Parking Emergency Brake Adjustment

[razrback]

I installed new parking brake shoes. I adjusted to slight resistance with the rotor. Now I have little to no parking brakes.

Few questions -
1) Is the adjustment screw available via the dust cover or do i have to take it all apart to access?
2) I know the cable can be adjusted, is this an option?
3) If i have to open up again, how tight should I adjust the pads to the rotors?

 

[Hamfisted]

Use a brake adjustment caliper ( a large digital caliper also works....) and adjust the parking brake shoes so there's .015" clearance between the shoe diameter when released and the rotor's inner drum diameter. You have to do both sides. Anything else is wasting your time and not going to be setup correctly.

http://www.tooltopia.com/kd-tools-3377.aspx


-Mike

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

I was all through this last year with my 05. I could not get Ford or an independent shop to adjust my parking brake so that it held. I replaced rear rotors, pads, and parking shoes. They used the above tool to set the brakes to .015" and it still did not hold. We even put in some device that shortened the cable but it still wasn't enough.

The original cable that I had under the driver's seat appeared to have adjusting screw for the center cable that went to the brake pedal. I unfortunately had the cables replaced at the urging of my dealer and what they replaced it with had a fixed cable connection that had not adjustable. Look under your driver's side right about between the front and rear seat and find where the two cables tie together. If they have an adjustment there, then shorten the one running to the brake pedal. If I remember you have to loosen the nuts on either side and the shorten the cable. You may have to soak it with penetrating oil to free it up.

My observation is that the cable attaching to the pedal is too long and the brake pedal wants to go to the floor before the brake shoes fully engage. If you could shorten the cable so that it engages about halfway down, it would work the way that you want it to work.

Hope this makes sense and helps.

 

[Denethor]

Any idea if 3rd gen are adjustable in the same way? My 11 just started not grabbing any more or at least not enough to stop it from rolling on a steep incline

 

[Bedrck47]

Any idea if 3rd gen are adjustable in the same way? My 11 just started not grabbing any more or at least not enough to stop it from rolling on a steep incline

Yes your 2011 is the same

 

[Plati]

Ebrake been a frequent PITA for past 6 years on my 2003 XLT. In 2012 I put on new rotors and couldn't get ebrake to "hold". A mechanic friend told me you have to adjust them out as far as you can and still (just barely) get the rotor on. Even that requires a new rotor. Even then they were not holding really strong. There was no pulling out a rubber plug, had to disassemble all the way to adjust, so I got very good at disassemble/reassemble.

One year for inspection the shop I went to said their procedure (NYS) was to put in drive, put on ebrake, rev up to 1500 RPM and vehicle should not move. I went back 3 times and they finally got sick of me and passed it. Never go there again! I've been told they aren't parking brakes they are for an emergency stop and I believe it. I've also been told if you want your ebrake to work in "old age" you need to use it once a week for life. Reminds me of .... lets drop this discussion.

Last year I tested it and it never released right so major heat on that one rotor (and smell). Took it to my fav shop they did a rebuild and replaced the short cable in back and lubed everything replaced shoes now works (or did last time I checked UGGH).

You definitely need working ebrakes on an old Expy in WNY since brake lines and other things rust out and you might not have regular brakes at some point!!

 

[1955moose]

The emergency brake on expeditions leave a lot to be desired. The little shoes inside the hat rotor, aren't up to holding back a 5800 pound gorilla like we drive. Depending on the amount of stretch, you can buy some of the c clips that come with a set of old style brake shoes that came with ford or gm vehicles, that holds emergency brake arm to shoe. You can open it a little to go over cable end that attaches to metal frame, then bend back to hold tight. Use 2 or more to get rid of slack in cable. If you want to get real trick, find a real strong cable adjuster like the type on motorcycle clutch levers. You'll have to drill and tap the bracket that cable goes into. Most motorcycle adjusters are soft metal, so might take some looking. The cable slack adjusters I've tried didn't work out for me, but might for you. That and snugging up shoes should hold.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

 

[SoCalStig]

I couldn't find information that was helpful to me in the thread above. My 2006 Limited has 4-wheel disk brakes (instead of disk/drums). Does anyone know if the parking brakes on the Expeditions with disk brakes are adjustable, or can be tightened?? Mine will absolutely not hold the vehicle stationary on even the slightest incline or slope. Any thoughts or advises are greatly appreciated.

 

[Hamfisted]

All Expeditions are 4 wheel disc brakes. Take it to a brake shop ....

 

[Plati]

I couldn't find information that was helpful to me in the thread above. My 2006 Limited has 4-wheel disk brakes (instead of disk/drums). Does anyone know if the parking brakes on the Expeditions with disk brakes are adjustable, or can be tightened?? Mine will absolutely not hold the vehicle stationary on even the slightest incline or slope. Any thoughts or advises are greatly appreciated.

What part of my thread confused you? See the gear at the bottem in the picture? It spins on threads and pushes the brake shoes out (or in) ... thats how they are adjustable.

I agree though, take it to a brake shop.

Also, it can be the cable(s) and or the levers ... that are hung up.
Not just the shoes needing adjustment

 

[SoCalStig]

Okay, I think I understand now. I had never seen that there are separate brake shoes for the parking brakes that are not visible by looking at the brake rotor from the outside. Looking at a parts list and diagram showed me how they are actually setup. Learn something new every day.

Thank you for the information and clarification!

 

[Trainmaster]

Mr. Sticker sums it up, that star wheel is the adjustment, if there is anything left of the emergency brake mechanism and it hasn't all turned to rust and fallen out.

And yes, the rear disks have little drums cast into them that mate with the emergency brake shoes. After many years of neglect, everything in there just rusts to a hulk. Then you decide to test them for the first time in ten years and they never release.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Okay, I think I understand now. I had never seen that there are separate brake shoes for the parking brakes that are not visible by looking at the brake rotor from the outside. Looking at a parts list and diagram showed me how they are actually setup. Learn something new every day.

Thank you for the information and clarification!

I went crazy with this on my 05. I replaced all of the parking brake components, except the little scissor looking thing that helps push the shoes out to the drum when you set the parking brake. on my 17 the parking brake holds it on any hill with little or no problems.

Once you get the calipers off the rotor in the back and work the rotor loose and can access the brake shoes take it all apart and use a wire wheel on the pieces until the turn smoothly and freely, then coat them with anti-seize to keep them from rusting together. and reassemble them. There is great video of a guy working on the parking brake of an F150 and he shows how to do this. I'll post it if I can find it again.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Here's the video, he shows the part at about 5:30 into the video.

 

[5150 pops]

All Expeditions are 4 wheel disc brakes. Take it to a brake shop ....

Post more, love your avatar!!!!!