Emergency Brake Keeps Tightening Up

I don't know what stops the E-brake auto-tightener from tightening up, but whatever it is it ain't working on my truck. Three weeks ago I set the E-brake tightness so that it would just barely prevent the truck from rolling backwards on a 5% grade. I could pull the handle out almost all the way. Now after driving and using it perhaps 100 times, I can barely pull the handle out. Maybe 3 or 4 clicks at the most. This scenario has repeated twice. What might be the cause? I've had this truck since it was new and never had this problem before. It started when I replaced the rear shoes. I checked and all the parts are installed correctly, springs in the correct holes, etc. etc.

 

They are supposed to self adjust to the correct tightness when you pull the parking brake. If they are very loose, then it will take many pulls to adjust to the correct tightness. If they are becoming too tight to the point of the shoes rubbing the drums when the parking brake lever is fully disengaged, then something is worn out, bent, not greased, or there is some other problem. Problems like this can be tricky to figure out.

If you jack up the back, do the shoes rub the drums excessively when you spin the wheels with parking brake disengaged? If they spins freely, then it's not a problem...at least I wouldn't worry about it. But the repair manual says there should be 12-18 clicks with 44.1 lbs. of force (for 1996), so you may have a problem somewhere.

 

Your slack adjusters are working as they should it seems. Maybe to well.

You towing a smoke trail when you drive? or can you smell burning shoes when you stop quick and have the smell of possibly burning shoes waft by the window?.

So log as you don't smell shoes afire,,and it rolls like it should, you might have to wait for it to expose itself. Take it back down and back the shoes off the drum to the "just barely rubbing" point. See if you can spot the culprit.

Was going to mention the slack adjuster spring out of place,,but if it has been checked x2 then it Should be ok. The wide cut/bend in that spring needs to miss the adjuster wheel and not ride/rub on it. Sure you caught that.

You replaced the shoes,,did you replace all the hardware, springs, ect?. Assuming you did.

 

Sorry for the late reply. Yes, I did install new springs and keepers. The return spring is correctly installed so that no part of it touches the adjuster wheel. No smoke, flames, or funny smells. There is something odd though. My driveway is slanted from the garage door downward, and the floor in the garage is level. When I pull into the garage I can pull the E -brake handle 2 or 3 clicks and then it gets tight; however, if I stop in the driveway and pull the brake I can get about 8-10 clicks. Just thought I'd mention it. I don't recall it being that way before. Thank you for your reply.

 

On the slant you are sitting on the back brake shoes somewhat as you hold yourself there with pedal pressure(shoes held out somewhat tight),,so you have a bigger gap to add clicks when you pull the handle. Mine does this as well and all is well with my shit.



Something is reversed I feel,,,or something bent or dry as posted. All e-brake pivot points are tight on the backing plates? those look good? you'll have to pull the little rubber boot back or off to check?. If those are walking around excessively on there worn pivot it could cause one side to drag a bit and cheat,,and tighten up more than the other. One of the reasons I asked about smelling burning shoes. Those need some lube once in awhile along with the cable splitter pivot near the differential. I use spray white grease on them. Any good goop will do, just so long as they have some.

So long as it all looks like it should..and does set the E- brake firmly on a hill,,and not smoke the shoes as you drive,,then away you go until it shows itself. Keep a keen eye as you go,,we are talking brakes.