Adjust parking brake?? - North American Grand Cherokee Association

WXman · 01-20-2009, 07:41 AM

I searched, found nothing...

I just picked up a '96 ZJ from a friend. One thing I need to do ASAP is adjust the parking brake. It currently does not hold the Jeep at all. I do know that all the brake pads are new, including the shoes for the parking brakes. So I am assuming the cable just needs adjustment. Is this correct or is there another common issue with these Jeeps? Any tricks on how to adjust it??

Gaze · 01-20-2009, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WXman

I searched, found nothing...

I just picked up a '96 ZJ from a friend. One thing I need to do ASAP is adjust the parking brake. It currently does not hold the Jeep at all. I do know that all the brake pads are new, including the shoes for the parking brakes. So I am assuming the cable just needs adjustment. Is this correct or is there another common issue with these Jeeps? Any tricks on how to adjust it??

The general rule of thumb is to adjust the parking brake on the rear brake shoes, not where the cables come together under the center of the vehicle. I'd suggest picking up a Haynes manual. The pictures and instructions in there are clearer than anything I've been able to track down on here.

swoop95 · 01-20-2009, 11:04 AM

Listen to Gaze adjust the rear brakes first, then if needed you can get under the vehicle and adjust the e brake cable thing

heres a pic of it

WXman · 01-20-2009, 12:26 PM

Can you use a screwdriver to reach in that hole on the backing plate, or do you have to have one of those brake adjustment tools?

wjcando · 01-22-2009, 05:38 AM

If it's pretty much like the WJ, I found that a screwdriver or one of those little paint can openers the paint store gives away (beer bottle opener on other side

) works just fine.

WXman · 01-22-2009, 06:53 AM

OK...in that picture that Swoop posted....I tried to turn that nut and it won't turn at all. It has been soaking in WD-40 for a few days and still wouldn't turn. I guess it's going to take some more force to turn that puppy.

So anyway, I'm going to forget that for now and start by adjusting each cable at the shoes like you guys say. So we'll see what happens tonight when I get a chance to do it. Does your parking brake hold your Jeep well?

swoop95 · 01-22-2009, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WXman

OK...in that picture that Swoop posted....I tried to turn that nut and it won't turn at all. It has been soaking in WD-40 for a few days and still wouldn't turn. I guess it's going to take some more force to turn that puppy.

So anyway, I'm going to forget that for now and start by adjusting each cable at the shoes like you guys say. So we'll see what happens tonight when I get a chance to do it. Does your parking brake hold your Jeep well?

Just FYI the reason I took that pic is cause I couldn't adjust the one I had it was rusted solid. So I pulled one at a junk yard and through it up under there.

Preppi12 · 01-22-2009, 08:30 AM

Lots of heat will be your friend to get it broken loose. I let mine soak for a couple days when I adjusted mine but I ended up having to get it cherry red before it would budge.

WXman · 01-22-2009, 11:41 AM

And FWIW, the instructions in the Haynes manual on how to do this make NO sense whatsoever.

01-20-2009, 07:41 AM	#1
WXman Senior Member Grand Junkie Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 122	Adjust parking brake?? I searched, found nothing... I just picked up a '96 ZJ from a friend. One thing I need to do ASAP is adjust the parking brake. It currently does not hold the Jeep at all. I do know that all the brake pads are new, including the shoes for the parking brakes. So I am assuming the cable just needs adjustment. Is this correct or is there another common issue with these Jeeps? Any tricks on how to adjust it??

01-20-2009, 11:04 AM	#3
swoop95 Senior Member Grand Master Join Date: May 2006 Location: East Alabama; West Georgia Posts: 1,185	Listen to Gaze adjust the rear brakes first, then if needed you can get under the vehicle and adjust the e brake cable thing heres a pic of it __________________ 95 5.2L Limited - NP231 Swap - Novak Shifter - Turbo City Dual Intake w/ K&N Filters - Flowmaster 40 - Hayden Tranny Cooler - RE Lift - 32" BFG A/T's - KOR TBC - Full Skids 2009 Harley Davidson FXDB - 2009 2DR JK Wrangler

01-20-2009, 12:26 PM	#4
WXman Senior Member Grand Junkie Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 122	Can you use a screwdriver to reach in that hole on the backing plate, or do you have to have one of those brake adjustment tools? __________________ 1996 ZJ - 4.0L - NV 242 - 4.11s - 2" lift - 31x10.50 TreadWrights on Black Rock wheels - skids - KOR tow pointz - Aussie Locker - DT8000s

01-22-2009, 06:53 AM	#6
WXman Senior Member Grand Junkie Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 122	OK...in that picture that Swoop posted....I tried to turn that nut and it won't turn at all. It has been soaking in WD-40 for a few days and still wouldn't turn. I guess it's going to take some more force to turn that puppy. So anyway, I'm going to forget that for now and start by adjusting each cable at the shoes like you guys say. So we'll see what happens tonight when I get a chance to do it. Does your parking brake hold your Jeep well? __________________ 1996 ZJ - 4.0L - NV 242 - 4.11s - 2" lift - 31x10.50 TreadWrights on Black Rock wheels - skids - KOR tow pointz - Aussie Locker - DT8000s

01-22-2009, 08:30 AM	#8
Preppi12 Senior Member Grand Master Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Petersburg, VA Posts: 1,137	Lots of heat will be your friend to get it broken loose. I let mine soak for a couple days when I adjusted mine but I ended up having to get it cherry red before it would budge. __________________ -Matt - www.moonworksoffroad.com

01-22-2009, 05:38 AM	#5
wjcando Member Grand Rookie Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 79	If it's pretty much like the WJ, I found that a screwdriver or one of those little paint can openers the paint store gives away (beer bottle opener on other side ) works just fine.

01-22-2009, 11:41 AM	#9
WXman Senior Member Grand Junkie Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 122	And FWIW, the instructions in the Haynes manual on how to do this make NO sense whatsoever. __________________ 1996 ZJ - 4.0L - NV 242 - 4.11s - 2" lift - 31x10.50 TreadWrights on Black Rock wheels - skids - KOR tow pointz - Aussie Locker - DT8000s

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