parking brake adjustment & locking clamp

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parking brake adjustment & locking clamp

Post by Astrophysics »

Hi,
My parking brake cable on lifted 2003 Astro seems to back off and loosen over time causing parking brake to not hold the Astro on an incline.
After snugging it with 16 mm wrench on the nut and 5 mm wrench on the flat, I added a small clamp to attempt to prevent the cable from turning. I will try to find photo.

AP

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Re: parking brake adjustment & locking clamp

Post by Astrophysics »

Howdy,

Attached is photo showing stainless steel clamp and machine screws and nylon lock nuts. I also added some nice yellow adhesive tape that has inch ruler markings to allow some reference point of before and after adjustment settings.

AP

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Re: parking brake adjustment & locking clamp

Post by Astrophysics »

Whoops, need to attach file? With photo.

[attachment=0]3E5534C0-8ED6-4077-BCC1-B272586E3FA9.jpeg[/attachment]
Attachments
Clamp and ruler adhesive  tape
Clamp and ruler adhesive tape

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Re: parking brake adjustment & locking clamp

Post by Astrophysics »

Hi All,

Now, I may add a 1 1/2" fixed pulls connected to a turn buckle to be installed right on the OEM steel parking brake cable.

It seems that the OEM parking brake adjuster is a bit hard to adjust and hold setting.

AP
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Herbie
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Re: parking brake adjustment & locking clamp

Post by Herbie »

I wonder what is causing your lack of holding? I've adjusted my cable maybe twice, once when I put the lift on like 10 years ago, and once after a brake service some years later. Never had it fail to stay adjusted.

I don't doubt you're having problems - just wish I could figure out the mechanism of failure.
"My minivan is cooler than your bro-truck"
2003 Astro AWD Astrolander/ZMB - GTRV Top Transplant, 4" OLV Lift, NP233 T-case, evolving interior
1995 Safari GTRV Organ donor - gutted and gone.
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Re: parking brake adjustment & locking clamp

Post by Astrophysics »

Hi Herbie,
You have a good logical approach. The OEM adjuster was always kinda weird on my 2003 Astro. Maybe I did not really understand the jam nut on it. Maybe it tended to vibrate loose and back off? Maybe the OEM cable has stretched?
Also, I must admit that I often like to design little improvements rather than just adjusting the OEM.

I only have 135,000 on my Astro and I drive easy on brakes. I do like a firm parking brake to avoid weight on transmission pawl when parked on hill.

My 30 " Coopers are great P245/75-16.
I may change from OEM 3.42 to 3.73 axles or maybe even 4.10.

AP
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