1st Gen: Adjusting E-Brake

[CarFreak146]

alright, I"ve been told that they are self-adjusting and you've just got to engage it, then disengage, then engage, and disengage, and so on and so forth several times and it will adjust itself. Well, I put my body lift on 3 years ago now, and it hasn't worked since, and I still set my ebrake when I park (force of habit), but it doesn't hold, and apparently its not self adjusting (It's been set thousands of times in this 3 year period). So is there anyway to manually adjust it so I can use it again?? Thanks all, oh, and btw, I searched but couldn't find anything.

--Ryan

[Scott B.]

Your rear brakes probably aren't helping you stop,either.

Yes, the e-brake is self-adjusting (every time you set it), and the rear drum are self-adjusting too. But, the rear brake self-adjuster usually does not work very good.

The fix is simple - you need to manually adjust each rear brake.

Park on a level surface, block the front tire(s), tranny in Park, e-brake off (standard disclaimer!)
Lift up a rear tire, pull it off, remove brake drum. You will see a wire that starts at the top center (where the return springs attach), runs around a tensioner attached to the brake shoe facing the rear (secondary shoe), and attaches near the star-wheel adjuster (a round piece with a toothed surface.) The adjusting cable also has a tab that is supposed to contact the star-wheel, allowing the wheel to only turn in 1 direction (opposite direction each side.)

You need to manually turn the adjusting wheel (opposite direction each side) to expand the lower end of the shoes. Not too far - you need to be able to re-install the brake drum.

That's it.

Usually, the adjusting cables stretch, and do not properly tighten the brakes as they wear.

[CarFreak146]

alright, thanks I'll try that while I've got the Ex in the garage working on other projects. I'll let you know if that fixed it.

--Ryan

[TheRookie]

Rear brake adjustment is unlikely your problem. The star wheels on the drums on your truck rarely seize up. Their job is to adjsut the drums for you. No most likely your problem lies in the body lift. The body lift requires you to remove the parking brake cable from the drivers side frame and remount it differently. If you have not done this the brake will not work. IF you decide to adjust your PARKING brake cable just follow it back and you will see whats obviously a way to adjust it. Easy to do but often rust makes cranking on that thing a bear.