Parking Brake System: Adjustments

NOTE: Inner and outer pads must be new or parallel. Parking brake adjustment is not valid with tapered pads and may cause caliper/parking brake binding. This will result in overheating and possible damage of the brake pads, rotors, and/or calipers.

Adjustments are not normally necessary after replacing the parking brake
lever or cables. The parking brake is adjusted automatically on drum brake equipped vehicles by pulling on the parking brake lever. Also, the rear brake drum adjustment can impact the initial travel of the parking brake. The adjustment process requires a second person to apply a light brake pedal load. Parking brake lever free-travel is set by the position of the adjuster screw. Turning the adjuster screw clockwise increases the free-travel while turning the adjuster screw counterclockwise decreases the free-travel. Inspect old pads and replace with new ones if they are tapered. Parking brake free-travel should only be changed if the caliper has been taken apart, or when the pads are replaced. This adjustment will not correct a condition where parking brake actuator levers will not return to their stops.





1. Disconnect the parking brake cable and remove the parking brake actuator lever return spring.
2. Have an assistant apply light brake pedal load, enough to stop rotor from turning by hand. This takes up all clearances and ensures that components are correctly aligned.
3. Apply light pressure to the parking brake actuator lever. Measure Free-travel between parking brake actuator lever and brake caliper at point B. Free-travel must be 0.61 to 0.71 mm (0.024 to 0.028 inch).
4. If free-travel is incorrect, perform the following:
a. Remove the adjuster screw.
b. Clean the old thread adhesive residue from the adjusting screw threads.
c. Coat the adjusting screw threads with adhesive.
d. Screw in adjuster screw far enough to obtain 0.61 to 0.71 mm (0.024 to 0.028 inch) free-travel between the parking brake actuator lever and the brake caliper at point B.
5. Have assistant release brake pedal, then apply brake pedal firmly three times.
6. Recheck free travel as described in steps 2 and 3 and adjust as necessary.
7. Install actuator lever return spring and parking brake cable.