GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Park Brake Shoe Adjustment

Tools Required

J 21177-A Drum-to-Brake Shoe Clearance Gage

Caution: Refer to Brake Dust Caution in the Preface section.

Important: The park brake shoes must be adjusted before the park brake cable is adjusted.

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Remove the rotors. Refer to Rear Brake Rotor Replacement in Disc Brakes.

  3. Object Number: 177200  Size: SH
  4. Set the J 21177-A so that it contacts the inside diameter of the rotor.

  5. Object Number: 177201  Size: SH
  6. Position the J 21177-A over the shoe and the lining at the widest point.
  7. Turn the adjuster nut until the lining just contacts the J 21177-A .
  8. Repeat steps 1-3 for the opposite side.
  9. The clearance between the park brake shoe and the rotor is 0.6604 mm (0.026 in).

Park Brake Cable Adjustment

Important: Before you adjust the park brake, verify that the park brake shoes are adjusted to provide a clearance of 0.6604 mm (0.026 in).

  1. Rotate the rear wheels and note the amount of brake and driveline drag.
  2. Tighten the adjuster, periodically turning the rear wheels by hand until the drag begins to increase.
  3. Lower the vehicle.
  4. Fully apply and release the park brake lever to the floor 3 times.
  5. Raise the vehicle.
  6. Repeat step 2.
  7. Loosen the adjuster until the brake drag is the same as noted in step 1.
  8. Lower the vehicle.