1996 Grand Caravan Emergency Brake Does Not Hold

Hi,

The emergency brake of my 3.8 liter V-6 1996 Grand Caravan does not
hold, and the vehicle moves while in Drive or Reverse.

My mechanic checked out the rear drum brakes, and the emergency brake
cables. He tightened the rear brake shoes as much as he could, short of
their binding while driving, and still no help. A posting here some time
ago mentioned that this emergency brake system is self-adjusting = not
adjustable.

I'm really concerned that I must rely solely on the transmission in Park
to keep the vehicle still, especially on a hill.

Can anyone tell me what must be done to correct this safety problem?

Thanks in advance.

Morton

 

If it is self adjusting, that doesn't mean it can't be manually adjusted.

When you say it moved in reverse or drive, is this with additional power?
Can you stop on a steep hill, floor the E-brake and have it hold the van in
Neutral?

Can you feel tension when you press the E-brake or does it just sink to the
floor? If there is tension maybe you aren't pressing hard enough?

I'm not sure how the adjusting mechanism works in your van, but try braking
hard while going a fair speed in reverse, both with service brakes and
E-brake. As well try braking with E-brake going forward.

 

Thank you very much.
Morton

 

Definitely something funny there. My 96 auto adjuster (adjusts while normal
braking in reverse) keeps my E brake set so that 3-4 clicks on the pedal
will bring the van into a very good deceleration (moving forward). Most foot
E brakes, this one included, do not grip as well in a reversing direction.
i.e with E brake on if you back out of your driveway, moderate power will
usually allow you to back up, but when you try to pull forward, it should
hold pretty tight or locked.

Park brake cables should be pre tensioned to have no slack. Proper self
adjustment after this point relies on proper rear shoe adjustment, and
correct operation of the rear shoe auto adjuster to keep the rear shoes in
adjustment. If the pedal is pressing all the way to the floor, it would seem
likely that the rear shoes are not adjusted tight enough, and also likely
the rear adjusters are not working. If the pedal becomes tight part way
depressed, and the E brake does not hold, it would seem that either the
cables can not move the shoes (stiff, seized or binding cable) or you just
are not pressing it hard enough. My wife often complains she can not set the
E brake on our 96, but when I press it it's fine. She just does not press
with all her might. She is used to our 93 GC that uses a different press
on/press off system and that one is quite easy to press and get to lock up.

 

Find a competent mechanic.


Matt

 

I have a 1999 T&C van which has the same rear drum brakes as your 1996 van.
When I changed my rear shoes a year or so back, I made the mistake of not
tightening the rear adjusters since I assumed the mechanism was self
adjusting. When I put it all back together, I found out that the adjusters
would not advance unless the brakes were tight enough to start with. As
such, I removed the wheels and drums and then advanced the adjuster manually
till I got a tight fit with the drum. I then re-assembled and was able to
get the adjusters to set themselves properly when I put the van in reverse
and hit the parking brake a couple times.

Based on my experience, I'd say you have one of the following three
problems:

Even though he adjusted them manually, your mechanic did not get the brakes
tight enough for the self-adjusters to work properly. Solution: do the job
yourself or find a better mechanic.

The self adjusters are at their mechanical limit so can't adjust themselves
any farther. Solution: Replace the brake shoes and check the drum diameter
with a micrometer to assure it is still under the maximum allowable size
(stamped on the drum). Resurface the drum if needed.

Your emergency/parking brake cable is binding or not adjusted properly.
Solution: lubricate, replace, or adjust as needed.

Good luck.

Bob

 

Thanks a lot to the 4 guys who were nice enough to reply with excellent info. I
truly appreciate the help, and I'll act on it right away.

Morton