[hikerpaddler]

My emergency brake, in the uppermost position, no longer reliably holds the vehicle when it's parked on inclines. How do I adjust the damn thing? Braking, rear and front, functions fine, even in abrupt stops, it's just the emergency brake that's presenting a problem.

[Wif]

If the rear shoes are snugged up tight(ish) to the drums then you will need to take up the slack in the cable. There's an adjuster on the cable under the Jeep.

[Luckyduck]

I would check the rear pads and make sure they are tight like WIF said. The adjustment under the jeep is easy just a regular flat wrench will work.

[Sparty]

Originally Posted by Wif

If the rear shoes are snugged up tight(ish) to the drums then you will need to take up the slack in the cable. There's an adjuster on the cable under the Jeep.

which way do you turn?
(yes, I'm lazy, and haven't gone out to check yet)

[Luckyduck]

You turn the way that tightens it. It is a simple bolt with a nut on it. tighten the nut and it will draw in the e-brake

[wrangler2007]

I have the same issue...no engagement it seems like till the VERY top of where the e-brake will go...

[bugdewde]

Do not adjust the cables..... that adjustment is for stretched/worn cables. Probably not gonna happen to your Jeep..

You should tighten the brake shoes up against the brake drum.... that makes the parking brake engage like it should.

Normal use of the brakes eat up the brake shoe material. They must be adjusted occasionally when the auto adjusters don't work.

See this thread for a break down of how it's done:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/tightening-emergency-brake-624499/

[rickw450]

What if you have disk brakes in the rear, I'm not aware of an adjustment for a caliper.

[bugdewde]

It's exactly the same....... the disc brake parking brake is a drum style parking brake. The drum is actually the hub of the disc brake.