Parking Brake

[mccutters]

Help...No Parking Brake

I'm a newbie to tune-ups/maintainance, but don't mind gettin' my hands dirty.

Question: My parking brake doesn't hold on a hill. I just had a brake job 20K ago - could it be a rusted cable? How can I check?

Also any input on priority of changing/servicing other components at 135K on a '96 XLT
since I've turned 100K I have gotten:
-Brakes
-Tires
-Alternator (new belt as well)
-thermostat
-fuel filter
-switched to K&N drop-in air filter
-new plugs/wires

I know I need ATF change, but am in need of input on chaging filter and 1/2 the fluid, versus the method of two buckets connected to lower hoses and running the engine.

I love this site and have found some great ideas, but with limited funds where should I start?

Thanks
McCutters

 

[Robb]

Parking brakes on Xs are completely different than parking brakes on most other vehicles. Xs actually have a seperate set of "mini brakes" on the rear wheels dedicated to the parking brake. When you had your "normal" rear brakes replaced, this had no effect on the parking brakes. At first, with your truck being relatively young, I thought your parking brakes probably wouldn't be worn, but that many miles there is a good chance. Unfortunately, replacing the "mini brakes" is a bit of a tricky deal, probably better left to the experts.

Do a search of previous posts on more info about the parking brakes; there is also plenty of info on tranny filter replacement procedures.