idahofox
06-25-2005, 12:48 PM
I was curious, with all the proplems/comments about "Parking Brakes that do not Work", why ?
I reviewed my Helm's manual, volume 1, section 5; I concluded that these park brakes Work Great (as mine does), are in need of repair or are in need of adjustment.
These brakes are a simple, self energizing drum type. The park brake drum is an integral part of the rear disk brake rotor (drum-in-hat); the park brake shoes mount to the backing plate. The static drum/shoe clearance is adjusted with an expanding screw (threaded actuator) type device, Very Streight Forward and a standard drum brake feature.
There are Two adjusments required for proper operation; (1) Drum/Shoe Static clearance, as above, (2) Park Brake Pedal (w/ Park Brake Cable Automatic Adjuster) Adjustment.
As with any self energizing drum system, more braking force is available to Forward motion and less braking force to Reverse motion.
Park Brake Shoe replacement requires that the rear disk brake rotor be removed. Drum/Shoe static clearance is initially set at reassembly (clearance is set to 0.026 in, less than a slight drag, real tight). Fine tuning/subsequent adjustment is performed through the backing plate port.
The Park Brake Pedal (w/ Park Brake Cable Automatic Adjuster, 2500 & 3500) Adjustment. This is not a true adjustment, however the Auto/Adj feature of the park brake pedal must be reset/disabled for servicing the cable system.
I am having difficulty understanding why a Recall is indicated; why a trained dealer technician can't make the adjustment properly (not realy); or why an Ol' Shadetree or a Young Shadetree can't make them work. No whinning now !
The service life should be exellent. This is a PARK Brake not an EMERGENCY Brake.
CAVEAT.... Some of the cableing moves inside a cover. In time, with disuse, the cables may bind in the covering, due to hostile road invironment in winter ( especially on "The Dirty Side") or other reasons.
I recomend that we all add two items to our Monthly routine maintenace.
1. Pull the Park Brake Release Handle and hold while cycling the Park Brake Pedal from Fully Applied to Fully Released 3 - 5 cycles minimum ( with the foot on the pedal to keep it from snapping back, respect the equipment). This will exercise the cables and adjust the Auto/Adj feature of the Pedal mechanism.
2. Cycle the airconditioning system each month, all year. Lubes the compressor and improves service life.
For what it's worth.
Idahofox
I reviewed my Helm's manual, volume 1, section 5; I concluded that these park brakes Work Great (as mine does), are in need of repair or are in need of adjustment.
These brakes are a simple, self energizing drum type. The park brake drum is an integral part of the rear disk brake rotor (drum-in-hat); the park brake shoes mount to the backing plate. The static drum/shoe clearance is adjusted with an expanding screw (threaded actuator) type device, Very Streight Forward and a standard drum brake feature.
There are Two adjusments required for proper operation; (1) Drum/Shoe Static clearance, as above, (2) Park Brake Pedal (w/ Park Brake Cable Automatic Adjuster) Adjustment.
As with any self energizing drum system, more braking force is available to Forward motion and less braking force to Reverse motion.
Park Brake Shoe replacement requires that the rear disk brake rotor be removed. Drum/Shoe static clearance is initially set at reassembly (clearance is set to 0.026 in, less than a slight drag, real tight). Fine tuning/subsequent adjustment is performed through the backing plate port.
The Park Brake Pedal (w/ Park Brake Cable Automatic Adjuster, 2500 & 3500) Adjustment. This is not a true adjustment, however the Auto/Adj feature of the park brake pedal must be reset/disabled for servicing the cable system.
I am having difficulty understanding why a Recall is indicated; why a trained dealer technician can't make the adjustment properly (not realy); or why an Ol' Shadetree or a Young Shadetree can't make them work. No whinning now !
The service life should be exellent. This is a PARK Brake not an EMERGENCY Brake.
CAVEAT.... Some of the cableing moves inside a cover. In time, with disuse, the cables may bind in the covering, due to hostile road invironment in winter ( especially on "The Dirty Side") or other reasons.
I recomend that we all add two items to our Monthly routine maintenace.
1. Pull the Park Brake Release Handle and hold while cycling the Park Brake Pedal from Fully Applied to Fully Released 3 - 5 cycles minimum ( with the foot on the pedal to keep it from snapping back, respect the equipment). This will exercise the cables and adjust the Auto/Adj feature of the Pedal mechanism.
2. Cycle the airconditioning system each month, all year. Lubes the compressor and improves service life.
For what it's worth.
Idahofox