Looking for a little guidance here: ‘97 Wrangler and the parking brake won’t hold the vehicle on the slightest incline. I took the Jeep to Les Schwab, they said the rotors are good, the pads are good with 5 mil, and they also adjusted the brakes. The brake handle was adjusted and feels completely normal when pulled. Underneath the Jeep the cable from the handle is loose when the brake is released and taut when it is pulled. Both cables to each rear tire are loose when released and taut when pulled. Everything looks completely normal and functional, it’s just that the brake won’t hold the Jeep in position. Has anyone had a similar problem and what are my options going forward here? Thanks in advance!
E-brake not working
- Thread starter JimAnderson65
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- e-brake
Take a good look at the E-brake cable hardware on the backside of the wheel to confirm the levers are being actuated by the cable and not frozen, this can produce the results you are experiencing.
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If your 97 is stock then it has drums in the rear. Checking rotors means they checked fronts or lied to you about the rears. OR your TJ has non-stock rear discs.
Jack up the rear, take wheels and drums off, and have someone slowly pull the e-brake handle (only part way so you don't overextend the wheel cylinders). See if things move evenly on both sides.
Jack up the rear, take wheels and drums off, and have someone slowly pull the e-brake handle (only part way so you don't overextend the wheel cylinders). See if things move evenly on both sides.
The Jeep has drums on the rear. I will check those items and see where it goes from there. Much appreciated guys/gals. Also, I have tried adjusting the handle pull anywhere from about 2 clicks to seven clicks. It currently is sitting about 5 clicks and the results are identical with any of these adjustments. Also, my mistake I should have said drums not rotors. They did check all the brakes front and rear and they were working correctly.
Your brake experts just need to adjust the rear shoes. Or they need to be replaced, then adjusted properly.
Agreed. A shoe adjustment on these things can be done without even taking the wheel off, at least that was the case on my '99 when I had drums. Jack the axle (leave the wheels on), pop off the little inspection plug, turn the star wheel until the wheel has a drag on it & you're done.
That is if the star wheel works...
Even if you did have discs, the parking brake is a drum inside the rotor (using the rotor as the hat). So I call BS there. You can adjust it a few places, the star adjuster on the back side (which I believe will also adjust your normal brakes if you have drums in the rear, so that may not be what you want) and/or where the cable from the lever connects to the two sides. This is where I adjusted mine, just get it firmer and then test it a few times while you dial it in.
Also, don't use Les Schwab - clearly you can do better at home!
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