For 1990-2009 cars

Step | Action | Yes | No
--- | --- | --- | ---
DEFINITION: This diagnostic table is designed to diagnose ONLY the components of the PARK brake system in order to determine if the PARK brake system is operating properly. You will be directed by the appropriate Symptom table to go to other brake system diagnostic tables as appropriate.
1 | Were you sent here from a Hydraulic Brake Symptom table? | Go to | Go to
2 | Were you sent here from a Park Brake Symptom table? | Go to | Go to
3 | Is the symptom related to the ability of the park brake system to hold and/or release? | Go to Diagnostic Starting Point - Park Brake | --
4 |

1. Raise and support the vehicle with the rear axle supported by jack stands. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
2. With the park brake RELEASED, attempt to rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant amount of drag.

Do the rear brakes have a significant amount of drag?

Go to

Go to

5 |

1. Apply the park brake.
2. Attempt to rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant amount of drag.

Did the rear brakes exhibit a significant reduction in the amount of drag?

Go to

Go to

6 |

1. Release the park brake.
2. Rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant reduction in the amount of drag.

Did the rear brakes exhibit a significant reduction in the amount of drag?

--

Go to

7 |

1. Remove the brake drums. Refer to Brake Drum Replacement.
2. Visually check the park brake cable connections and the cables that are accessible on the UNDERSIDE of the vehicle for disconnections and/or damage.

Were any or the park brake cables disconnected and/or damaged?

Go to

--

8 | Reconnect or replace the park brake cables as necessary. Refer to Parking Brake Cable Replacement. | Return to Symptom Table | --
9 | Caution: Do not depress the brake pedal with the brake rotors and/or the brake drums removed, or with the brake calipers repositioned away from the brake rotors, or damage to the brake system may result.

1. Remove the brake drums. Refer to Brake Drum Replacement.
2. Inspect the park brake hardware for loose, damaged, broken or missing components.
3. Check the drum brake adjusters for a condition.

Does the park brake hardware and/or the park brake adjusters require replacement?

Go to

Go to

10 |

1. Replace park brake hardware components as necessary. Refer to Brake Shoe Replacement.
2. Replace the drum brake adjusting hardware as necessary. Refer to Drum Brake Adjusting Hardware Replacement.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to

--

11 | Have an assistant apply and release the park brake, while you observe the park brake cables for free movement. Did the park brake cables move freely? | -- | Go to
12 |

1. Apply the park brake.
2. Attempt to rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant amount of drag.
3. Release the park brake.
4. Rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant reduction of drag.

Did the park brake apply and release properly?

Go to

Return to Symptom Table

13 |

1. Remove the brake drums. Refer to Brake Drum Replacement.
2. Disconnect the park brake cable connections that are accessible on the UNDERSIDE of the vehicle one at a time and check each cable for free movement.

Do any of the park brake cables accessible on the underside of the vehicle require replacement?

Go to

Go to

14 | Replace any of the park brake cables that do not have free movement - not releasing properly. Refer to Parking Brake Cable Replacement. Did you complete the replacement? | Park Brake System OK Return to Symptom Table | Return to Symptom Table
15 | Replace the park brake lever assembly - not releasing properly. Refer to Parking Brake Lever Replacement. Did you complete the replacement? | Go to | --
16 |

1. Remove the brake drums. Refer to Brake Drum Replacement.
2. Check the drum brake adjusters for a seized condition.
3. Replace the drum brake adjusting hardware as necessary. Refer to Drum Brake Adjusting Hardware Replacement.

Did you find and correct a condition?

Return to Symptom Table

--

17 | Replace the component that is used to adjust the park brake system. Refer to Parking Brake Lever Replacement. Did you complete the replacement? | Go to | Return to Symptom Table
18 |

1. Apply the park brake.
2. Attempt to rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant amount of drag.
3. Release the park brake.
4. Rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant reduction of drag.

Did the park brake apply and release properly?

Return to Symptom Table

19 | Install or connect any components that were removed or disconnected during diagnosis. |  | Return to Symptom Table
20 | Did you complete the operation? | Park Brake System OK Return to Symptom Table | --