Skookum" is a Chinook jargon word that has many positive meanings from "'good,' to 'strong,' 'best,' 'powerful,' 'ultimate' and 'first rate.

Daniel

I did not do the adjusting, but in talking with the mechanic my understanding is that there IS no adjustment hole -- in their infinitely mysterious wisdom GM decided to make you remove the caliper and rotor to get to the adjusters...pisser, isn't it?

Daniel T · February 2, 2008

I figured that must be the deal....just didn't want to remove the caliper and rotor/hub if I didn't need to.

I guess that way they make sure less dedicated folks take it to Mr. Goodwrench instead of doing it themselves.

Ranger · February 2, 2008

I've noticed that the parking brakes on rear disc vehicles tend to be pretty weak compared to drum rears...On my Colorado and now new 07 Silverado 1500 the parking brake would hold a 6,000 lb loaded trailer without budging as long as I lock it while the tranny's still in a gear, but on my 2500HD I could roll the truck a good few inches before I had positive engagement.