E-Brake Re-connect Issues

[truk820]

Hi all,

I reconnected my e-brake assembly tonight and have a few questions...

When I press down on the e-brake pedal it locks but no longer 'clicks' on its way down. I'm thinking it's fine because it's still locking but interested in hearing if that is normal.

After I engaged the brake I went to the rear axle and to test and make sure it was working. The tire is off and I tried to rotate the axle...no luck, so I assumed the brake was engaged and working properly. However, after I disengaged the brake the rear was still VERY difficult, if not impossible, for me to rotate. I checked the cable at the e-brake pedal and made sure the cable was sliding back into its sleeve when I disengaged - it was.

I'm not sure what the deal is but I did replace the drums / rotors a while back and haven't driven it since. I'm thinking it's something in there but if it's normal to have a lot of tension with the e-brake disengaged then I'm ok with it...but if it should be spinning freely I'm not too sure where I should start.

Per the usual, any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[gert]

Sounds like something is sticking, you should have the drum brake shoes adjusted to where they just barely contact the drums, the wheels should freely turn, after that when you apply/release the parking brake it should go back to how it was. One problem with drum brakes is that the brake shoes slide across the backing plate under spring pressure it could be sticking due to rust, also parking brake cables have a bad habit of rusting and sticking as well. Have you driven it around the block and used the brakes a few times to see if this condition goes away? sometimes it just needs to be used a little to get it back in order

 

[Hedgehog]

When on your test run back up a few times, backing sets the brake adjustment on self adjusting drum brakes.

Since we are on the general subject of E-brakes. My PO kindly removed all signe of an E-brake on my '75. The brake drum parts were replaced and new cables were installed. I left some slack in the junction where the cables meet, but there still isn't much movememt in the pedal. Is this common when the brakes cables are new?

Also, where do the cables run that go to the drum .... inside the frame or outside the frame? I've got mine inside, but there isn't much room in there. I'll need to hold the cables back to keep them from burning on the mufflers (the jeep had headers, cats and full sized (something or other) flow mufflers.) She's tight in there.

 

[truk820]

Thanks for the info - I adjusted the drums a bit and although they're quite snug I think they're all set. My only concern is that one side is tighter than the other but I'll give it some time and see if I notice anything different.

Re: the ebrake line, not sure of the pedal-movement concern but my lines are outside of the frame on the inside rail on the driver side. Then they run across the rear brace to the rear passenger rail (I can take some pics if you'd like)

Cheers!

 

[Hedgehog]

The intermediates are different enough where pictures won't help. Mine has a single line that meets two rear lines at more or less the vehicle center. The two rear lines are VERY long requiring a big loop going back then forward. An odd arraignment indeed. The rear lines could go either inside the frame or outside. Outside seems like a safety issue, if you shred a tire the pieces could grab the brake line like they did on the Ford Explorer.

 

[Flex BT]

Also make sure your e-brake adjustment is set loose enough that it is not partially engaged when the brake is released.