E-Brake Not Holding Well. Cable or Drum Brake Problem?

Hi, my e-Brake holds, but not strong enough to leave the truck on an incline without the manual transmission in gear. It'll stay, but barely and at times it slips enough that when I push the clutch pedal, the truck rolls back after having sat overnight.

However, my e-brake handle actuation seems normal. I'll test and see if it's within spec, but it does feel fine.

So my question is, would this problem be indicative of:

1. My e-brake cable needing adjustment, or...
2. My rear drum brakes being worn out

Or perhaps both?

Truck has 175,000. I don't know if the rear brakes are original but I'm about to dig through old paperwork to see if I find something done by the previous owner.

 

Try adjusting first. There are 3 locations and is described in the FSM.
If that doesn't help, replace the drums and shoes (recommend OEM for the shoes).

 

I found some info in the service records. At 160,000 miles the rear brakes were inspected at were at 4mm. The truck now has 175,000 miles. Anyone know what the measurement is when these drum pads are new?

 

Also found that at 147,000 miles, the rear brake drums were removed at machined because the original owner was reporting pulsating and vibrations when braking. The drum pads were reported at 5mm. I don't think they replaced the pads, just turned the drums. For reference, 3 years later the truck has 175,000 miles.

 

Sounds like the previous owner took care of it, with all the records! Drums are super cheap to have turned, and new shoes are super cheap too, just replace it all so you know where you stand on it. Lube the adjusted screw and make sure all the piece are there. My rear ebrake wasn't holding because a piece that held the adjuster wheel in place was missing and one side wasn't able to adjust at all.

 

Even after new brake shoes, adjusted to drums, were installed, still wasn't happy with e-brake. Adjusting the cable mechanism (under the drivers seat, between the frame rails) did the trick.

http://www.lieblweb.com/ebrakeadjustment.html

 

Thanks for advice. Yeah, I'll get the parts and replace the rear pads. Might as well. But yeah, the previous owner took care of it and I have most of the records. There's a bit of gap in the records, but for the most part, most are there.

One thing I forgot to mention, my e-brake light stays on even when my e-brake is disengaged, so I think it's more a cable problem than a drum brake pad problem.

 

Check underneath and make sure the cable isn't frayed, this could also keep the brake from being applied fully.

 

^^^ I'll take a look today. I have a list of parts Im ordering. I'l check in case I need to add that too.

 

Low brake fluid also causes that brake light to go on.

 

I'd check the adjuster under the driver's seat first, this helps "pull" the handle back in. That's usually the case when the E-brake light stays on, it's not hitting the sensor or w/e enough to keep the light off.

over time the cables stretch a little and need adjusted, especially if you use it often.

also what @tan4x4 said, check brake fluid and make sure it's above the MIN line