How strong should E-Brake hold?

[harriw]

Hey folks,

Just got a '94 ext. cab 4x4 w/ 4.0L from my brother-in-law (http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36137), and have a question. In my experience, stick-shift vehilcles have solid E-brakes (i.e. you stall out before you can get the vehicle to move an inch with the e-brake properly applied). On the other hand, it's usually pretty easy to drive along with the e-brake on in automatic-equiped vehicles (I guess because there's no "park" with a manual...?)

So on to my question... The e-brake on my new Ranger doesn't seem to hold very tight - I can definitely drive with it on.

Guess I should explain - I brought it home and pulled in the driveway yesterday, went to apply the e-brake, and found that it was already down a click or two (rear wheels stank, so it was definitely making contact). Not sure how it happened, but my guess is I did it while stepping on the clutch at some point. Don't know though - I've been watching my left foot, and I'm not convinced... I pull the break release every once in a while when driving now too to make sure it's off, but it hasn't happened since.

I'm still getting used to this new e-brake arrangement (I'm used to handle-style e-brakes), and forgot to take it off while backing away from the gas pump this afternoon, and was quite surprised at how easly I could drive away with the e-brake on (I realized almost instantly that I forgot to take it off, so I only went about 4 feet with it on).

So, is this normal (maybe that 4.0 is just THAT strong?), or should I have a look at my e-brake cable and/or rear brakes? My brother had his mechanics go over this thing with a fine-toothed comb, and they did actually put new front brakes and rotors on for me. They could have missed it I suppose - or could a loosely-applied e-brake toast the shoes and drums that badly? It was about 20 miles on the expressway from the dealership back to my in-laws house where I noticed, but it could have been applied anywhere between those two points.

I'm also not really stomping on the e-brake when I put it on. I could probably get 2-3 more clicks if I really wanted to. Think that would make any difference? I'm not worried about the truck rolling away in a flat parking lot - I just want to make sure my rear brakes are working and that my back end won't swing out next time I have to stamp on the brakes for a squirrel or something.

Thanks a lot for any help you folks might have!

-Bill

Any thoughts?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

there are no differences in e-brakes from automatic to manual transmissions. the reason you can drive off easier in an automatic is because the torque converter is doing its job...its multiplying torque to the wheels. its a lot more noticeable when your trying to slip the clutch and end up stalling.

our generation of trucks have a pretty unimpressive feel to the e-brake. the clutch pedal ratchet is very coarse and the mechanical advantage is little. it sounds like your brake is working normally.

here are a few tips for you though:

1. put the brake on more firmly. dont stand on it (that'll stretch your cables), but put it on firm enough that you KNOW its on when you drive off.

2. there is a dedicated e-brake light on the dash. make sure the bulb isnt burnt out and that the sensor on the pedal isnt stuck. its hard to miss a bright red warning light...especially at night.

3. there is actually a recall on this pedal assembly. sometimes, the ratchet will miss the teeth completely and the pedal will go to the floor without engaging the e-brake at all. if this happens (you'll feel it), pop the brake and try again. the recall requires the installation of two little wedges to prevent it from happening.

4. the rear brakes are "self adjusting". when working properly, they only adjust themselves when you hit the brakes while traveling backwards. every month or so i make a habbit of hauling ass backward in a parking lot and hitting the brakes fairly hard a few times.

if the self adjusters have gummed up (like they usually do), you can adjust the brakes manually through the adjuster hole in the backing plate.

 

[Bryan22]

My e-brake seems kinda weak too. I have to stand on it when i park i a driveway or it will roll backwards. Forward is fine, new pads and harware. Is it just they don't work good against rolling backwards or something else?

 

[Earl43P]

Worn out shoes = weak parking brake.

Could also be an adjustment problem. Either way, you need to pull the drums and find out.

My PB will stall the engine in 1st gear with normal application. It will let you roll in reverse, but you can feel it's not right (as soon as the clutch goes in, rolling stops - just like pressing the brake). If I apply the PB HARD, it'll stall you in reverse too.

 

[Mark_88]

Well, it looks like every item has been covered here...only thing I can add is that the e-brake light is on a switch on the pedal...if the light is not coming on look up under the dash for the connector and make sure it is on the tab properly before taking your dash apart to check the bulb...

I'm trying to remember if the light comes on when that switch is disconnected or not...but I don't think it does...

 

[Bryan22]

i've got new shoes, and it certainly will stall the vehicle going forward. i could get it to move in reverse, but like you say, i'd know the brake was on. Also i have the 9 Inch rears, maybe that's why they don't hold as well?

 

[harriw]

Hey folks,

Thanks for all the tips! After Earl mentioned it, I realized I'd only noticed the slipping when backing up. I added another click or two next time I put it on, tried 1st gear, and it was good and solid. Tried reverse too, and it held fairly well. Guess I just needed to hit it a bit harder.

I'm already planning some "parking lot testing" on the 4x4 system (previous owner put on warn manual hubs, and I want to verify how he set it all up), so I'll make sure to "adjust" the rear brakes then too (I always feel like a complete idiot doing that...)

Definitely no e-brake indicator though... I can't even find where on the dash its hiding - anyone know where to look on a '94? doesn't look like its on the left or right side with check engine/check oil or 4x4 and low-range indicators are... I'll definitely check for bad connections before tearing the dash apart - thanks for the tip.

-Bill

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

My PB will stall the engine in 1st gear with normal application.

you also have a much newer truck with a much better e-brake setup. the old and new e-brake ratchets are a day and night difference.

i can stall my truck if i stand on the e-brake pedal. a newer truck will stall just by normal or slightly-harder-than-normal application due to its revised e-brake design.

drums brakes do not function as well in reverse as they do going forward. the same is true for the normal service brakes. this is due to the design of the brakes themselves and has nothing to do with the e-brake.

 

[firefighter]

I've had my truck for two years. The parking brake cables were stiff and wouldn't release when i pulled the release, so i never use it. Just leave it in first and shut the truck off. Course when there isn't any option but parking on a hill I rarely use it. I've gotten good at judging where she'll roll back or not.

And for staling the engine. You really got to be buring up the clutch when doing that.