QuestionI am trying to adjust the parking brake on a 04 grand cherokee Laredo. I am aware of the adjusting star on the back of the brake guards. Do I have to loosen the brake cable first? If so how is this done? Thanks.
AnswerDIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - PARKING BRAKE
NOTE: Parking brake adjustment is controlled by an automatic cable tensioner and does not require adjustment. The only adjustment that may be necessary would be to the park brake shoes if they are worn.
The parking brake switch is in circuit with the red warning lamp in the dash. The switch will cause the lamp to illuminate only when the parking brakes are applied. If the lamp remains on after parking brake release, the switch or wires are faulty.
If the red lamp comes on a fault has occurred in the front or rear brake hydraulic system.
If the red warning lamp and yellow warning lamp come on, the electronic brake distribution may be at fault.
In most cases, the actual cause of an improperly functioning parking brake (too loose/too tight/won't hold), can be traced to a parking brake component.
NOTE: The leading cause of improper parking brake operation, is excessive clearance between the parking brake shoes and the shoe braking surface. Excessive clearance is a result of lining and/or drum wear, drum surface machined oversize.
Excessive parking brake lever travel (sometimes described as a loose lever or too loose condition), is the result of worn brake shoes, improper brake shoe adjustment, or improperly assembled brake parts.
A too loose condition can also be caused by inoperative or improperly assembled parking brake shoe parts.
A condition where the parking brakes do not hold, will most probably be due to a wheel brake component.
Items to look for when diagnosing a parking brake problem, are:
Brake shoe wear
Drum surface (in rear rotor) machined oversize
Front cable not secured to lever
Rear cable not attached to actuator
Rear cable seized
Parking brake lever not seated
Parking brake lever bind
