Emergency break problems.

[Teile]

I have a 1993 isuzu rodeo stanard transmission and my emergency break stopped working about a week ago. Got into my car after my roommate had been driving it and it didnt work. My brother said something about a cable that needs tighting under the car but i cant seem to find one. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[directory]

did you recently have snow or ice? sounds like a simple case of someone playing in a parking lot, sliding around...

there is a cable onder the truck, not exactly sure where on your year...

it will have a spinner nut on it that you need to tighten.

[highlandlake]

Originally Posted by directory

did you recently have snow or ice? sounds like a simple case of someone playing in a parking lot, sliding around....

Ha, sounds like you are familiar with the fun that can be had with a borrowed car. I used to do that years ago..........and your lucky if thats ALL that was wrong with the car.

I think that the brake adjustment is easier than climbing underneath. If this Rodeo has the center console, with the parking brake between the seats then all you have to do is remove the console cover and tighten the lock nut behind the handle (might be a 10mm wrench).
But this works only if the cable was over-stretched by a joyriding roommate. If there are more serious brake issues unrelated to the loan, well that means a trip to the brake shop.
Good luck - and uh, never beleive the line "I'll just use it to get us a pizza".

[Gizmo42]

You should adjust the rear brakes before messing with the cable. Shoes might have worn a bit.

With it on jack stands and parking brake off look at the back of the dust sheild for the brakes. There should be a rubber plug about 1/2"x1". Take it out and you should see a 'star' adjuster. While turning the wheel by hand turn the adjuster until the wheel will only make one complete revolution if you spin it then stop.

If the parking brake still doesnt work right after the rear brakes are adjusted, then adjust the cable. You should notice improved stopping performance once the rear brakes are adjusted.

[directory]

Originally Posted by highlandlake

Ha, sounds like you are familiar with the fun that can be had with a borrowed car. .

who me???

[Ramblin Fever]

You know, my emergency brake has never held the weight of the truck. Brake pads are fine, have only been replaced twice.

[Gizmo42]

Mine does if I go one click past where you would think it should be (6th or 7th, I forget). Thats one problem with drum in disk for e-brakes. Its not a very big brake trying to hold a 4000+ lb vehicle. Mine didnt work at all until I adjusted them.