How to adjust your parking brake!

[Evil_Trolloc]

Alright, I took a little time to adjust my parking brake yesterday:

I original took off the wheel, caliper, and rotor.. saw what I was dealing with, made my adjustments, and found the little rubber plug to do it without removing anything. Although its near impossible the "easy" way. The rubber plug is between the 2 caliper mount bolts.

being a fairly new jeep, everything went smooth and it should take you about 30 minutes to do both wheels. (or you can try to mess with a screwdriver in the slot and be done faster)

I wrote a long explanation for "everyone". Here is the short one:

a) jack up and remove rear wheel
b) remove caliper + mount as one assembly
c) remove rotor
d) Adjust shoes
e) Put back together

Here is the long version:

1) Block the wheels and put the jeep in neutral (I recommend blocking both sides of a front tire)

2) Jack up the rear, (one side at a time is fine)

3) Remove the wheel

4) Remove the caliper + mount together as one assembly (There are 2 big bolts securing the caliper and caliper mount to the axle, 18mm socket for a D44)
* TIP: Make sure you don't break the plastic connector for the ABS system
* TIP: Don't let the caliper hang from the rubber line. support it on a box


5) Remove the rotor, It will probably require a couple of taps with a hammer
* TIP: sometimes you need to tap the rotor off with a hammer: Use a soft or plastic hammer. Or, put a rag over the end of a sledge and tap with that. This will minimize and damage to the rotor surface. (be sure not to hit the dust cover)

** Now is a good time to clean the surfaces with a wire brush then whipe clean with a rag and some brake parts cleaner (spray)


6) Use a screwdriver to rotate the "gear" (you want it to expand, pushing the shoes away from each other) Just put a flat head screwdriver against the gear and push..


7) Slide the rotor back on
* TIP: as the shoes expand, they get closer to the rotor. There might be a small "lip" of rust around the edge on the inside of the rotor "drum". The closer you get to being properly adjusted, the more this lip may get stuck on the shoes.. requiring more force and fight to get it back off again. you may decide the brake will work well enough at this point. (rather then to continue adjusting it to rub slightly, then backing it off a bit)

Checking Adjustment:
8) Pull up and down on the parking brake handle a few times to re-center the shoes inside, then leaving it down, spin the rotor and see how well it rotates. the shoes should NOT be running on the rotor, but close enough so that when you lift the parking brake handle, it gets tight after only a few more clicks. If it pulls too high befor getting tight, go back to step 6


** Important: once the rotor is back on, there should be NO added resistance from the shoes while you spin the rotor
** Important: MAKE SURE THERE IS NO OIL OR GREASE on the rotor(inside and out) or shoes + pads!

RE ASSEMBLY:
9) Leaving the rotor on the axle, Clean surfaces with brake parts cleaner.

10) Slide the caliper back over the rotor and insert the two bolts.
* TIP: The caliper may have closed up a bit while sitting. since it is still fairly new, you may be able to expand the opening by inserting a flat head screwdriver between the pads and rotating, or just prying at an angle.

11) make sure you plug the ABS back in (if you disconnected it)

12) Install wheel, (tighten lugs in a crisscross pattern

13) Lower wheel down and repeat on other side.

[08BlueSahara]

Originally Posted by Evil_Trolloc

Alright, I took a little time to adjust my parking brake yesterday:

THANKS FOR THIS POST!!! This will help many of us when we get the squeak from dirt in our drums too!!

[Budro]

Thanks, I'll save this for if I ever need it.
I purchased an extended warranty, but I hate visiting the dealer for anything if avoidable.

[Evil_Trolloc]

Originally Posted by Budro

Thanks, I'll save this for if I ever need it.
I purchased an extended warranty, but I hate visiting the dealer for anything if avoidable.

They may not want to warranty this, since its a "wear" item.

I was at the dealer because my blower motor is making a lot of noise, they are ordering me a new one under warranty. I asked them to adjust the brake while they had it and they wanted 99 bucks, I told them to screw.. thats why I did it my self.

[Budro]

I had to recently learn how to adjust the rear brake on my ATV after only 150 miles.
The Yamaha dealer wanted a two week appointment before they would even look at it.

[MayhemTJ]

you forgot the part about 2 6 packs, 150,000 btu propane heater, radio cranked to 11 in the garage at 8pm, and the cousin who supplied the garage and the moral support!

[BiGEN]

i'll have to do this... since mine doesnt work anymore and dealer wanted $160 to fix... great write up...

[Evil_Trolloc]

Originally Posted by MayhemTJ

you forgot the part about 2 6 packs, 150,000 btu propane heater, radio cranked to 11 in the garage at 8pm, and the cousin who supplied the garage and the moral support!

Well, I did the driver side at my place, outside as you can see in the pics =)
I'll only credit you with lending me your garage later that night for the other side

[999666]

Originally Posted by MayhemTJ

you forgot the part about 2 6 packs, 150,000 btu propane heater, radio cranked to 11 in the garage at 8pm, and the cousin who supplied the garage and the moral support!

+1

Great DIY'er Maybe pm a Mod and see if you could get it moved to the frequently asked section.

[ReBiker]

Hey buddy, thanks!!! Good write ups like this are greatly appreciated, especially with the visual aids. Thanks again!