Parking Brake Does Not Fully Return

[tucsonjwt]

When I depress my parking brake to set it, then release it with the lever, the brake pedal does not return to its fully disengaged (up) position. I have to use the toe of my left shoe to pull it up all the way. The brake warning light also stays on until I manually lift it all the way with my foot. Is there a fix for this?

[dan76]

I may have missed the year/model/make of your truck. Each major year grouping of GM pickups seem to have a slightly different set up.

[tucsonjwt]

1983 Chevy C20.

[dan76]

Lube the ratcheting assembly under the dash. Apply a spray lube only where you see moving parts. Check the parking brake cable beneath the truck for rust/dirt/wear and ensure the hangers are not worn. Usually I'll apply a light coating of grease to each fitting to ensure the cable runs smoothly. But most likely the first solution will solve the problem.

[tucsonjwt]

I lubed the parking brake assembly under the dash. This appears not to be the problem. The brake pedal moves freely. When the brake lever is pulled, the brake pedal still has about 1 - 1.5" of travel left. When I lift the pedal the rest of the way manually, the brake cable (where it connects to the brake pedal assembly) does not move. Does this mean I need to take up slack in the brake cable itself?

[tucsonjwt]

So, I am under the truck, rear wheels off the ground, parking break pedal depressed 4 clicks of the ratchet ready to adjust the parking brake. My Haynes manual says: "Loosen the locknut on the cable equalizer and then tighten the adjuster nut until a slight drag is felt when the rear wheels are turned." Problem: I see no locknut - turning the adjustment nut just caused the whole cable to turn. I see no locknut in the LMC catalog graphic for the parking brake assembly. Am I supposed to squeeze the C shaped equalizer with vise grips to stop the cable from turning when turning the adjustment nut? I don't get it. Thanks.