Parking brake does not lock up wheels

[tristanlee85]

The first time I went to use the brake, the cable snapped... good start. After replacing the cable, I can only been on a .0000001* grade for the brakes to work. Otherwise, the truck continues to roll. I removed the rotor to look at the shoes and mechanics. I don't have a Haynes or FSM so I'm not sure of the specs on the shoes as far as thickness. I can't remember the last time I even worked on shoes to know if these are still good or worn too much. In addition, pushing the parking brake pedal down does not seem to move the shoes very much at all. The micrometer won't fit down there, but judging by the eye, the shoes don't move at all. This is with the pedal to the floor:

[dnf12908]

These parking brakes are a poor design. Mine doesn't hold either except just after I adjust them. I installed an in-line hydraulic brake-lock (Afco Brake Loc). No more troubles.

[SuperCrutyPS]

Have you got under the truck while someone else was operating the parking brake to watch the cables all the way back to the shoes? Look for slack in the cable to see it loose enough to not allow the shoes to work?

Just a suggestion.....

[tristanlee85]

Originally Posted by dnf12908

These parking brakes are a poor design. Mine doesn't hold either except just after I adjust them. I installed an in-line hydraulic brake-lock (Afco Brake Loc). No more troubles.

I will look in to that. Thanks!

Originally Posted by SuperCrutyPS

Have you got under the truck while someone else was operating the parking brake to watch the cables all the way back to the shoes? Look for slack in the cable to see it loose enough to not allow the shoes to work?

Just a suggestion.....

Today was the first time I took everything apart. I'm going to replace the pads and rotors soon so when I tear it apart again, I'll see if a neighbor can give me a hand. I felt the cables and they were tight.

The only time the brakes sort of worked was immediately after I replaced the broken cable. I was backed on the boat ramp, set the brake, hopped out and luckily left the door open because as I walked to the back of the truck, it started rolling backwards down the ramp. Talk about a racing heart... It's just a pain to turn it off and put it in low for such a short amount of time.

[o0firemaster0o]

Might be a little late but this is very useful
Welcome to camodown's Rear Hub Seals and Parking Brake repairs

[immortalic]

I would do what dnf said and adjust the cable (little star thingy that sets between the shoes)

[08pwrstrokr6.4]

they should make them self adjusting like the clutch cables

[Wayne64SS]

Originally Posted by immortalic

I would do what dnf said and adjust the cable (little star thingy that sets between the shoes)

This will do ya up fine man. I just did mine. Do it with the rotor on the truck, from the back side of the backing plate there is a rubber plug that pulls out directly behind the star adjusters. with the rotor on you want to adjust them out until there is the slightest bit of drag on them. Make sure its not hanging up though.

[Sullie250]

mine did the same thing for a while...found out that i had a bad wheel seal and got grease or i guess oil on the shoes and made the slip. when you adjust them, tighten the adjusting screw until the wheel does not spin (adjust it while the truck is jacked up and with the wheel and tire on) then back it off a few clicks. i have had 2 parking brake cables and one pedal mechanism in my truck. the only thing i dislike about my truck is the parking brake.

[immortalic]

They are designed to self adjust. The design just doesn't work lol.