Parking brake won't engage - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

maepis · 10-15-2015, 05:17 AM

My truck is a 78 Scottsdale and when I press the parking brake it makes the normal ratcheting sound and the pedal stays down but there is no brake at all. I tested it on a hill to make sure and I can keep my foot pressing on the pedal and the truck still rolls as if there is nothing there. Any ideas on what would cause this or what I need to look at? I don't know anything about the parking brake at all.

chengny · 10-15-2015, 09:35 AM

Yeah, all that clicking is just what you think - the ratcheting mechanism engaging and locking the e-brake pedal in place where you left it - so the cables remain under tension while you are gone. But that is only if they actually get tensioned when you apply the brake. Even if there where no cable attached the noise would still be the same.

Just because you hear that sound is no indication that anything other than the pedal is being locked down. The cable themselves don't make any noise.

You are going to have to crawl under and do some investigating. Here is what your e-brake system looks like:

Look for broken cables, connecting links, etc. The problem will most likely jump right out at you.

Shugalou · 10-15-2015, 01:48 PM

Take a look at the number 6 area. It should be bolt holding it down...Try tightening that bolt to see if it will engage - this will take up the slack in the lines if there is any. If not I might be the cables that go the drums - they are cheap and there is a good how to on youtube on how to change it.

Check it out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7icGZbag30c

swissarmychainsaw · 10-15-2015, 07:52 PM

I agree with these guys:
Apply the parking brake, (on a safe level surface & chock the wheels);
Crawl under there and see if the cables are engaged.

If not, then you know the parking brake is not pulling the cable properly.

If they ARE engaged, then your rear brakes are not self adjusting, and this ALSO means you don't have rear brakes.

Take parking brake off, Raise rear end:
Remove rear wheel, remove drum (this will come off easily if your rear brakes are not engaged)
Check the condition of your brakes.
Likely your automatic adjuster is gummed up and not adjusting.

If what I'm saying so far is true, I would just replace the springs/adjusters and shoes as needed.

10-15-2015, 05:17 AM	#1
maepis Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Bentonville, AR Posts: 3	Parking brake won't engage My truck is a 78 Scottsdale and when I press the parking brake it makes the normal ratcheting sound and the pedal stays down but there is no brake at all. I tested it on a hill to make sure and I can keep my foot pressing on the pedal and the truck still rolls as if there is nothing there. Any ideas on what would cause this or what I need to look at? I don't know anything about the parking brake at all.

10-15-2015, 09:35 AM	#2
chengny Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 349	Re: Parking brake won't engage Yeah, all that clicking is just what you think - the ratcheting mechanism engaging and locking the e-brake pedal in place where you left it - so the cables remain under tension while you are gone. But that is only if they actually get tensioned when you apply the brake. Even if there where no cable attached the noise would still be the same. Just because you hear that sound is no indication that anything other than the pedal is being locked down. The cable themselves don't make any noise. You are going to have to crawl under and do some investigating. Here is what your e-brake system looks like: Look for broken cables, connecting links, etc. The problem will most likely jump right out at you. Last edited by chengny; 10-15-2015 at 09:52 AM.

10-15-2015, 01:48 PM	#3
Shugalou Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 458	Re: Parking brake won't engage Take a look at the number 6 area. It should be bolt holding it down...Try tightening that bolt to see if it will engage - this will take up the slack in the lines if there is any. If not I might be the cables that go the drums - they are cheap and there is a good how to on youtube on how to change it. Check it out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7icGZbag30c __________________ Found my dad's old truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=563321 Newspaper Article Publishing the quest find my dad's old truck http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...ticle12494281/

10-15-2015, 07:52 PM	#4
swissarmychainsaw Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: san francisco, ca (east bay) Posts: 674	Re: Parking brake won't engage I agree with these guys: Apply the parking brake, (on a safe level surface & chock the wheels); Crawl under there and see if the cables are engaged. If not, then you know the parking brake is not pulling the cable properly. If they ARE engaged, then your rear brakes are not self adjusting, and this ALSO means you don't have rear brakes. Take parking brake off, Raise rear end: Remove rear wheel, remove drum (this will come off easily if your rear brakes are not engaged) Check the condition of your brakes. Likely your automatic adjuster is gummed up and not adjusting. If what I'm saying so far is true, I would just replace the springs/adjusters and shoes as needed.



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