I need to adjust the parking brake on my '89 V8. The Haynes manual shows the adjusting nut being in front of the parking brake lever inside the car. I just took off the center console, but I don't see that nut. Is Haynes incorrect? Is the parking brake supposed to be adjusted from a different location? Underneath the car?
adjusting the parking brake
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Shaolin Crane
Banned
its a parking brake, not a drift brake, they arent ment to be able to lock up the rears just keep the car steady when its in park
LOL, yeah, but it doesn't even lock them up enough to keep the car from rolling down a slight incline. In my manual it says there's a way to adjust them, and it shows an adjustment nut located in front of the parking brake lever. I couldn't see it when I took off the center console. (I have an '89 V8)/
I believe the adjustment is made inside the drum itself. I beleive there is a small adjuster wheel you turn to spread the shoes slightly more.
Unfortunately, i don't know. My only experience with drums was when i tossed them in the trash and put disks on
Unfortunately, i don't know. My only experience with drums was when i tossed them in the trash and put disks on
Shaolin Crane
Banned
stang&2Birds
Founding Member
Geez, a simple question. You'd think someone would know. 
Well, I do, kinda.
The diagram that you're seeing is for a pre-87 Stang. I should know, I have an '86.
For 87-93, the parking brake handle has a spring that should keep tension on the brake cable. Also, as people have said, the star wheel adjuster in the drums must be working and have the correct adjustment.
With the above said, there's an equalizer right below the parking brake handle that transfers the force from the single cable from the handle to the two cables that go to the back wheels. There is often the ability to have an adjustment there. I do not know how that equalizer bracket and cable changed over the 87-93 years. However, I do know that a many years ago, a Fox Stang that I found in the junk yard had an "adjustment nut" on the cable that went from the brake handle to the equalizer. If it was really an adjustment nut, or if there was juts a long section of threaded rod at the end of the single cable, I can't say for sure. What I know is that the Fox that I took the equalizer bracket from didn't have the equalizer bracket all the way back on the threaded rod section.
Also, for a properly adjusted and working parking brake system, with stock size and type tires (width and not race tires), basically any car should be able to lock up the rear tires with the parking brake at speeds under ~5mph. Most will do it up to 10mph.
So, you have a number of things to check, and that could be wrong.
Good Luck!
Well, I do, kinda.
The diagram that you're seeing is for a pre-87 Stang. I should know, I have an '86.
For 87-93, the parking brake handle has a spring that should keep tension on the brake cable. Also, as people have said, the star wheel adjuster in the drums must be working and have the correct adjustment.
With the above said, there's an equalizer right below the parking brake handle that transfers the force from the single cable from the handle to the two cables that go to the back wheels. There is often the ability to have an adjustment there. I do not know how that equalizer bracket and cable changed over the 87-93 years. However, I do know that a many years ago, a Fox Stang that I found in the junk yard had an "adjustment nut" on the cable that went from the brake handle to the equalizer. If it was really an adjustment nut, or if there was juts a long section of threaded rod at the end of the single cable, I can't say for sure. What I know is that the Fox that I took the equalizer bracket from didn't have the equalizer bracket all the way back on the threaded rod section.
Also, for a properly adjusted and working parking brake system, with stock size and type tires (width and not race tires), basically any car should be able to lock up the rear tires with the parking brake at speeds under ~5mph. Most will do it up to 10mph.
So, you have a number of things to check, and that could be wrong.
Good Luck!
Shakerhood
Dirt-Old 20+Year Member
Geez, a simple question. You'd think someone would know.
Well, I do, kinda.
The diagram that you're seeing is for a pre-87 Stang. I should know, I have an '86.
For 87-93, the parking brake handle has a spring that should keep tension on the brake cable. Also, as people have said, the star wheel adjuster in the drums must be working and have the correct adjustment.
With the above said, there's an equalizer right below the parking brake handle that transfers the force from the single cable from the handle to the two cables that go to the back wheels. There is often the ability to have an adjustment there. I do not know how that equalizer bracket and cable changed over the 87-93 years. However, I do know that a many years ago, a Fox Stang that I found in the junk yard had an "adjustment nut" on the cable that went from the brake handle to the equalizer. If it was really an adjustment nut, or if there was juts a long section of threaded rod at the end of the single cable, I can't say for sure. What I know is that the Fox that I took the equalizer bracket from didn't have the equalizer bracket all the way back on the threaded rod section.
Also, for a properly adjusted and working parking brake system, with stock size and type tires (width and not race tires), basically any car should be able to lock up the rear tires with the parking brake at speeds under ~5mph. Most will do it up to 10mph.
So, you have a number of things to check, and that could be wrong.
Good Luck!
The Threaded Center Cable you came across is the one that Ford puts in with the M-2300-K Kit. The adjustment on the stock cars is in the drums and is does a pretty lame job of holding the car.
Shakerhood
Dirt-Old 20+Year Member
The starwheel is the only adjustment, remember how old these cars are getting, it may be wise to replace the cables as the stretch over time.
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