Soft Parking Brake
#1
07-27-2000 | 12:59 AM
Thread Starter
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Concord, NC, USA
Soft Parking Brake
Just got my truck a couple months ago. Love it, but one thing bothers me, the parking brake is very soft. It is engaged, I tested it on a hill with the transmission in neutral, but it goes to the floor with very little effort. Is this common?
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1998 F-150 STX 2x4 std. cab flareside Black V6
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1998 F-150 STX 2x4 std. cab flareside Black V6
#3
07-30-2000 | 01:58 AM
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,544
Likes: 0
From: Kalamazoo, MI, USA
I'm assuming that you have drum brakes on the rear.
Be sure that your cable adjustment is correct. It is not self-adjusting like the rear brakes are self-adjusting.
Of utmost importance is periodicly lubricating the cable which operates the rear brakes, as they rust and often don't release fully.
The result is a rear brake which is then 'adjusted' by the inherent drag on the brake by the parking brake mechanism -- whereupon the normal internal adjuster for that brake ceases to adjust properly.
You can merely squirt a penetrating oil down the cable armor -- and if needed cut a slice off the rubber and lube (wet) the cable from the armor (outside) thru that new opening in the rubber (if yours has rubber coating it) -- in an attempt at lubricating the cable. Once penetrating oil has succeeded in wetting the cable, you should 'wick' in a more substantive oil (like 30W detergent motor oil)
If you are not a frequent parking brake user -- avoid using the parking brake -- cuz it will probably freeze up as described above. If you are not a frequent parking brake user -- avoid using it in the winter -- else you'll be towing it.
The best way to prevent problems with parking brakes is to use them every day.
If it (parking brake) freezes up in the winter -- apply it harder -- in an attempt to break it loose (can't hurt it any more than it was already locked, right?). Unfortunately, this only works with a cable which is frozen with water -- not frozen with rust.
OK here's the disclaimer on this one.
The opinions rendered here are those of an incompetent lunatic -- any use or abuse of your equipment (truck) following the recommendations presented here by me are solely your discretion. I am not representing my employer, my future employer, my mother or father, living or dead relative; and I may be wrong on every point.
<whew>
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Y2K™ Jim Gorka
Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"
Be sure that your cable adjustment is correct. It is not self-adjusting like the rear brakes are self-adjusting.
Of utmost importance is periodicly lubricating the cable which operates the rear brakes, as they rust and often don't release fully.
The result is a rear brake which is then 'adjusted' by the inherent drag on the brake by the parking brake mechanism -- whereupon the normal internal adjuster for that brake ceases to adjust properly.
You can merely squirt a penetrating oil down the cable armor -- and if needed cut a slice off the rubber and lube (wet) the cable from the armor (outside) thru that new opening in the rubber (if yours has rubber coating it) -- in an attempt at lubricating the cable. Once penetrating oil has succeeded in wetting the cable, you should 'wick' in a more substantive oil (like 30W detergent motor oil)
If you are not a frequent parking brake user -- avoid using the parking brake -- cuz it will probably freeze up as described above. If you are not a frequent parking brake user -- avoid using it in the winter -- else you'll be towing it.
The best way to prevent problems with parking brakes is to use them every day.
If it (parking brake) freezes up in the winter -- apply it harder -- in an attempt to break it loose (can't hurt it any more than it was already locked, right?). Unfortunately, this only works with a cable which is frozen with water -- not frozen with rust.
OK here's the disclaimer on this one.
The opinions rendered here are those of an incompetent lunatic -- any use or abuse of your equipment (truck) following the recommendations presented here by me are solely your discretion. I am not representing my employer, my future employer, my mother or father, living or dead relative; and I may be wrong on every point.
<whew>
------------------
Y2K™ Jim Gorka
Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"