The parking break cable has tension, even though the brake lever is down as far as it will go: the lever doesn't go down to the point where it is flush with the center console. According to pictures in the Haynes manual, there is no cable adjuster on model years greater than 2002. Can the lever itself be adjusted? All suggestions welcome.
94 parking brake adjustment
- Thread starter msn
- Start date
zora
Staff member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2012
- Messages
- 5,516
- Reaction score
- 139
- Points
- 63
Your title states you have a 94? Then you state the Haynes manual says there is no adjuster after 2002 so how is that relevant to your 94? Did you look under the car at the cable to see if there is an adjustment? This link indicates there should be an equalizer/adjustment rod
http://www.autozone.com/repairguide...994/PARKING-BRAKE/Cables/_/P-0900c1528003bfcd
http://www.autozone.com/repairguide...994/PARKING-BRAKE/Cables/_/P-0900c1528003bfcd
It pays to proof read: in my haste I typed '94' instead of '04'. Anyway, I removed the center console to check the movement of the brake lever. Everything there looked OK. The stop position when the brake handle is released is fixed, so apparently the lever never did close flush with the console. The parking break return spring on the passenger side has so much tension on it that I'm not able to retract it enough to install the new shoe lever. The driver side spring doesn't have tension: it's normal. The cables move freely to both wheels. The last thing I can think of to check is the connection from the front cable to the rear cable. I'll have to chisel the rust off of it, but it doesn't look adjustable according to the pictures in the manual.
Checked the rear brake cable again: the cable going to the passenger side wheel (the one I'm having trouble with) is actually two pieces connected by a 3 inch long splice or connector, for what reason I don't know. Each end of the cables have the terminal end (for lack of the actual name) that is crimped into this connector. I've check auto parts stores and chevy parts outlets, but I don't see a reference to this part anywhere. I was hoping I could get one about 1 inch longer, which would eliminate the tension on that side.
zora
Staff member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2012
- Messages
- 5,516
- Reaction score
- 139
- Points
- 63
did you back off the star wheel?
did you remove the lower spring?
you are sure the cable is not frozen?
diagram of system
http://parts.nalleygmc.com/showAsse...iveline=0&ukey_trimlevel=14351&modelYear=2004
did you remove the lower spring?
you are sure the cable is not frozen?
diagram of system
http://parts.nalleygmc.com/showAsse...iveline=0&ukey_trimlevel=14351&modelYear=2004
The problem became obvious when I attempted to install the new leading shoes, so at that point the adjuster and springs were not yet installed.
The cable moves freely from front to back and to both wheels, with no sign of corrosion on them.
The diagram you referred me to indicates that the tension equalizer is applicable to the 2004 Cavalier, but when the corresponding part number is searched on the GM Parts website it comes up as applicable only to the Olds Aurora.
At any rate, having run out of time for this project, I left the brake lever detached on the one side, without much worry since the it's an automatic. Also, according to what I've read the self-adjusting system on these later models doesn't require actuation of the brake lever.
I thank you for the suggestions and the prompt responses.
The cable moves freely from front to back and to both wheels, with no sign of corrosion on them.
The diagram you referred me to indicates that the tension equalizer is applicable to the 2004 Cavalier, but when the corresponding part number is searched on the GM Parts website it comes up as applicable only to the Olds Aurora.
At any rate, having run out of time for this project, I left the brake lever detached on the one side, without much worry since the it's an automatic. Also, according to what I've read the self-adjusting system on these later models doesn't require actuation of the brake lever.
I thank you for the suggestions and the prompt responses.