Parking Brake

[cghstrojan08]

To tighten it, do I just tighten the nut at the equalizer?

[fordman]

if your trying to take slack out of the cable yes.

[Jake11]

You want to make sure the rear shoes are adjusted first. That might
be all you need.

[cghstrojan08]

What it is, is that I have to push the parking brake almost all the way down before it engages. So, I just tighten the nut?

[FORDification]

That might not be it. As Jake11 said, you have to make sure your rear brakes are properly adjusted before adjusting the parking brake. If your rear shoes are very worn and the auto-adjusters haven't been doing their job taking up the slack, then it's going to take a lot more travel to lock down the parking brake.

[cghstrojan08]

The rear brakes are in great shape. I also have resently taken off the self-adjusters and cleaned them up. I had to put a new self adjuster cable on because the original broke. I tightened the nut up and it is alot better.

[foghorn]

Also you want to make sure the drum just barely fits over the shoes. This way they are close to where they need to be. Some cars or trucks need the e-brake used to adjust the rear shoes. Some only require backing up and applying the brakes. If memory serves me right our trucks need the e-brake used to adjust them it should make 2-3 clicks each time its used.


foggy

[fordman]

if you have recently replaced the cable that could be what you need to do is tighten the nut. but you should also make sure the shoes are adjusted up properly first.