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 Step 4 | Go to Step 2
2 | Were you sent here from a Park Brake Symptom table? | Go to Step 4 | Go to Step 3
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 | Go to Diagnostic Starting Point - Hydraulic Brakes
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 Step 11

Go to Step 5

5 |

1. Apply the park brake.
2. 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 Step 6

Go to Step 7

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 Step 20

Go to Step 11

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 Step 8

Go to Step 9

8 | Reconnect or replace the park brake cables as necessary. Refer to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement. Did you complete the repair and/or replacement? | Go to Step 9 | --
9 | Check the adjustment of the park brake. Refer to Parking Brake Adjustment. Was the park brake adjusted properly? | Go to Step 11 | Go to Step 10
10 | Adjust the park brake. Refer to Parking Brake Adjustment. Were you able to attain adjustment of the park brake? | Go to Step 16 | Go to Step 11
11 | 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. Refer to Park Brake Hardware Inspection.
3. Check the drum brake adjusters for a seized condition.

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

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 13

12 |

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 Step 13

--

13 | 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 Step 14 | Go to Step 17
14 | Check the adjustment of the park brake. Refer to Parking Brake Adjustment. Was the park brake adjusted properly? | Go to Step 16 | Go to Step 15
15 | Adjust the park brake. Refer to Parking Brake Adjustment. Were you able to attain adjustment of the park brake? | Go to Step 16 | Go to Step 25
16 |

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 Step 27

Return to Symptom Table

17 |

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 Step 18

Go to Step 19

18 | Replace any of the park brake cables that do not have free movement - not releasing properly. Refer to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement. Did you complete the replacement? | Go to Step 23 | --
19 | Replace the park brake lever assembly - not releasing properly. Refer to Parking Brake Lever Replacement. Did you complete the replacement? | Go to Step 24 | --
20 | Check the adjustment of the park brake. Refer to Parking Brake Adjustment. Was the park brake adjusted properly? | Go to Step 27 | Go to Step 21
21 | Adjust the park brake. Refer to Parking Brake Adjustment. Were you able to attain adjustment of the park brake system? | Go to Step 26 | Go to Step 22
22 |

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?

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 25

23 | Adjust the park brake. Refer to Parking Brake Adjustment. Were you able to attain adjustment of the park brake system? | Go to Step 26 | Go to Step 25
24 | Adjust the park brake. Refer to Parking Brake Adjustment. Were you able to attain adjustment of the park brake system? | Go to Step 26 | Return to Symptom Table
25 |

1. Replace the component that is used to adjust the park brake system. Refer to Parking Brake Lever Replacement.
2. Adjust the park brake. Refer to Parking Brake Adjustment.

Did you complete the replacement and adjustment?

Go to Step 26

Return to Symptom Table

26 |

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 Step 27

Return to Symptom Table

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