Parking Brake Loose

**recon4christ** · 12-09-2008, 12:12

How can I tighten my parking brake? I got a 05 TJ and the brake won't hold on a slight incline.

**HillBillE** · 12-09-2008, 14:30

First make sure the rear brakes are good, (especially drums).

Then, under the Jeep, trace the parking brake cables from the rear axle to where they join, there will be 3 cables, one from the handle(foot pedal) and the 2 from the rear wheels. There is an adjustment there.

You don't want it so tight it drags when disengaged, so having the rear up in the air so you can spin the tires is a good idea.

You may need to use some PB Blaster for a dat or two, if you live in a corrosive area.

**radjeep** · 12-09-2008, 15:08

Just a note, I have never had a parking break hold on an incline or decline with anything above stock tires. I am not sure if you are lifted with after market tires. But if you have drums in the rear and over sized tires or a large amount of additional weight from skids or new cage or big beefy bumpers you might have trouble rolling.

I always drove a standard so along with the parking break I always left it in first gear to keep me from moving with the engine off. Not the best for the tranny but it gives you a little extra roll protection.

Also try what HillBillE suggested about the bolts and see if that helps.

**JoeySnow70** · 12-09-2008, 15:42

PM you my # give me a call if you want me to give you a hand with your E-Brake...
Joe

**JimhatTJ** · 12-09-2008, 15:54

you do not want to adjust your ebrake at the connection on the bottom of the tub!!!

on each backing plate there is a small rubber gromet, pull that out and then use a flat blade screw driver to adjust the adjustment screw while spinning the tire.

i have 37's on stock axles and my parking brake works fine.

i have adjusted the ebrake both ways and the adjustment at the backing plate is the method you want to use.

from jeep forum::

ADJUSTMENT WITH ADJUSTING TOOL
(1) Be sure parking brake lever is fully released.
(2) Raise vehicle so rear wheels can be rotated
freely.
(3) Remove plug from each access hole in brake
support plates.
(4) Loosen parking brake cable adjustment nut
until there is slack in front cable.
(5) Insert adjusting tool through support plate
access hole and engage tool in teeth of adjusting
screw star wheel (Fig. 62).
(6) Rotate adjuster screw star wheel (move tool
handle upward) until slight drag can be felt when
wheel is rotated.
(7) Push and hold adjuster lever away from star
wheel with thin screwdriver.
(8) Back off adjuster screw star wheel until brake
drag is eliminated.
(9) Repeat adjustment at opposite wheel. Be sure
adjustment is equal at both wheels.
(10) Install support plate access hole plugs.
(11) Adjust parking brake cable and lower vehicle.
(12) Drive vehicle and make one forward stop followed
by one reverse stop. Repeat procedure 8-10
times to operate automatic adjusters and equalize
adjustment.
NOTE: Bring vehicle to complete standstill at each
stop. Incomplete, rolling stops will not activate
automatic adjusters.

most of the time i have yet to see the automatic adjusters work, this is why i adjust them manually about once a year and my parking brake has held fine.
62,000 miles and still using the stock parking brake pads.

**recon4christ** · 12-09-2008, 20:02

Hey thanks for the input, my jeep is lifted with 32'' tires but I didn't think it would make that much difference. Plus it'll hold if I really yank on it.

**HillBillE** · 12-09-2008, 22:59

Originally Posted by JimhatTJ

you do not want to adjust your ebrake at the connection on the bottom of the tub!!!

on each backing plate there is a small rubber gromet, pull that out and then use a flat blade screw driver to adjust the adjustment screw while spinning the tire.

Adjusting at the backing plate, only adjusts the brake shoes. If this works for the parking brake, thats good. But it means your brakes were out of adjustment, or bad.

The adjustment at the bottom of the tub is the only adjustment for the cable. If the cable has stretched, (from time, being set hard, etc.) it will need to be tightened here.

Jim has a good point though, make sure the brakes are properly adjusted and working correctly, before adjusting the cable.