Models with drum rear brakes
Cable adjustment (cables) parking brake on models with rear drum brakes may only be required if you are replacing the cable or disconnecting it from the rear brake assembly for some reason. Failure of the parking brake system is usually due to worn brake shoes or a malfunction of the self-adjusting mechanism.
1. Jack up the rear of the vehicle and place it securely on axle stands.
2. Fully release the parking brake lever, then depress the brake pedal hard several times.
3. Engage the parking brake lever five clicks.
4. Tighten or loosen the adjusting nuts by the same number of turns, so that the rear brake shoes are only slightly attracted to the brake drum. You should feel the same resistance on both wheels as you spin.
5. Release the parking brake lever and check that the wheels turn freely. If this is not the case, adjust them again.
Models with rear disc brakes
On models with rear disc brakes, the parking brake system is not self-adjusting. Therefore, the parking brake requires periodic adjustment to compensate for wear. In addition, it should be adjusted each time a cable, brake disc, or parking brake assembly is replaced or removed for any reason.
1. Slowly apply the parking brake and count the number of lever clicks. If the lever cocks more than eight clicks, adjust the parking brake cable as follows.
2. Bend back the parking brake lever boot and loosen the cable adjustment nut. On some models, you will have to remove the entire center console to do this.
3. Loosen one bolt on each rear wheel. Jack up the vehicle and place it securely on axle stands.
4. Give back the bolts you loosened on both rear wheels. Turn the wheel until you can see the adjuster wheel through the bolt hole with the wrench.
5. Turn the adjuster - clockwise to spread the shoes and counterclockwise to move them - until the brake shoes make contact with the brake drum. Install the brake shoes so that the wheel turns freely (three or four prong adjuster).
If the adjuster wheel is difficult to turn, remove the wheel and brake disc, lubricate the adjuster wheel and try again.
6. With the disc installed, apply the parking brake three times to stretch and seat the cables, then slowly pull the parking brake lever up to the fifth click. Tighten the cable adjusting nuts an equal number of turns so that the rear brake shoes are just in contact with the brake drum. Make sure both wheels give the same amount of resistance when turning.
7. Release the parking brake and check that both rear wheels turn freely.
8. Tighten the wheel bolts to the required torque.