So our new driveway is quite steep. The parking break in my truck can't hold the rig (not even close), and it's definitely putting strain on the selector pin (??)... I'm so worried about breaking something in the tranny that I'm parking on the street.
Is there anything (like a speed bump or something) specifically for this situation that would act like a permanent wheel chock that would prevent the strain on the tranny so I could start actually using my driveway?
First, the parking pin is rated for chassis weights up to 25,000 lbs. You ain't gonna break it.
2ndly, the parking brake should hold, regardless of the grade.
Instead of finding a solution to a problem for a problem, fix your parking brake so it works properly. Then when parking, hold foot on service brakes pedal, set parking brake, then shift to park, then release foot from service brakes. When leaving, depress service brakes pedal, shift from park, then release parking brake. As mentioned, you won’t break your pin, but doing it the way I mentioned will minimize the loud clunk when pulling the shifter from park.
copy!! i just assumed the break was fine but simply couldn't handle that grade. if you say it should, ill look to have it fixed. like you say... problem solved!!
The 1999-2007 classic parking brake design is absolutely garbage. I don't know what the 2007+ models use, but probably the same junk.
I finally fixed it on my 2003 Suburban, replacing one part at a time.
New parking brake pads? Nope, still won't hold.
New disc brake rotor (parking brake drum)? Nope.
New parking brake cables? Nope.
New parking brake lever? Yes, finally works.
It appears the parking brake system in these trucks attempts to auto-adjust (ha!), and to facilitate that, it uses a slipper clutch on the pedal to limit maximum apply force. Over time, that clutch becomes weak, and while it will pull on the cables pretty hard, it doesn't pull hard enough. Going from the old worn out lever to the new one, it was a remarkable difference in force to apply the brakes. I never noticed it getting weak over time, but it definitely did.
My quick test to see if the parking brake system is working adequately or not is to park the vehicle on level ground, set the parking brake, then put the transmission in Drive and Reverse. The vehicle should not move. I don't apply any throttle, just let it idle. When my system was worn out, it would move on its own at idle in gear. Not so with the new parking brake lever.
Now, even with a brand new lever and properly adjusted parking brake shoes, I am not sure the parking brake will hold a truck on a steep hill. The system is anemic. But it is worth a shot.
So our new driveway is quite steep. The parking break in my truck can't hold the rig (not even close), and it's definitely putting strain on the selector pin (??)... I'm so worried about breaking something in the tranny that I'm parking on the street.
Is there anything (like a speed bump or something) specifically for this situation that would act like a permanent wheel chock that would prevent the strain on the tranny so I could start actually using my driveway?
Use some aircraft technology, curved wooden blocks against the wheels.
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