Wierd e-brake problem

[mwking]

I have a wierd e-brake problem that I haven't been able to find any info on. I noticed a couple of weeks ago the e-brake pedal on my 2000 sport was not coming all the way back up after I pulled the release. I would have to pull it up to get the brake light on the dash to go off. Then i noticed that the e-brakes were not holding. I pulled off the wheels and all looks well. I tighted the star adusters just short of dragging and figured I was set, except there was no change. The cables are moving freely and the levers are moving at the rear wheels. I noticed looking under the vehicle by the drivers door that the cable was a little loose. It was suggested that the automatic tensioner in the pedal assembly was shot. I went out this morning and pulled another pedal assembly at the wrecking yard. After putting it on there is no difference in the way the brakes hold or the tension of the cables, the pedal now springs off completely though. It is almost as if the cables have suddenly stretched, looking at the pedal it looks as if the auto adjuster is as tight as it can get. Anybody have any ideas?

 

[budwich]

This "situation" has shown up here before and though the park brake system should "tension" itself, I do believe the poster couldn't resolve it without "shortening" the cable by "folding" it(ie. "U") at one of the joints. I don't see how aircraft cable "stretches" so much that the spring tensioner in the pedal doesn't remove the sag and ultimately allow for "proper" brake pressure application (ie. success park brake hold power).... it would appear you have a similar problem. I think that it is more likely certain "hold points" are bent such that the tensioner runs out of takeup before it can remove all the slack.

 

[mwking]

Thanks for the reply budwich. I'm going to have a look tomorrow and see if I can spot something that looks bent. If I can't find anything I will probably fold the cable to shorten it. I couldn't figure out how the cables could suddenly be too long, but with one of the covered areas of the cable loose or a mount bent as you pointed out the cable could find a shorter path. Thanks.