Brake/E-Brake problem

[USMCtruckGUY1907]

I have a 1998 ranger xlt 4x4, 5spd manual. I release the ebrake, but the ebrake light remains on in the dash and flickers off when I change gears. But the problem is; I dont think its actually releasing the ebrake off all the way because my brakes constantly squeak while im driving and squeak louder when i actually brake. Im thinking its the emergency brake cable causing the brakes to "drag". Im not familiar with fixing brakes myself, and dont really have the money to take it anywhere. If anybody has any ideas for me or steps i can take to fix it, Id really appreciate it a lot. Thanks guys.

 

[bduke23]

Yea it could definaetly be the cable sticking. Try popping off the tire and spinning the drum by hand. It should spin freely, as in almost no effort to turn it. If not, it may be one of two things:

E-Brake cable --> You can disconnect the ebrake by popping the cable and spring off the lever it pulls on. Just leave it loose in the drum, and put the drum and wheel back on and go for a quick drive. If your brakes are back to normal, then its something with the e brake.

Brake adjustment --> If there is no change, it could be that your shoes are not adjusted properly (as in their adjusted too tight). To fix that, put your e brake cable back on the lever, and yout drum back on. At the bottom of the backing plate, on the inside of the vehicle, will be a rectangular rubber plug with rounded corners about an inch long. Pry that out, and use a screwdriver to loosen the starwheel adjuster, and therefore loosen the brakes. When they are adjusted correctly, you should be able to spin the drum freely, yet there will be almost no gap to take up in the brakes before they contact the drum.

Hope this helps!

 

[hondaxr650]

Have you checked your brake fluid? That light is also turned on by the float in the master cylinder and could flicker due to fluid slosh when shifting gears.