Is there any way to tighten my parking brake on my windstar with rear drums.?

Question

In my haynes manual it says that the parking break can only be tightened if I have rotors in the back. I have drums and it should be self adjusting but my cable is loose. How can I tighten it up by my self? I made the mistake of driving with it on once and I think this is why it is loose any feedback would be nice.

Answer 1

It is not difficult to adjust with a screw driver or brake spoon, but there is an old Mechanics trick that often works.

Go to an empty parking lot. Make sure you are clear of all obsticles. Sart driving straight backwards in reverse. You do not have to race but you do need some momentum, say 5 to 10 MPH. Then while you are moving straight back begin to firmly tap your brakes. You may need to do this several times. The reverse direction will allow the shoes to rotate backward slightly when pressure is applied.

Do not worry, this is the way most rear brakes that are self adjusting are designed to work. This just speeds it up a bit.

Answer 2

Follow the E brake cable to the rear of the car. When it splits from one to 2 cables the adjustment mechanism should be right there.
You may just need to either replace your rear brakes because you wore them down driving with the brake on.Or if they are still within the thickness range,they should be adjusted at the drum. The old mechanics trick might work.but I'd check to see if the rear brakes are still good. And while your in there adjust the rear brakes like the guy mentioned above.
There is also a possibility that one of the cable ends broke off where it attaches to your rear drum brakes. So a visual inspection should be done to make sure this is not the case

Answer 3

Usually drums are the only ones that can be adjusted not disk brakes. check the thickness of the brake shoes to make sure there is enough material. the brake shoes or drums should not be too smooth or cracked. if they are smooth u can rough them up with 80 grit sand paper but don't go too nuts with it. Then pull the adjuster bar away from the star wheel adjuster and turn with a flat screwdriver so the brake shoes move out. Replace the drum often and adjust it so that the drum turns but there is still some resistance. While your at it make sure that the adjuster bar and springs are in good condition and working properly. This sometimes can be done from the back of the drum if there is access but it is easier to do it with the drum off. before you replace the drum pull the parking brake handle to see if the adjuster is working properly. If there is no movement you may have a problem in the cables.

Answer 4

If your rear shoes are still in good shape and in proper adjustment (don't trust the self-adjusters) and your parking brake cable isn't stretched then no adjustment is needed.
Have your mechanic check the shoes for proper adjustment since you apparently have the manual and know how to check the remaining life.

Answer 5

simply follow the e-brake cable towards the rear of the vehicle and you should find a link that you can loosen a nut, adjust the rod to tighten slack, and re tighten nut.

Answer 6

in the journey that they were on condition that warm linings on brakes would have cracked from warmth so get checked for substitute, also brake fluid would have boiled and make rear wheel cylinders leak, also fluid desires to be bled. ultimate secure than sorry. will also restoration your weak em. brake.

Answer 7

Captain Paul has it right, it's easiest to do the mechanics trick

Answer 8

if you drove with it on and then it became loose you probably need new brake shoes