Parking brake not holding after rear brake job

[BobbySpeed]

Finish my rear brake job today and since then my emergency brake is not holding when I park it.

I also I'm hearing a little squealing from the rear brakes when I drive which I thought was just the pads wearing the coating off of the rotors. The car is breaking very well, and the pedal is right where it belongs- nice and high.

[mihaipopa]

You might have a broken spring. I found mine hanging loose from the top hook, behind the rotor, with the bottom part shattered. They come in a kit, and I believe they're the same that vw, audi and even bmw sells. Takes a bit of effort to get it stretched so that it hooks properly at both ends, but it's doable with a pair of fine nosed pliers. Wear safety goggles, lots of tension on that little spring.

[JFP in PA]

You might have a broken spring. I found mine hanging loose from the top hook, behind the rotor, with the bottom part shattered. They come in a kit, and I believe they're the same that vw, audi and even bmw sells. Takes a bit of effort to get it stretched so that it hooks properly at both ends, but it's doable with a pair of fine nosed pliers. Wear safety goggles, lots of tension on that little spring.

 

What you need is a cheap brake tool that makes removing or reinstalling drum brake springs a snap:

 

  Less than $10 on Amazon : http://www.amazon.com/OTC-4590-Brake-Spring-Plier/dp/B00063V40G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424553458&sr=8-1&keywords=drum+brake+tool

[mihaipopa]

Right on, JFP, really useful little tool. I actually bought one, well afterwards :), and tried it on a spring, makes the job way easier 

[JFP in PA]

Right on, JFP, really useful little tool. I actually bought one, well afterwards :), and tried it on a spring, makes the job way easier 

 

And what is really neat about this cheap tool is that it will work on any drum brake system, regardless of manufacture.

[ferrytrip1]

You might have a broken spring. I found mine hanging loose from the top hook, behind the rotor, with the bottom part shattered. They come in a kit, and I believe they're the same that vw, audi and even bmw sells. Takes a bit of effort to get it stretched so that it hooks properly at both ends, but it's doable with a pair of fine nosed pliers. Wear safety goggles, lots of tension on that little spring.

 

 

Ddo cars still have drum brakes?  I assumed they were only fitted to low spec, non performance models.

 

BobbyS - try cycling the parking brake on and off a few times it may need to find its point to hold.

 

Cheers

[JFP in PA]

 

You might have a broken spring. I found mine hanging loose from the top hook, behind the rotor, with the bottom part shattered. They come in a kit, and I believe they're the same that vw, audi and even bmw sells. Takes a bit of effort to get it stretched so that it hooks properly at both ends, but it's doable with a pair of fine nosed pliers. Wear safety goggles, lots of tension on that little spring.

 

 

Ddo cars still have drum brakes?  I assumed they were only fitted to low spec, non performance models.

 

 

 

Sure do, most small or inexpensive cars, and many trucks, still use rear drum brakes.  And just about every car with rear discs (including most Porsches) uses an internal drum brake assembly for the emergency brake.

[BobbySpeed]

Great, I will order the tool, and I think since I will be in there I will just replace the parking brake shoes and hardware.

Once I am done with the install, is there an adjustment procedure for the parking brake so I get a fairly high pedal and don't have to press almost all the way to the floor?

[JFP in PA]

Great, I will order the tool, and I think since I will be in there I will just replace the parking brake shoes and hardware.

Once I am done with the install, is there an adjustment procedure for the parking brake so I get a fairly high pedal and don't have to press almost all the way to the floor?

 

http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/35926-diy-adjusting-the-foot-brake/