Parking Brake Adjustment

[They Call Me Whatshisname]

This is for an '06 enthusiast model. Not sure if the center console is the same on other models.

If you're parking brake isn't up to par with how you want it to be, I discovered a super easy way to adjust it. I haven't found a write up like this on these forums but if there is one like it, disregard.

I felt my parking brake sucked because on a minor incline I had to yank it hard to keep it from moving. This is how I fixed that.

Tools: Flat head screwdriver (or something to pop off the coin thing in the cup holder)
10mm deep socket (extender helps)



Start by opening the cup holder and wedge a flat head in between the fuzzy coin holder and the plastic to make the coin holder pop off. (ignore dirty cup holder )





Pull up the parking brake 2 or 3 clicks so the ratchet will go onto the nut. Tighten the nut until you make it so that the parking brake stops after 6 or 7 clicks. Only use about 44 lb's of force don't man handle it.



Clip coin holder back on and you're good to go! No more watching your car slowly pull away on hills.

[kuhan]

Interesting. I need to look into this since after installing Endless bbk, the rear e-brakes don't grab as firm as they used to be.
I have to yank the handle all the way up to keep the car still. Thanks for the tip.

[They Call Me Whatshisname]

Interesting. I need to look into this since after installing Endless bbk, the rear e-brakes don't grab as firm as they used to be.
I have to yank the handle all the way up to keep the car still. Thanks for the tip.

Yeah I was at a mcdonald's and there was a slight incline and I pulled it pretty good and just started moving backwards which is kind of a sucky feeling haha. The parking brake is an important part of my driving style because there are a lot of hills here and I don't like starting on hills without it because I feel I put more stress then needed on the clutch.

[Ace2cool]

The other adjustment should be through the hole in the hat of the rotor. Rotate the rotor and use a flashlight to look for the star adjustment bit (it will most likely be at either the top or bottom) and rotate it either up or down (depends on the vehicle, it's up on my Z32, down on my buddy's Altima) using a flathead screwdriver to adjust the tension preload on the shoes. Rotate it until it stops moving, (which means the shoes are now contacting the hat) and back it off about 3-4 clicks. Repeat for the other side.

That would be the proper was to adjust an e-brake, but it requires the removal of the wheel. The procedure you described is compensating the lost shoe pad with tension on the cable. It works, but I'd rather have that adjustment available for when the cable becomes stretched over time.

....And that's Ace's tech corner for today. Tune in next week to see him change the oil in a Porsche 911 GT3! (I wish, haha)

[hitbychance]

wow, thanks for the pics, i noticed mine was very weak lately as well, i'll have to try it

[Harman850T5]

The other adjustment should be through the hole in the hat of the rotor. Rotate the rotor and use a flashlight to look for the star adjustment bit (it will most likely be at either the top or bottom) and rotate it either up or down (depends on the vehicle, it's up on my Z32, down on my buddy's Altima) using a flathead screwdriver to adjust the tension preload on the shoes. Rotate it until it stops moving, (which means the shoes are now contacting the hat) and back it off about 3-4 clicks. Repeat for the other side.

That would be the proper was to adjust an e-brake, but it requires the removal of the wheel. The procedure you described is compensating the lost shoe pad with tension on the cable. It works, but I'd rather have that adjustment available for when the cable becomes stretched over time.

....And that's Ace's tech corner for today. Tune in next week to see him change the oil in a Porsche 911 GT3! (I wish, haha)

This is the method I use. Also don't forget to back them down all the way when changing rotors or bad things will happen. (If it's anything like a newer 4Runner)

[sluggoZ]

Good posts!