[midnightsun]

Is it possible to adjust the parking brakes without taking to a mechanic? I remember how easy it was with older cars that had rear drums. But I read that with a manual tranny and discs all around, a pro mechanic should adjust them.

My truck has been making groaning noises when I am parked on a boat ramp, parked in first gear with parking brake set. Today, I had to get back in twice to pull the handbrake lever higher, and then it was hard to release. I don't like the prospect that the brake not holding well put strain on the transmission, either.

I am going to buy some wheel chocks as back-up but want to get the brakes adjusted, too. The truck has almost 88k miles on it and the rear pads were replaced once, years ago. Brakes are working well otherwise.

 

[raymond~]

videos for this linkage adjustment in YouTube (in the shifter tunnel). hoping that is all you need vs at the wheel

 

[midnightsun]

Yeah, actually two other things happened today for the first time. The brake pedal sank down to the floor when I applied it--once--and then worked normally, but it gave a light screech, also only once.

Worn pads? A leak in the system? I have not seen signs of leak but will check tomorrow morning.

 

[bob-w]

The pedal going to floor sounds more like master cylinder going bad! Especially if your brake fluid is ok and have no leaks.

 

[Clint]

If it was only the parking brake issue your can pull the cup holder out and turn the nut a few times and your good but the pedal to the floor is a bad thing especially if brakes fail launching the boat. If you’re unable to do these repairs yourself go have it done on the much sooner side and stop towing anything and preferably don’t drive the truck much, if at all. Good luck, post up what the outcome is.

Clint

 

[Rickyachin]

If it was only the parking brake issue your can pull the cup holder out and turn the nut a few times and your good but the pedal to the floor is a bad thing especially if brakes fail launching the boat. If you’re unable to do these repairs yourself go have it done on the much sooner side and stop towing anything and preferably don’t drive the truck much, if at all. Good luck, post up what the outcome is.

Clint

Thanks. For the tip. I adjusted my handbrake today. Now after 5 clicks its nice and tight. The cupholder came off easily. Now I can powerslide (kidding)

Sent from my SM-N920I using Tapatalk

 

[Nissan4Life]

The emergency brake is a mini cable actuated drum brake the lives inside the rotor hat of the disk brake. Using the inside surface of the rotor hat at the drum braking surface. Really cool design and completely independent of the hydro disk brakes.

There are 2 adjustments; one on the rotor and one for cable stretch. The cable stretch described above is very easy to do. The drum brake adjustment a little more involved. After you remove the rear wheels you will see a little rubber plug on the rotor. Remove the plug. Rotate till you see the end of the wheel adjuster. A couple of click of the adjuster will take up the slack caused by wear, cant recall which way to make the adjustment. Google a detailed write up.