Suddenly, I'm noticing a big reduction in effort when applying the parking brake. I mean it happened overnight so I don't think it's brake pad (parking) wear, as that would be gradual. Also, the service manual says I shouldn't have to adjust the tension on the cables away from the initial factory adjustment. Also, I didn't drive with my parking brake on. Pretty hard to screw that up when there is a light flashing at you. What gives?

Thx

 

Look under the driver side of the truck, and see if the cable stretched or broke loose from the clip. I forget if both sides connect at the cab, or if they split on the frame rail.

 

Yep, I will let you know what I find. Thanks.

 

So last night, I drive home from work with the intention to get under the truck. I pull up in driveway, step on the parking brake and it's back to normal stiffness again! It was soft for weeks!

???

 

You might have a cable that froze "on." Check for dragging brakes if it happens again.

 

Thanks, Dan. I did check for drag and it rolls quite easily in neutral.

 

So over a year later, I finally got around to pulling off the combo disc/drums and found the cause. The brake pads are great so I delayed thinking I'd just wait till it was time to change them. However, they look brand new so I'd be waiting for years.

Anyway, I discovered that linings had fallen off the parking brake backing. Obviously cheap glue used by Dodge or their supplier. The times when the brake would work, I guess the lining would happen to have rolled into a position where the shoe backing could squeeze it against the inner drum. Otherwise, they just rolled around inside the drum.

I've ordered a set of cheap centric parking brake shoes. The cheap Advance house brand (all they had) was over forty bucks and I got these for eighteen plus ship online. I guess the auto parts gouge because these are not a common seller.

I read the manual and it says I have to pull the axles to install these. WTF??? Anyone else done parking brakes on the rear disc dakotas?

 

Ouch I just looked in the 2003 service manual yep that's what you need to do remove the axel.

 

I'm going to try and do it without removing the axle. That's just crazy.

 

If you have the space to do it

If not try this just glue the shoe material back on I'm sure some kind of glue would work its just the parking brake not much force or heat on it at all so glue should work.

Just clean up everything and turn the surface of the drum/rotor adjust it and done

Tough as Nails I think would work great its good stuff