GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Adjustment of the parking brake cables is necessary whenever the rear cables have been loosened or disconnected. A need for parking brake cable adjustment in indicated if the hydraulic brake system operates with good reserve, but a firm parking brake pedal feel cannot be achieved with less than one full stroke of the parking brake pedal.

Adjustment Procedure

  1. Cycle the brake system
  2. 1.1. Apply the service brake with a pedal force of approximately 660 N·m(150 lb ft) and release.
    1.2. Fully apply the parking brake using approximately 550 N·m(125 lb ft) pedal force and release.
    1.3. Apply and release the parking brake two additional times as described above.
  3. Check the parking brake pedal assembly for full release by turning the ignition on and inspecting the "BRAKE" warning indicator light. the light should be off. If the "BRAKE" warning light is on and the parking brake appears to be fully released, operate the manual pedal release lever and pull downward on the parking brake cable to remove slack from the pedal assembly.
  4. Raise the vehicle.
  5. Check the parking brake levers on the rear calipers. The levers should be against their stops on the caliper housing. If the levers are not against the stops, check for binding in the rear brake cables and position the levers against the stops.
  6. Tighten the parking brake cable at the adjuster until either the left or right lever begins to move off the stop.
  7. Loosen the adjuster until the lever which moved off the stop in step 4 is again resting on the stop. Both levers should be resting on the caliper stops after completing this step.
  8. Operate the parking brake several times to check adjustment. A firm pedal feel should be obtained by deepening the pedal less than one full stroke.
  9. Inspect left and right caliper levers. Both levers must be resting on the stops after adjustment of the parking brake.
  10. Check the operation of the parking brake. If possible , place the vehicle on a grade and check parking brake holding ability.