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2001 Chev Epress 3500 van park brake


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valleybusman
User

May 2, 2017, 8:53 PM

Post #1 of 7 (1348 views)
2001 Chev Epress 3500 van park brake Sign In

I have a 2001 Chev van with a 350 gas and 69000 miles . I put new shoes and new self adjusters . This is a 1 ton with rear drum brakes . After I installed everything I can't get the park brake to hold . The park brake pedal goes all the way to the floor . I put van in gear with park brake on and it will move without hesitation . So I adjusted the cables at the threaded rod on the frame rail on the right side . gained almost an inch . Brakes are better but I can still move the van . Is there some where else need adjusting ? Maybe GM has an update for this ? Thanks


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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May 2, 2017, 10:52 PM

Post #2 of 7 (1344 views)
Re: 2001 Chev Epress 3500 van park brake Sign In

You are doing it incorrectly: Set the back DRUM brakes with new adjusters properly for service brakes first and you don't need to mess with cables unless frozen never need to adjust those.


Set the star adjuster such that shoes are about locking the drums and back off that adjuster till totally free. The parking brake cable is then where it should be where it was when it worked last.


The harder part is when you have to replace cables getting the one time cable adjustments right then leave that alone.


If you just tighten up the cables the service brake adjustment will be all wrong forever till you do this in order not backwards as if you snug up cable the drum brake shoes will not be able to apply themselves properly either already or as they wear in.


If it was messed with before it's now up to you to set this right but starts with only setting the drum adjustment when all is set properly. IDK who messed it up first probably done long ago improperly and paying for it now but can do it right then forget about it.


Stuck cables, rusted ones or broken in some way messes up the show.


Odd - but few have a clue about the simplest brake design every made! Worst problem was neglecting dumping out dirt and brake dust they could wear themselves out without touching anything.


Older now or not unless parking brake was left on and driven endlessly plus no rust issues those brakes shouldn't have really worn out yet without a problem or bad luck or neglect,


T


T



Hammer Time
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Hammer Time profile image

May 3, 2017, 4:46 AM

Post #3 of 7 (1337 views)
Re: 2001 Chev Epress 3500 van park brake Sign In

Sounds like an installation problem to me.

Did you hook the cable up? Did you get the bar in place correctly?





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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



valleybusman
User

May 3, 2017, 6:05 AM

Post #4 of 7 (1330 views)
Re: 2001 Chev Epress 3500 van park brake Sign In

  Thanks Hammertime the reason for the brake job was a seal blew on axle and coated the shoes with gear oil . I hooked up all the ebrake hardware on the brakes . I will give it another shot . So should I put the ebrake adjuster back where it was and then adjust the brakes


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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May 3, 2017, 6:27 AM

Post #5 of 7 (1325 views)
Re: 2001 Chev Epress 3500 van park brake Sign In

Yes - put it back where it worked last and leave it alone. Look at Hammer's pic. If that connecting bar w spring isn't in position the e-brake pedal would just go to the floor. Would also fall down and wreck the rear brakes in time.


Check your work and adjust star adjuster properly which is almost always thru a slot in drum or slot in backing plate. That slot has to be punched out if never done. It won't back off without retracting the lever that turns it as brakes wear - can require tools to do that or if drum perfect can do without,


T



(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on May 3, 2017, 6:29 AM)


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

May 3, 2017, 7:29 AM

Post #6 of 7 (1319 views)
Re: 2001 Chev Epress 3500 van park brake Sign In

If you can access the cables separately, pull on them individually and see if one has more travel than the other to indicate which wheel has the issue.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

May 3, 2017, 8:09 AM

Post #7 of 7 (1314 views)
Re: 2001 Chev Epress 3500 van park brake Sign In

Yes - gives exact idea of which. Sorry I said they are easy if done right as that's how I learned now the dark ages ago both front and rears of all but super high end vehicles always used drums.


Do take note and have made the mistake is adjusting so your brake pedal is higher and feels better isn't good! Parking brake if a foot pedal or maybe (doubt it for a truck) hand operated count about 7 clicks from off when applied HARD. If you make it too tight they can self apply themselves with a load on the vehicle or above ground street drainage dips in road to a another spot, driveways, parking lots etc will drag sometime REAL hard - not good.
Do yourself a favor and lube the hub that sticks out with drum on so it doesn't stick there hard if back later. Just habit if even rotating tires with drum brakes will take drums off and dump out the dust at least - my own or others and also know how they look,


T







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