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chevy 3500 emergency brake adjustment
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
Jun 13, 2007, 7:21 PM
Post #1 of 6
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chevy 3500 emergency brake adjustment
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How do you adjust the emergency brake on 2003 chevy 3500 express?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 14, 2007, 5:00 AM
Post #2 of 6
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Re: chevy 3500 emergency brake adjustment
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Does the 3500 have disc or drum regular service brakes in the rear? If disc there was a factory flaw with a small drum brake inside the rotor that GM won't own up to and only replacing it all will get it right. It happens to the driver's side only and a clip is asymetrically backwards allowing the parking brake shoe to wear out in no time unseen till you get there. If either fails - neither will work, T
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
Jun 14, 2007, 3:08 PM
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Re: chevy 3500 emergency brake adjustment
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they are discs. Just had the e-brake done in january, maybe used it 5 times and it doesnt hold anymore.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 14, 2007, 4:04 PM
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Re: chevy 3500 emergency brake adjustment
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It sounds like the problem I had with a Tahoe about that year but just 1/2 ton vehicle. Can't say for the 3500 but it's the same problem. That little drum brake is really not a wearing brake as it is stationary when used unless a sticky cable didn't let it release fully. On the Tahoe the brake was fixed at just a few months old under warranty but all they did is max out the adjuster under the vehicle. This is a family car and it is used for towing boats now and then. Well soon after it didn't work again and he (brother) ignored it till it wouldn't hold on a boat ramp so I got the job to fix it. Took both back rotors off and right side was fine and left side was gone - no lining at all left on front shoe. The remaining metal of the shoe just tiltled with no resistance and it wore out just from regular driving. It was a stupid clip but required the whole shooting match to get it right and aftermarket parts were right. You have to remove the caliper, the bracket then the rotor to get a look at it. I could be wrong but it's so similar to the one I dealt with. I don't know how many were made like that new and GM took no responsibility over the phone to their engineering group that handles this. I took pics and I think my bro did get reimbursed but I forget now. It is important that it work especially when you may need to park on a hill. Hit back if that's what you find wrong because I'm interested if nothing else, T
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Anonymous Poster
Jun 14, 2007, 6:24 PM
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Re: chevy 3500 emergency brake adjustment
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sounds like the same thing. I took the tires off looked at the back of the rotor but i dont think with my mechanical experience I should try this. I use the truck for my business which is regulated by the D.O.T. needless to say I did not pass the inspection. I wonder if it is worth calling chevy or am I wasting my time. thanks for the help
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 15, 2007, 5:36 AM
Post #6 of 6
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Re: chevy 3500 emergency brake adjustment
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I'm not going to send you into taking this apart yourself if you don't trust your experiance and perhaps don't have tools for this. Call GM with VIN at hand - toll free # should be in owner's manual. You have nothing to lose and there may be a TSB (technical service bulletin) on this by now. If you can get a shop to just do the looking it will be apparent with rotor removed if that is in fact the trouble. I'm not sure how common this is and techs may miss it but if that hold down clip doesn't hold down right that is it. Alert a tech to look for that as it doesn't catch your eye right away. If parts are a problem a large brake warehouse company near me is excellent at these issues. They will ship parts but that's not their thing as a rule. Ph: 978-562-7004 ask for Jim or Bear. Website may help or direct email to owner may help too if you and mention my name or Michael's Enterprises. These are NOT competitive or contradictory to this site in any way, www.automotivebrake.us or Jim at JIMABW120@CS.com Good luck and please post back what you find with yours as this could help a lot of folks with the same problem, T
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