Understanding Parking Brake Operation and Service

Understanding Parking Brake Operation and Service

Parking and emergency brakes can stop your customers on a dime, but what is the best way to service them?

The parking or emergency brake has to perform two distinct jobs. First, it has to hold the vehicle on an incline. Second, it must be able to stop a vehicle in under a specific distance if the hydraulic brakes have failed. What components should you look at when you’re adjusting the parking brake? Let’s find out in this Tire Review Continental Tire Garage Studio video.

When servicing a parking brake or emergency brake, pay special attention to the brake cables, self-adjusting pedals and levels and equalizing links.

Most modern brake cables have an inner wire that is made of stainless steel and is surrounded by an outer nylon sheath. Some cables have a dry lubricant inside to prevent binding. If you are inspecting brake cables, make sure all of the grommets and boots are in place. Parking brake cables can stretch over time, which creates slack that increases lever or pedal travel. If all the adjustments are maxed out, the cable should be replaced.

Some vehicles will have a self-adjusting parking brake that adjusts at the brake pedal. This self-adjustment controls the length of the cable that travels from the foot pedal under the dash to the equalizer bar. This is designed to keep the parking brake pedal travel the same during the entire life of the shoes. If any work is done to the parking brake at the wheels, adjustment is required.

On most vehicles, the left and right parking brake cables come together and are attached to a lever linkage called an “equalizer” yoke under the vehicle. The equalizer yoke balances, or equalizes, the amount of force that is applied to both cables when the parking brake is engaged. The equalizer linkage is connected to a single cable that runs to the parking brake lever or pedal. An adjustment screw may be located on the front cable where it connects to the equalizer, or where the cable attaches to the parking brake lever.

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more tire, service and shop operations videos.

You May Also Like

AMN Drivetime with Schwartz Advisors’ Rick Schwartz

In this episode of AMN Drivetime, Rick delves into trends in M&A in the macroeconomy and the automotive aftermarket.

Drivetime_ Schwartz

The Schwartz name is synonymous with the automotive aftermarket. It started with Mort Schwartz, an engineer by training who served as chairman and CEO of four different automotive aftermarket companies from the 60s to the 90s. Mort’s service to the aftermarket, including as a member and chair of various aftermarket committees, spans more than 40 years, and now his son, Rick, is following in his footsteps to make the Schwartz name a leader in M&A advising and business growth strategies in the industry.

Having Trouble Calibrating ADAS?

We discuss how to diagnose issues early to avoid faulty or incomplete ADAS calibrations.

Continental-trouble-calibrating-tpms
Why You Should Update TPMS Tools Regularly

In today’s fast-paced auto industry, it’s important for tire service experts to keep up with the latest updates to TPMS.

Continental-update-TMPS
How Long Does a Tire Last?

When customers ask, explain how their habits and driving conditions play the biggest role in tire life.

Continental-how-long-last
Continental’s Step-by-Step Tire Development Timeline

Follow the process from the beginning of an idea to product launch.

Other Posts

Continental Unveils Concept CityPlus Tire

Results from the concept tire are lower CO2 emissions from passenger cars with ICEs and longer driving ranges for EVs.

Conti-concept-tire
Retread Tires: What Helps Business Helps People

Retreads lead to a triple bottom line of benefits, including economics, environment and safety.

continental-retreadded-tire-1400
Continental Tire Plant in Portugal Receives ISCC PLUS Certification

The UltraContact NXT tire incorporates up to 28% ISCC PLUS-certified materials.

continental_pp__lousado
A VIP Tires Executive’s Secret to Technician Retention

Read what it takes to see success when a new store comes online, how VIP retains its technicians, and expected sales trends during the second half of the year.

VIP-Tires-Gary-MacCausland-QA-1400