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How to fix a loose E brake [Poor Man Way]

Well a while ago for some odd reason my E-Brake went loose. Just loose enough so it hangs down and shows that the "E-brake" light on your dash. So I drove with it for about a week or two and today I got an idea. [Also, my E-Brake wasn't loose enough so that I was getting horrible gas mileage]

So here are a few photos of what I did to fix it :)

Ebrake004smallwords.jpg


Ebrake003small.jpg


Before

Ebrake001small.jpg


After :)

Ebrake002small.jpg
 

john112deere

caffeine junkie
Staff member
10,807
406
central Vermont
I've been using a similar approach on a lawn tractor throttle for several years now...

Don't expect the rubber band to last too long; other than that it's a good fix.
 

Brian_B

blank
What exactly is the rubber band holding?

There is an adjustment (on the cable) under the vehicles if there is just a little bit too much slack in the cables. Tighten the adjustment a few rounds, cable tightens up slightly, and the light goes off.

Maybe there is something I am not understanding.
 

john112deere

caffeine junkie
Staff member
10,807
406
central Vermont
What exactly is the rubber band holding?

There is an adjustment (on the cable) under the vehicles if there is just a little bit too much slack in the cables. Tighten the adjustment a few rounds, cable tightens up slightly, and the light goes off.

Maybe there is something I am not understanding.

Not always there isn't. My '97 Ranger's e-brake pedal goes clear to the floor because the cable's stretched a little (the rear brakes are good, and adjusted right), and they give me a hard time every year for my safety sticker, even though it does grab tight enough to stall out the truck.

Looks to me like his is holding the pedal up, though. I've seen a number of vehicles that had pedals that got sloppy and even fully released the pedal sat just barely far enough down to trip the switch for the light. You can lift it with your foot and shut the light out, but the spring that is supposed to hold it there breaks or wears out and doesn't hold it anymore.
 

O'Rattlecan

Redneck Prognosticator
26,687
797
Belton, MO
alex, I didn't realize there was a spring that was supposed to retain the pedal position. Westlake has a huge selection of springs you can purchase that might do the same thing in a way that will last lots longer than a rubber band. Good temporary fix, but next time you're in Lee's Summit, swing by Westlake and get yourself spring.

Ryan
 

john112deere

caffeine junkie
Staff member
10,807
406
central Vermont
I couldn't find the one on my '97 Ranger, so I checked the Haynes book (which is rubbish, I know) which also said it couldn't be adjusted.

The mechanic who I got my sticker from last year confirmed that, and said I needed to adjust the rear brakes tighter. But I don't want them locking up any sooner than they do right now, so I refuse to do that.

If anyone knows different, let me know- stickers up at the end of the month and I'd like to avoid the headache if I can.
 
Doesn't that year of Ranger also use the "Drum in a HAT" parking brake?
IF you have 4 wheel disc, then it is so, and they adjust like old-school shoe brakes. If they're worn, replace em.
 

john112deere

caffeine junkie
Staff member
10,807
406
central Vermont
Negative on the drum in hat, and 4-wheel discs.

Standard drum brakes. If I crank the rear brakes down real tight by turning the star wheel, the e-brake grabs high like it should. But then rear brakes are way too grabby for safe driving on wet roads when unloaded.
 
E Brake rebuild

Before you begin you will need:
-New e-brake shoes. possibly-New Rotors,
- New pads
-Caliper hardware (rubber slide boots, slides)
-Caliper grease
-brake fluid
-brake cleaner

1) Release e-brake, chock front wheels, jack up the rear of the vehicle, and place it on jackstands. Take off both rear tires.
2) Unbolt the calipers (2 bolts), and place them on the leaf springs. Duct tape them, so they won't fall and strain the hose.
3) Get a LARGE prybar and brace against the caliper bracket and push the rotor outwards. Slowly rotate the caliper around and repeat. a few hammer taps may be in order here...
4) With the rotor off, inspect the parking brake. check for material transfer on the drum as well
5) Take the brake apart, and make sure everything works. Make sure all the cables work freely, etc.
6) Adjust the e-brake shoes outward untill you can just barely get the rotor on. If you have a brake measuring caliper this might help.
7) Clean the rotor before Putting it on.
8) Remove and Replace the pads in the calipers.
9) Replace the caliper slide rubber boots
10) Replace and grease the caliper slide pins.
11) Replace the calipers, and bleed the brakes.
12) Auto-adjust the e-brake by applying the ebrake, and putting the truck in reverse.

The job should take about 3- 4 hours,
 
Negative on the drum in hat, and 4-wheel discs.

Standard drum brakes. If I crank the rear brakes down real tight by turning the star wheel, the e-brake grabs high like it should. But then rear brakes are way too grabby for safe driving on wet roads when unloaded.
I'm leaving my info up anyway, lol...

There has to be a happy medium... between too much and sloppy?
 

john112deere

caffeine junkie
Staff member
10,807
406
central Vermont
I think I've found it. Brakes work good, e-brake locks tight enough to stall out the truck in first gear.

The garage doesn't quite agree.

Being that the brake has been set every time the truck has been parked for the last 240k miles and the cables are original, I'm willing to bet they've stretched a bit, though.
 
Be very afraid... The spring section is dark and secluded... watch out if he wants to show you his big screw...
 

O'Rattlecan

Redneck Prognosticator
26,687
797
Belton, MO
aisle 17 directly behind the desk in hardware. There's a board mounted on the right with every spring on display. match the number next to the spring and then refer to the boxes directly to the left in numerical order.

Ryan
 

O'Rattlecan

Redneck Prognosticator
26,687
797
Belton, MO
the only thing I'm thinking that's close to 'under' when I read your posts is when I think about how you'll be visiting the undertaker if you try that again.

Ryan
 

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