So you just fixed your parking brakes, and you’re sure you are good to go. But then you feel something weird about your brakes. This may mean your parking brake is loose. You wondered why the parking brake was loose after the brake job.
You did the right thing, ensuring your parking brakes are intact, but anyone can make mistakes, even experts. Is your parking brake loose after a brake job? Here are the causes and possible ways to fix it.
What Is a Parking Brake?
The parking brake (or hand brake) is designed to keep your car stationary or motionless when parked. For example, if you park your car, truck, or SUV on a steep hill and want to keep the vehicle from rolling down, you can engage the parking brake.
However, this wasn’t the only reason it was created. Its original purpose was to act as a backup braking system that would bring your car to a halt when the primary hydraulic brakes failed. That’s why it is also called the emergency brake.
But modern-day parking brakes don’t have the same stopping power as hydraulic brakes. So the parking brake is now solely used to keep your car stationary.
What causes the parking brake to loose after the brake job?
here are several reasons why your emergency brake might not work after a brake job. Here are some common causes:
- Improper Adjustment: The emergency brake needs to be properly adjusted. If it’s too loose or too tight, it won’t work.
- Worn Out Components: Parts like cables and levers can wear out over time. If not replaced, the emergency brake won’t function.
- Air in the Brake Lines: Air bubbles in the brake lines can cause the brakes to fail. This includes the emergency brake.
- Faulty Installation: If the brake job wasn’t done correctly, it could affect the emergency brake.
How To Diagnose A Loose Hand Brake?
Diagnosing a loose hand brake involves a combination of simple checks and, if needed, a professional inspection. These steps help identify whether the issue is mechanical wear, adjustment, or a more serious fault:
- Check lever travel: With the vehicle on a level surface, pull the hand brake to the first or second click (based on your car’s design). Note the travel distance. Excessive travel often indicates wear or adjustment needs.
- Test the parking brake hold: On a safe incline, engage the hand brake and observe if the vehicle remains stationary. If it slides, the system may be insufficiently tight or worn.
- Inspect visual components: Inspect the parking brake cable near the rear tires for fraying, rust, or damage. Check the drum or disc area for uneven wear, oil contamination, or glazing on friction surfaces.
- Check for sticking elements: Move the cable by hand at the actuator (where accessible) to feel for any stiffness or binding. Listen for unusual sounds when applying or releasing the brake.
- Verify drum brakes (if applicable): For drum-type rear brakes, remove the drum to inspect shoe lining thickness and presence of oil or other contamination.
Fixing the Problem
Once you’ve identified the problem, it’s time to fix it. Here are some common solutions:
Solution 1: Adjust The Emergency Brake.
If the emergency brake is not properly adjusted, you can fix it. Locate the adjustment mechanism, usually found near the brake lever or on the rear brakes. Turn the adjustment screw until the brake feels tight but not too tight.
Solution 2: Replace Worn Components.
If you find any worn or damaged components, replace them. This includes cables, levers, and other parts. It’s best to consult a mechanic if you’re not sure how to do this.
Solution 3: Bleed The Brake Lines.
Air in the brake lines can be removed by bleeding the brakes. This involves opening the brake fluid valves and letting out the air. Again, it’s best to have a professional do this if you’re not experienced.
Solution 4: Check The Installation.
If the brake job was not done correctly, take your car back to the mechanic. Explain the problem and ask them to recheck their work. They should fix any mistakes at no extra cost.
How much does it cost to adjust a parking brake?
Parking brake adjustment is estimated at around $56-$70 and sometimes costs nothing. So technically, how much you spend depends on whether you’re doing it yourself and what causes the brake miss adjustment.
If a loose parking brake line is responsible for a loose parking brake, you could adjust the brake by adjusting the drum brakes from the backing plate. If the brake isn’t tightened to your taste, disassemble the center console and tighten the cable manually.
If, however, the issue is caused by a worn-out cable, you will need to buy a new cable to replace it. This job would take time and effort and might need the services of a skilled mechanic.
Implying you will spend more, parking brake cables adjustment is estimated at around $90 depending on your vehicle. For example, the 2015 Honda Accord parking adjustment cost will differ from the 2010 Acura TST parking brake adjustment cost.
FAQs.
Q: Why is my parking brake loose?
Your parking brake may be loose because of improper drum brake adjustment, and this can happen after a brake job. In other cases, it could be that the cables that activate the parking brake have slacked over time. So all you need is to readjust the cables.
Q: How do you tighten a parking brake?
You can tighten a parking brake by fixing what causes the brake to loose. If the brake lining is loose, tighten it by adjusting the brake adjustment from the backing plate.
If this doesn’t suffice, dismantle the center console and tighten the cable. If the cables have become overstretched, you may need to replace them.
Again, if the adjustment screw is not screwed tightly, the brake will still loose.
If none of these works, you may need to check and replace it with a new brake as the parking brake lining may have worn out. A damaged lining will not even let you drive your car.
Q: How do I know if my hand brake cable is overstretched?
An overstretched handbrake cable will not pull the parking brake tightly. This invariably causes the brake to be incapable of holding the vehicle’s weight and will eventually cause your car to pull one-sided even when the parking brake is fully engaged.
Again, handbrakes have average clicks of 5-8 from down to up. If the click is above 8, your handbrake is stretched and needs to be tightened. So if you’re asking what happens if your brake line breaks, the number of clicks will increase, and your car will pull one side.
Q: How do you know if your parking brake is bad?
A bad parking brake will be challenging to use in an emergency, which indicates the brake is too tight. A bad parking brake will also make your handbrake feel wobbly, indicating it’s too loose or overstretched.
A functioning parking brake should allow you to Park your car on a hilly road without rolling. However, if it is bad, your car will roll or slide when parked on a sloppy road. A failing handbrake will also not produce friction, making it unreliable in emergencies.
Your handbrake will also not disengage properly when it’s failing. A bad handbrake will cause a squealing noise at the rear wheels when you try to gain speed.
Q: Is it hard to replace a parking brake cable?
Replacing the parking brake cable is not too difficult. However, it will require you to have good access to the vehicle underneath.
Which will take time–about 2 hours if you do it yourself. In most vehicles, you will need to remove the rear drums and parking brakes to access the parking brake cable.
Q: Should my car move when parking brake is on?
Generally, with your parking brake activated, your car will not move on its own or even with a moderate force. However, if you put excess pressure on the accelerator pedal, it will move. But this can cause your brake to begin to smoke and even cause other damage.
Many drivers press the accelerator so hard that their cars can move without realizing the parking brake is on. So if you’re having a hard time moving your car, check to see if the handbrake is activated.
Q: How long does it take to replace a parking brake cable?
Replacing a parking brake cable can take about 2 hours if you do it yourself. This includes the time to gather all needed tools and your replacement cable.
Final Thoughts
Parking brake loose after a brake job is not an uncommon issue with drivers. Thankfully, this article has explained why it happens, how to tell if the parking brake is broken, and the best ways to avoid or fix them.
Recap! A loose brake adjustment or a loose or damaged parking brake cable can cause your parking brake to loose after a brake job.
So ensure you tighten the screws and wires properly after every brake job. Even if you didn’t do a brake job but notice your parking brake acting weird, try going for brake adjustment or fix whatever is causing the issue. You need your brake to be intact for your safety.