Rear disc emergency brake issues

[Cy Sanders]

My 2011 has rear discs and the emergency brake does not work. Everything seems to be in good working order including the rotors, shoes, cables, adjusting quadrant (maxed out) and internals. The cables just seemed stretched out! I also see no way to tighten them. What is the best fix? Is this a common issue? I hate to cut a cable and cable clamp it shorter or crimp or braze an adjuster in-line. Ready to mount two offset pullies on the frame rail! Thanks for the input.

 

[snoranger]

You could try rigging it with a cable shortener. It’s not the recommended way...

 

[Dirtman]

I thought 2010/2011 was disc only (no separate drum/shoes for parking brake) So the cable simply turns the disc piston in and out when the parking brake is applied.

Cable being stretched is definitely still an issue, but I have also seen the pistons get seized from turning in and out on the parking brake side but still push in and out on the main brake side.

 

[Dirtman]

And yea, the thing @snoranger shows works, but its a temporary fix like he said. There is currently one on my truck and it has the parking brake nice and tight but it's already damaging the cable. I just need to replace them, so its a good temporary solution.

 

[sheep herder]

I thought 2010/2011 was disc only (no separate drum/shoes for parking brake) So the cable simply turns the disc piston in and out when the parking brake is applied.

Cable being stretched is definitely still an issue, but I have also seen the pistons get seized from turning in and out on the parking brake side but still push in and out on the main brake side.

Parking brake is drum inside the disc rotor.

 

[Dirtman]

Parking brake is drum inside the disc rotor.

That's stupid!

 

[Cy Sanders]

Thanks for the input. I will look into the cable shortening/board stretcher device. It sucks because all the cables are in remarkably great shape besides being stretched. Need the brake to park on steep hills with the standard.
And yes I have the brake shoes inside the rotor drum. A sort of cam tightens the shoes. But with the cables stretched there is not enough throw in the pedal. Also considering melting a new lead barrel on the end of the main piece of cable after I cut it to fit or buying a set screw type barrel end if I can find one.
Thanks again!

 

[adsm08]

That's stupid!

It's better than the integrated calipers where you now need special tools to service brake pads and they are nigh impossible to bleed properly because of the extra passages inside the caliper.

 

[Dirtman]

It's better than the integrated calipers where you now need special tools to service brake pads and they are nigh impossible to bleed properly because of the extra passages inside the caliper.

This is why I thought there was no drum, I remember one of you guys complaining about needing to buy the special retraction tool to do the rear brakes on his 2011.

I never messed with a rear disc brake ranger so I have no first hand knowledge.

 

[sgtsandman]

Before you mess with the cables, make sure your brakes are adjusted. The adjuster on the parking brakes are manual and not automatic adjusting. About once a year, I have to adjust mine or at least check the adjustment because of that. If that checks out ok, then I would look at the cables.

 

[Cy Sanders]

Fixed my stretched cables for about $10. Used a set of patio door rollers and two 1/4 bolts. Only had to drill one hole. The lower one. The upper pulley fit in this handy slot so it’s adjustable.
Emergency Brake works great now!