Parking Brake

One of the more common parking brake configurations on modern vehicles is called the ‘mini-drum’ located inside the hat of the brake rotor. Effectively, working like a conventional duo-servo drum parking brake. Pulling the cable or foot lever forces the shoes outward against the drum (the hat of the disk brake rotor). There is no self-adjuster mechanism for the star wheel to adjust/compensate for she wear. The only time the parking brake is applied is when the vehicle is at rest, so the shoes should last the life of the vehicle unless the parking brake is not releasing causing the shoes to drag.

Electric Parking Brake

To service electric parking brake systems requires a professional-grade scan tool. Do not attempt jumping any pins of the motor electrical connector to extend or retract the piston or cables. Doing so will likely trigger a diagnostics trouble code, resulting in the vehicle’s computer disabling the parking brake system and illuminating a red ‘BRAKE’ light on the instrument cluster. Damage to the brake system and/or electrical components can result if work is not performed by an experienced technician.