Parking brake woes

[theogre5150]

Having some problems with my parking brake. It don't work! I have bled the brakes all around and I can still drive around all day long with the parking brake pedal pushed down to the floor and not notice a thing. Also, my parking brake warning light does not shut off. Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

I have a '71 F100 w/ a 240 I6. It's a 4x2 with a LWB.

[mrsnicks]

Okay... it's not a warning light for the parking brake. It's a warning light for uneven brake pressure between the front and rear brakes.. (I think, could be side to side).

Your parking brakes work on a series of cables to your rear drums.

There is an adjustment nut and level under your bed, behind your cab. Check the adjustment lever, if that's not it you're gonna have to pull the rear wheels, and rear drums and see if the cables are engaging and such.

Patrick

[theogre5150]

Thanks......I'll check it out when I get home from work.

[RhinoGT]

Actually, the tiny little light above the parking brake does indicate that the parking brake is engaged. Not sure if it serves dual purpose for the service brake pressure. There is definitely a switch under the parking brake pedal assembly.

If you are "driving around all day" with the parking brake pedal to the floor, then the light will definitely stay on. Also, if your cables are slack or missing, (which it sounds like they are) then the slack in the pedal will be enough to illuminate the light.

Good luck.

[theogre5150]

When I release the parking brake, the light stays on. How do I check to see if the cables are slack? I am a noob when it comes to brakes.

[RhinoGT]

Eric,
From your description it sounds like there is slack - that is why the brakes arent working. Try this - pull the parking brake release handle out. With it still out lift the pedal up with your foot. Did the light go out? If so, this is the resting position of the disengaged parking brake pedal. If it ratchets down one or two clicks when you let go of everything, that will be enough to light your light.

Go to this thread and read everything and look at the pictures. That is what it shoudl look like.
http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... hp?t=20446

Good luck

[theogre5150]

Thanks Rhino. I'm going home for lunch and I will see if I can lift the pedal.

[FORDification]

No, that little light has nothing at all to do with the parking brake. That light is only hooked up to the brake's distribution block (or proportioning valve, if you have disc brakes) to warn of a in-balance of pressure between the front and rear brake circuits.

The factory never put a switch in the park brake assembly, so if yours has one, it's been added by a previous owner, who apparently didn't realize what that light was for.

Anyway, if the warning light is on, it means you need to bleed the brakes to recenter the valve in the distribution block (or proportioning valve), as dictated by the factory shop manual:

The factory shop manual says:

Turn the ignition switch to the ACC or ON position. Loosen the pressure differential valve inlet tube nut of the unfailed system, or the side opposite the system that was bled last. Operate the brake pedal carefully and gradually until the pressure differential valve is returned to a centralized position and the brake warning light goes out. Tighten the tube nut.

[RhinoGT]

Am I losing my mind? What truck am I thinking of?
I could have sworn there was a switch down there, and yet I am looking at the schematic and clearly there isnt.

Well, I am very sorry about the bad advice

Of course I have this pressing urge to leave work to go home and look under there now! Thanks for setting me straight.

[theogre5150]

"Loosen the pressure differential valve inlet tube nut" means bleeder, right? And what is the brake distribution block? I have never done any of this before so I appreciate all of the good advice on this.

[RhinoGT]

" so I appreciate all of the good advice on this.

You mean as opposed to the crappy advice I gave you!

Again, I am sorry about steering your wrong. I guess I just lost all my "street cred" on this forum.

I hope you work out your problem OK. (even without my "help")

Good luck

[rjewkes]

rhino its ok we have all been mistaken or mispoken before.

if i'm reading this right your talking about loosening the nut holding the line on the side of the distributioon block for the side that works and then slowly gently uising the brake pedal until the light goes out on the dash then seal her back up ansd your done?