Loose Parking Brake After Brake Job: Causes & Fixes

It seems like you’re all set now that you adjusted your parking brakes. But then you notice that your brakes are acting strangely. A loose parking brake could be the cause of this. Following the brake job, you were perplexed as to why the parking brake seemed loose.

What causes the parking brake to lose after the brake job?

Several things could be causing your parking brake, also known as the emergency brake, to feel loose following a brake job.

1.  Improper adjustment

The brake shoes, brake pots, and springs that make up your drum braking system all cooperate to hold it all together. The parking brake springs and linings should be removed before servicing your drum brakes. Your parking brake may feel loose and not function properly if they are not properly adjusted following the brake job.

The drum brakes, for example, might need adjusting. Here, the brake will grasp somewhat, but it won’t be enough to get you over a severe incline. When the adjustment for your parking brake is not in the correct position, you will feel a pulling sensation when you apply the brakes.

On the other hand, you could notice a decrease in your brake force or even fluid leaking. Therefore, after a brake job, if the parking brake still isn’t working, you should inspect the cables, springs, and adjustments.

2. Damaged parking brake linings

If you would like the parking brake to remain in working order, it is important that your brake lining stays. However, it’s likely that you failed to notice any wear on your parking brake linings when you were working on the brakes.

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If that’s the case, the parking brake won’t stay put until the brake work is finished. Repairmen often make adjustments to the brake line without removing the drum. How can one deal with worn or broken brake lining? To change the brake lining, open the drum.

How much does it cost to adjust a parking brake?

The cost of adjusting the parking brake can range from $56 to$70, and in other cases, it is completely free. Whether you do it yourself or not and the reason for the brake misadjustment are the two main factors that determine the total cost.

You can tighten the parking brake by tightening the drum brakes on the backing plate if the problem is a loose parking brake line. You can manually tighten the cable by disassembling the centre console if the brake isn’t tight enough for your liking.

On the other hand, if the problem is due to a damaged cable, you’ll have to get a new one. Doing this task would require dedication and maybe the assistance of a professional mechanic. Adjusting the parking brake cables is expected to cost approximately $90, though this can vary from vehicle to vehicle. To illustrate the point, the expense of adjusting the parking brakes on a 2010 Acura TST and a 2015 Honda Accord will be different.

Conclusion

Drivers often experience the problem of their parking brake becoming loose following a brake job. The good news is that we’ve covered the causes, symptoms, and solutions to this problem in this article. Brief Review! Your parking brake may become unresponsive following a brake job if the adjustment is not snug or if the cable is broken or unsecured.

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After servicing your brakes, always double-check that the screws and cables are securely fastened. If you see that your parking brake is functioning strange, even without a brake service, you should get it adjusted or solve the problem. For your own safety, make sure your brake is in good working order.

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