"help" parking brake problem

[Joe Jose]

1996 explorer failed inspection for parking brake. The repair manual said there is no adjustment check brakes. I put some new pads on (they were worn) and didn't notice a change. Parking brake doesn't seem to be working at all. Any suggestions on were to go next.
Joe

 

[Turdle]

You said you installed new pads, but did you replace the rear drum shoes also?
the rear brakes are a combination drum disc -the emergency brake is actually a drum brake system.

You should see the adjuster when you get the rear rotor removed.

 

[fixxxer]

On your 4-wheel disk system, the parking brake is mounted in the drum inside the driver's side rear rotor. It's an auto-adjust system, you may just have to replace the the shoes for the parking brake.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147823

 

[gijoecam]

On your 4-wheel disk system, the parking brake is mounted in the drum inside the driver's side rear rotor. It's an auto-adjust system, you may just have to replace the the shoes for the parking brake.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147823

Incorrect on both counts... The parking brakes are in BOTH rear brake rotors, and they are NOT self-adjusting. They must be manually adjusted to keep them tight.

The best thing to do is pull the drum/rotor and see what's going on in there. Odds are if it's not used regularly, the shoes are shot.

-Joe

 

[Joe Jose]

You were correct. I didn' read the manual correctly. The parking brake shoes are totally shot. I was able to put some slack in the cable but I didn't get very far in removing the cable from the parking rake lever, which is directly behind the wheel. The repair manual also shows pictures with the hub or axile removed which covers most of the parking brake but they never discuss it. Is it required if so how does it come off.
Joe

 

[gijoecam]

It can be done without removing the axle shafts... but that's a pain in the butt (I've done it that way... it sucks, but can be done). The easiest way to get the cable off the actuator lever is to first remove the shoes, adjuster, and springs. Then remove the scissor arm (the thing that the cable attaches to that levers the shoes apart to set the brake). There's a short pin on the bottom of it that drops into a hole on the backing plate. Then you can manipulate it off the end of the cable pretty easily.

If you want to remove the axle shafts, you need to pop the diff cover, remove the cross-pin retainer screw, remove teh cross pin, push the axles in towards the center, remove the c-clip, then slide the shaft out of the housing. It's not complicated or difficult, just messy.

Good luck!!