QuestionI am just wondering if you can give me the proper method for adjusting the parking brake cables on a 2003 Liberty Renegade 3.7L 4WD.
I had the entire rear brake system (rotors/drums, pads, e-brake shoes, and cables) replaced last year in order to pass MA state inspection. I have since been using the parking brake every time I park the vehicle. But, lately I have noticed that I have to really pull the handle up far in order to get it to hold on even the slightest incline.
Thanks in advance, Kevin! You were right on the money with my no heat/low coolant issue last month!
AnswerADJUSTMENT - REAR DRUM IN HAT PARK BRAKE (ROTOR REMOVED)
Under normal circumstances, the only time adjustment is required is when the shoes are replaced, removed for access to other parts, or when one or both rotors are replaced.
Adjustment can be made with a standard brake gauge or with adjusting tool . Adjustment is performed with the complete brake assembly installed on the backing plate.
CAUTION: Before adjusting the park brake shoes be sure that the park brake pedal is in the fully released position. If park brake pedal is not in the fully released position, the park brake shoes can not be accurately adjusted.
Raise vehicle.
Remove tire and wheel.
Remove disc brake caliper from caliper adapter (Refer to 5 - BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/DISC BRAKE CALIPERS - REMOVAL).
Remove rotor from the axleshaft (Refer to 5 - BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS - REMOVAL).
NOTE: When measuring the brake drum diameter, the diameter should be measured in the center of the area in which the park brake shoes contact the surface of the brake drum.
Using Brake Shoe Gauge, Special Tool C-3919, or equivalent, accurately measure the inside diameter of the park brake drum portion of the rotor (MEASURING PARK BRAKE DRUM DIAMETER).
Using a ruler that reads in 64th of an inch, accurately read the measurement of the inside diameter of the park brake drum from the special tool (READING PARK BRAKE DRUM DIAMETER).
Reduce the inside diameter measurement of the brake drum that was taken using Special Tool C-3919 by 1/64 of an inch. Reset Gauge, Brake Shoe, Special Tool C-3919 or the equivalent used, so that the outside measurement jaws are set to the reduced measurement (SETTING GAUGE TO PARK BRAKE SHOE MEASUREMENT).
Place Gauge, Brake Shoe, Special Tool C-3919, or equivalent over the park brake shoes. The special tool must be located diagonally across at the top of one shoe and bottom of opposite shoe (widest point) of the park brake shoes.
Using the star wheel adjuster, adjust the park brake shoes until the lining on the park brake shoes just touches the jaws on the special tool.
Repeat step 8 above and measure shoes in both directions.
Install brake rotor on the axleshaft (Refer to 5 - BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS - INSTALLATION) .
Rotate rotor to verify that the park brake shoes are not dragging on the brake drum. If park brake shoes are dragging, remove rotor and back off star wheel adjuster one notch and recheck for brake shoe drag against drum. Continue with the previous step until brake shoes are not dragging on brake drum.
Install disc brake caliper on caliper adapter (Refer to 5 - BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/DISC BRAKE CALIPERS - INSTALLATION).
Install wheel and tire.
Tighten the wheel mounting nuts in the proper sequence until all nuts are torqued to half the specified torque. Then repeat the tightening sequence to the full specified torque of 129 N·m (95 ft. lbs.).
Lower vehicle.
CAUTION: Before moving vehicle, pump brake pedal several times to ensure the vehicle has a firm enough pedal to stop the vehicle.
NOTE: After parking brake lining replacement, it is recommended that the parking brake system be conditioned prior to use. This is done by making one stop from 25 mph on dry pavement or concrete using light to moderate force on the parking brake hand lever.
Road test the vehicle to ensure proper function of the vehicle's brake system
