weak parking brake
weak parking brake My parking brake is worn feeling, like the cable is stretched and worn. I pulled off the console and looked around. The cable doesn't seem to be be worn, and the spring seems to be good but I'm not 100% sure. The brake still does it's job, but is barely strong enough while on steep hills and alot looser compared to other cars I've driven. What typically causes this? thanks
Jason
Jason
TECH Veteran
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,012
Likes: 1
From: Beaumont, TX
Could just be because it needs adjustment after normal wear 
"When the park brake system is applied, the effort with which the brake lever is moved is transmitted by the cables to the brake levers which force the rear brake shoes outward against the inner rotor surface. As the brake shoe lining wears, the park brake system must be manually adjusted to prevent excessive hand lever travel."
Park Brake Shoe Adjustment
Important: Do not operate the park brake lever while the rotor is removed.
1. Remove the rear tires and wheels.
2. Disconnect the rear cable from the brake shoe lever.
3. Pull on the lever until there is a firm stop. Release the lever and measure free lever travel at the cable interface. If the travel is less than 10 mm, adjustment is complete. If the travel is more than 10 mm, further adjust brake shoe.
4. Remove the brake rotor.
5. Rotate the adjustment nut with a screwdriver in order to extend the slotted tappet in order to increase the gap between the adjuster nut and the screw by .38 mm.
6. Install the rotor onto the axle mounting flange. Ensure that the rotor is flush against the flange. Use two hand-tightened lugnuts in order to keep the rotor in position.
7. Measure the lever (free) travel per step 2. Repeat the adjuster in order to obtain the ideal 3-8 mm free travel of the brake shoe lever.
8. Check the rotor for drag. The rotor must rotate freely within the stud hole clearance.
9. Install rear tires and wheels.
"When the park brake system is applied, the effort with which the brake lever is moved is transmitted by the cables to the brake levers which force the rear brake shoes outward against the inner rotor surface. As the brake shoe lining wears, the park brake system must be manually adjusted to prevent excessive hand lever travel."
Park Brake Shoe Adjustment
Important: Do not operate the park brake lever while the rotor is removed.
1. Remove the rear tires and wheels.
2. Disconnect the rear cable from the brake shoe lever.
3. Pull on the lever until there is a firm stop. Release the lever and measure free lever travel at the cable interface. If the travel is less than 10 mm, adjustment is complete. If the travel is more than 10 mm, further adjust brake shoe.
4. Remove the brake rotor.
5. Rotate the adjustment nut with a screwdriver in order to extend the slotted tappet in order to increase the gap between the adjuster nut and the screw by .38 mm.
6. Install the rotor onto the axle mounting flange. Ensure that the rotor is flush against the flange. Use two hand-tightened lugnuts in order to keep the rotor in position.
7. Measure the lever (free) travel per step 2. Repeat the adjuster in order to obtain the ideal 3-8 mm free travel of the brake shoe lever.
8. Check the rotor for drag. The rotor must rotate freely within the stud hole clearance.
9. Install rear tires and wheels.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 1
From: MI
Originally Posted by ACW
Could just be because it needs adjustment after normal wear
"When the park brake system is applied, the effort with which the brake lever is moved is transmitted by the cables to the brake levers which force the rear brake shoes outward against the inner rotor surface. As the brake shoe lining wears, the park brake system must be manually adjusted to prevent excessive hand lever travel."
Park Brake Shoe Adjustment
Important: Do not operate the park brake lever while the rotor is removed.
1. Remove the rear tires and wheels.
2. Disconnect the rear cable from the brake shoe lever.
3. Pull on the lever until there is a firm stop. Release the lever and measure free lever travel at the cable interface. If the travel is less than 10 mm, adjustment is complete. If the travel is more than 10 mm, further adjust brake shoe.
4. Remove the brake rotor.
5. Rotate the adjustment nut with a screwdriver in order to extend the slotted tappet in order to increase the gap between the adjuster nut and the screw by .38 mm.
6. Install the rotor onto the axle mounting flange. Ensure that the rotor is flush against the flange. Use two hand-tightened lugnuts in order to keep the rotor in position.
7. Measure the lever (free) travel per step 2. Repeat the adjuster in order to obtain the ideal 3-8 mm free travel of the brake shoe lever.
8. Check the rotor for drag. The rotor must rotate freely within the stud hole clearance.
9. Install rear tires and wheels.
"When the park brake system is applied, the effort with which the brake lever is moved is transmitted by the cables to the brake levers which force the rear brake shoes outward against the inner rotor surface. As the brake shoe lining wears, the park brake system must be manually adjusted to prevent excessive hand lever travel."
Park Brake Shoe Adjustment
Important: Do not operate the park brake lever while the rotor is removed.
1. Remove the rear tires and wheels.
2. Disconnect the rear cable from the brake shoe lever.
3. Pull on the lever until there is a firm stop. Release the lever and measure free lever travel at the cable interface. If the travel is less than 10 mm, adjustment is complete. If the travel is more than 10 mm, further adjust brake shoe.
4. Remove the brake rotor.
5. Rotate the adjustment nut with a screwdriver in order to extend the slotted tappet in order to increase the gap between the adjuster nut and the screw by .38 mm.
6. Install the rotor onto the axle mounting flange. Ensure that the rotor is flush against the flange. Use two hand-tightened lugnuts in order to keep the rotor in position.
7. Measure the lever (free) travel per step 2. Repeat the adjuster in order to obtain the ideal 3-8 mm free travel of the brake shoe lever.
8. Check the rotor for drag. The rotor must rotate freely within the stud hole clearance.
9. Install rear tires and wheels.
TECH Veteran
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,012
Likes: 1
From: Beaumont, TX
Originally Posted by Mike 01WS6
****, I think I'll just take it to the dealer.
Most people who post here are probably trying to avoid having to do that, though 
