Adjusting parking brake

[evansaero]

This is the support topic for the DIY Tutorial Adjusting parking brake. Please post here if you have any questions or feedback.

Edited February 20, 2010 by evansaero

[Loren]

There are two adjustments - at the wheels and at the handbrake handle itself.

To adjust:

1. Remove the rear wheels.

2. Release the parking brake lever and push back the brake pads of the rear axle until the brake disc can be turned freely.

3. Undo the adjustment nuts on the turnbuckle (arrow) until the cables are without pretension.

4. With a screwdriver, adjust the adjustment fixture through a threaded wheel bolt hole until the wheel can no longer be turned. Next, turn back the adjustment fixture through 5 notches again (release approx. 3 notches until the wheel can be turned freely, then release another 2 notches).

Repeat the procedure on the other wheel.

5. Pull up the parking brake lever by 2 teeth and turn the adjustment nut of the turnbuckle until both wheels can be turned manually with difficulty.

6. Release the parking brake lever and check whether both wheels can be turned freely.

[evansaero]

Thanks

[ADias]

Loren: I understood that the handbrake was a separate drum brake inside the rear wheel hubs. From your description it appears that applying the handbrake does indeed grab the rear disks. If that is the case I would be against leaving the haandbrake applied, when the car is on a level surface, if at all possible. I do not like to put a force on the rear calipers over a hot disk and let it cool that way.

Edited September 15, 2006 by ADias

[Loren]

No the handbrake uses the drum type shoes inside the rear hubs.

[lrapoport]

It is pretty easy. I just did it last weekend. I don't think they were ever adjusted since new. I had to turn each adjuster 3-4 full turns to get to where they start dragging.

[ALLSPEED]

I know this is an old thread but could I get some quick advice? Car is a 99 996 C2 3.4 U.S. My parking brake is way out. So I don't have to take off the rotor, which way do you turn the adjusting nut in the hub to tighten the brake shoe. I know this sounds stupid but I don't want to get it too far out. Thanks. For instance, on the drivers side.

[ALLSPEED]

Never mind, I got it.

[logray]

Which way did you turn it? CW or CCW?

[ALLSPEED]

Don't remember. I was hurting too much lying on the concrete with a screwdriver and a flashlight. I know it doesn't take many turns to find the limit either way. One or two flats can make the difference. Sorry, Robert.