I HAVE A 99 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 3.3 L R MOTOR. WE REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES AND FRONT ROTORS AND JOB WENT FINE, IN FACT, THE PEDAL WAS BETTER THAN EVER. A FEW DAYS LATER WE REPLACED THE REAR SHOES, WHEEL CYLINDERS AND HARDWARE. WHAT A NIGHTMARE. THE JOB ITSELF WENT FINE, BUT TOOK A LONG TIME TO GET AIR OUT OF THE SYSTEM. NOW THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT ADJUST AND WE CAN NOT FIND ANY MANUAL ADJUSTMENT ON THE CABLE. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE SELF ADJUSTING, BUT IT IS NOT ADJUSTING. THE REAR BRAKES THEMSELVES WERE ADJUSTED TO THE MAX, AT FIRST A LITTLE TOO MAX. BUT STILL HAVE NO PARKING BRAKE. PARKING BRAKE WAS PERFECTLY FINE BEFORE STARTING THE JOB ON THE REAR. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT TO DO OR WHAT IT COULD BE? WE CAN REPLACE THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE, BUT I DO NOT THINK THAT IS THE PROBLEM, SINCE IT WAS WORKING PERFECTLY BEFORE THE PADS WERE REPLACED, IT SHOULD WORK BETTER WITH NEW PADS, BUT IT IS NOT. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING UP HILLS A NEW SOUND HAS DEVELOPED. SOUNDS LIKE MY FUEL INJECTED MOTOR HAS A FOUR BARREL. SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE AN INTAKE HAS OPENED ON A MUSCLE CAR. COULD THIS BE A MOTOR OR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM???

 

I have the same problem ('97 Grand Caravan). My parking brake worked (although weak) before I replaced worn out rear shoes. After new shoes, no parking brake whatsoever.I don't see any adjustments for the cable.

Any help is appreciated!

 

the parking brake only needs adjusting if the cables are replaced
most people dont use it so they seldom stretch
the parking brake is automatic/spring tension at the pedal

you need to adjust the rear shoe's till there's a slight drag on the drums
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d801a4c28.jsp

 

Usually when the rear shoes are replaced (drum brake vehicles) the parking brake cable is disconnected. After re-assembly, there is a procedure in the shop manual for reconnecting the cable and re-setting the automatic adjuster mechanism at the pedal--it involves engaging and disengaging the adjuster lock-out pin that is too difficult to describe here.