99 E Brake questions

[cjk5063]

99 xlt 4x4, have a few things going on and interested if they may be related. Recently got the truck, prior owner had done new shoes on the rear, maybe other brake work.

1. E brake does not fully engage. Pedal will go to the floor but the truck will roll on a grade. It's an auto trans so it sits in park.
2. E brake light on dash does not come on when brake is on.

Odds that these are related? I'm first going to look into adjusting the cable, but will likely also end up pulling the rear wheels and drums just to check things out.

Thanks in advance guys.

 

[cjk5063]

So, more info. I pulled the rear wheels today and took a look in the right rear drum. There is a cable with a small spring and bracket on the end of it that attaches to the rocker arm for the e brake. This was not attached for whatever reason. So I put that back in place around the cable guide and onto the rocker arm.

I also adjusted the brake by way of the star wheels, however they both spun pretty easily. If I turn them too much can they bottom out? Should they be adjusted with the e brake engaged and the drum on or off? Does this indicate a stretched e brake line?

Also, with the e brake off, I was unable to remove the left drum, I could spin it a little but it felt like it was binding on something when I tried to pull it off.

After the adjustment I did, she still won't hold on a slight grade and the pedal goes nearly to the floor.

Any help is appreciated.


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

 

[pjtoledo]

the cables are notorious for seizing. check that both cables move freely.
check the crossbar, if its not correct the ebrake cable won't expand the shoes.
there are several lengths of Ebrake cables for different configurations, they are only an inch or so different and its real easy to put the wrong one in. BTDT
the brakes are adjusted with the cables fully relaxed/released, drum on.

 

[pjtoledo]

So, more info. I pulled the rear wheels today and took a look in the right rear drum. There is a cable with a small spring and bracket on the end of it that attaches to the rocker arm for the e brake. This was not attached for whatever reason. So I put that back in place around the cable guide and onto the rocker arm.

I also adjusted the brake by way of the star wheels, however they both spun pretty easily. If I turn them too much can they bottom out? Should they be adjusted with the e brake engaged and the drum on or off? Does this indicate a stretched e brake line?

Also, with the e brake off, I was unable to remove the left drum, I could spin it a little but it felt like it was binding on something when I tried to pull it off.

After the adjustment I did, she still won't hold on a slight grade and the pedal goes nearly to the floor.

Any help is appreciated.


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

did you get the drum off yet?
2 reasons
1 drum is worn, has a lip, shoes are too far out to pass over lip.
2. shoes too far out and dragging on drum


solution, remove the rubber plug, use a thin screwdriver to push that pivoting bracket away from the star wheel, use another screwdriver to spin the star so the shoes can retract inwards. Its a bit awkward to do this.

 

[cjk5063]

Nope going to get it off tomorrow. Saw that elsewhere, will give it a shot.

What's the best way to check for seized cables? Have someone depress e brake when drum is off and watch?

 

[cjk5063]

did you get the drum off yet?

2 reasons

1 drum is worn, has a lip, shoes are too far out to pass over lip.

2. shoes too far out and dragging on drum





solution, remove the rubber plug, use a thin screwdriver to push that pivoting bracket away from the star wheel, use another screwdriver to spin the star so the shoes can retract inwards. Its a bit awkward to do this.

Got it off, backed the adjustment screw off a bit (it was a pain like you implied), and tapped lightly around the outside of the drum. Was able to adjust the left and correct the right to the point where they were dragging a bit in neutral and lock with the e brake on.