GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Adjustment of the park brake cables is necessary whenever the park brake cables have been loosened or disconnected. A need for park brake cable adjustment in indicated if the hydraulic brake system operates with good reserve, but a firm park brake pedal feel cannot be achieved with less than one full stroke of the park brake pedal.

Adjustment Procedure

  1. Cycle the brake system
  2. 1.1. Apply the service brake with a pedal force of approximately 660 N·m (150 lb ft) and release.
    1.2. Fully apply the park brake using approximately 550 N·m (125 lb ft) pedal force and release.
    1.3. Apply and release the park brake two additional times as described above.
  3. Check the park brake pedal assembly for full release by turning the ignition on and inspecting the BRAKE warning indicator light. The light should be off. If the BRAKE warning light is on and the park brake appears to be fully released, operate the manual pedal release lever and pull downward on the park brake cable to remove slack from the pedal assembly.
  4. Raise the vehicle.
  5. Check the park brake levers on the rear calipers. The levers should be against their stops on the brake caliper housing. If the levers are not against the stops, check for binding in the rear brake cables and position the levers against the stops.
  6. Tighten the park brake cable at the adjuster until either the left or right lever begins to move off the stop.
  7. Loosen the adjuster until the lever which moved off the stop in step 4 is again resting on the stop. Both levers should be resting on the brake caliper stops after completing this step.
  8. Operate the park brake several times to check adjustment. A firm pedal feel should be obtained by deepening the pedal less than one full stroke.
  9. Inspect left and right caliper levers. Both levers must be resting on the stops after adjustment of the park brake.
  10. Check the operation of the park brake. If possible , place the vehicle on a grade and check park brake holding ability.