Parking Brake System: Adjustments

DESCRIPTION
The effort required to fully apply this system is lower than that on previous foot operated systems. Heavy foot pressure can cause the lever to "bottom out" (reach its full downward travel position). This does not indicate that the cable tension is low. The system has been designed to meet or exceed all F.M.V.S.S. and General Motor requirements and the required cable tension is generated prior to the "bottom out" condition. The ability to "bottom out" the lever under heavy foot pressure does not necessarily indicate a system deficiency.

CAUTION: Parking brake adjustment is not necessary. This is a self adjusting system and damage may result from attempting to adjust or modify this system in any way. It may be necessary to adjust rear brakes to obtain the proper tension in the system, refer to Drum Brake Adjustments. Adjustments

Parking Brake Cables And Lever Assembly:

DIAGNOSIS
The park brake system can be checked for its ability to generate sufficient cable tension by performing the following steps:
- After checking rear brake adjustment, fully apply and release the foot park brake lever 4 times.
- Apply lever to the 2 click position.
- Raise the car and suitably support.
- Check park brake cable tension by attempting to turn right rear wheel with both hands. Wheel should only rotate backward, not forward.
- Release park brake and check for rear brake drag. Rear wheels should turn freely (some light shoe to drum contact may he heard). The parking brake cables have the wire strand coated with a plastic material which slides against nylon seals inside the conduit end fittings. This is for corrosion protection and reduced parking brake effort.

CAUTION: Plastic coated parking brake cables do not need periodic lubrication. Handling of these cables during servicing of the parking brake system requires a little extra care. Damage to the plastic coating will reduce corrosion protection and if the damaged area passes through the scal, increased parking brake effort could result. Contact of the coating with sharp-edged tools, or with sharp surfaces of the vehicle underbody, should be avoided.