Just had rear brakes replaced, now parking brake doesn’t work

Today I had the rear brake shoes, drums, rear brake lines (extended length from Wheelers off road), and related hardware replaced at my local mechanic. They did a good job from what I can tell except when I got home I put on the parking brake and the truck started rolling down the driveway.

I backed up a million times while applying the parking brake and regular brakes trying to get the self adjustment to work and it definitely made it better but the parking brake still doesn’t hold the truck. Is this something I could fix myself easily so I don’t have to drive all the way back to get the shop to fix, or just let them fool with it?

 

It sounds like your mechanic potentially didn't perform the e brake adjustment, just tossed the drums on and called it good.

Check the adjustment of them. The drums should exhibit some difficulty removing them when you try to pull them off. If they are not, and just slide out he did not perform the adjustment which is sort of a red flag.

 

Adjust the rears properly or take it back and have them do it as you paid them already to do it:

 

Easy! As mentioned above - drum needs to be adjusted. Happened to my first time doing the rear drums....

 

Thanks guys! Looks fairly easy so will probably do it myself tomorrow.

 

Pay attention to the little adjuster wheel. Make sure the teeth are pointed the right direction. They may have gotten switched accidentally and ended up on the wrong side

 

Yep, usually, when removing the shoes, the adjusters are 'closed' (screwed shut) to make it easier to remove the upper retention spring - I do it every time myself. When they put the adjusters back in, they forgot to open them up. I believe they open up by turning counter-clockwise. It can be done with a screwdriver that slides in through the backside. However, it's a PIA to do it that way. It is easier to remove the drum, turn out the adjuster 1 or two turns, then put on the drum for fitment. Keep adjusting out until there is a slight drag when installing the drums, then go back half a turn.

 

I would take it back. Not a big deal but you've already paid for this. Unless you really wanna get your hands dirty and DIY

 

Well we had snow on the ground this morning in Nashville so took it back for them to deal with it. You guys were right - they said the last tech “forgot” to adjust the shoes back.

Good to go now

 

Excellent!