GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

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 correctly. 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 List?

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 Park Brake Will Not Hold or Release

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. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
  3. With the park brake RELEASED, attempt to rotate the rear wheels to inspect the rear brakes for a significant amount of drag.

Do the rear brakes have a substantial amount of drag?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 5

5

  1. With the transmission still in NEUTRAL, apply the park brake.
  2. Attempt to rotate the rear wheels to inspect 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 inspect 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 21

Go to Step 11

7

Visually inspect the park brake cable connections and the cables that are accessible on the UNDERSIDE of the vehicle for disconnections and/or damage.

Were any of 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 the following procedures as necessary:

Parking Brake Front Cable Replacement .

Did you complete the repair and/or replacement?

Go to Step 9

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9

Inspect the adjustment of the park brake. Refer to Park Brake Adjustment .

Was the park brake adjusted correctly?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 10

10

Adjust the park brake. Refer to Park Brake Adjustment .

Were you able to attain adjustment of the park brake?

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 11

11

Notice: 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 rear brake discs. Refer to Rear Brake Rotor Replacement .
  2. Inspect the park brake shoe assembly for play, damaged, broken or missing components.
  3. Inspect the park brake actuators for a seized condition.

Does the park brake assembly and/or park brake actuators require replacement?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 13

12

  1. Replace park brake hardware components as necessary. Refer to Parking Brake Shoe Replacement in Park Brake.
  2. Replace the park brake actuators as necessary. Refer to Parking Brake Actuator Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 13

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13

Have an assistant apply and release the park brake, while you observe the park brake cables for free movement.

Do the park brake cables move freely?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 17

14

Inspect the adjustment of the park brake. Refer to Park Brake Adjustment .

Was the park brake adjusted correctly?

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 15

15

Adjust the park brake. Refer to Park Brake Adjustment .

Were you able to attain adjustment of the park brake?

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 24

16

  1. With the transmission still in NEUTRAL, apply the park brake.
  2. Attempt to rotate the rear wheels to inspect the rear brakes for a significant amount of drag.
  3. Release the park brake.
  4. Rotate the rear wheels to inspect the rear brakes for a significant reduction of drag.

Does the park brake apply and release correctly?

Go to Step 23

Return to Symptom Table

17

Disconnect the park brake cable connections that are accessible on the UNDERSIDE of the vehicle one at a time and inspect 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 (do not release correctly). Refer to the following procedures as necessary:

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 23

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19

Replace the park brake lever assembly. Refer to Parking Brake Release Handle Assembly Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 23

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20

Inspect the adjustment of the park brake. Refer to Park Brake Adjustment .

Is the park brake adjusted correctly?

Park Brake System OK

Go to Step 21

21

Adjust the park brake. Refer to Park Brake Adjustment .

Were you able to attain adjustment of the park brake system?

Go to Step 25

Go to Step 22

22

  1. Remove the rear brake discs if they have not yet been removed. Refer to Rear Brake Rotor Replacement .
  2. Inspect the park brake actuators for a seized condition.
  3. Replace the park brake actuators as necessary. Refer to Parking Brake Actuator Replacement .

Did you find and correct a condition?

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 24

23

Adjust the park brake. Refer to Park Brake Adjustment .

Were you able to attain adjustment of the park brake system?

Go to Step 25

Go to Step 24

24

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

Did you complete the replacement and adjustment?

Go to Step 25

Return to Symptom Table

25

  1. With the transmission still in NEUTRAL, apply the park brake.
  2. Attempt to rotate the rear wheels to inspect the rear brakes for a significant amount of drag.
  3. Release the park brake.
  4. Rotate the rear wheels to inspect the rear brakes for a significant reduction of drag.

Did the park brake apply and release correctly?

Go to Step 26

Return to Symptom Table

26

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

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