• Welcome to H4O! For a reduced ad experience, please login or register with the forum.

Parking Brake Lever Assembly Replacement Tip

08H3

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,370
Location
United States
This will apply to very few people out there since most H3s are automatics, and as such I doubt most of you use the parking brake often, if ever. I rarely do in an auto, so no judgement here.

My parking brake recently stopped working correctly. It would hold, but not well, and when releasing the pedal would not spring back as normal. It would just kind of slowly return. It's used regularly, so I didn't think it was anything cable related under the truck or within the drums, but I double checked and everything was good so it had to be in the pedal. Since it's hard to see in the truck, I didn't even try to diagnose it since the replacement assembly is only $57 on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GUBQ8MC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00) . I'm not going to go through a detailed replacement procedure since anyone competent with a socket and a screwdriver can look at it and figure it out. I will say, however that I am certain the autos have it easier. In the manual, the clutch pedal bolts on over the top of the parking brake assembly, so it will have to be removed first. One thing that I did not realize at first is that the clutch pedal retainer is one use only, so make sure you have a new one on hand (Dorman P/N 74014 -- available through most parts stores, but as I found not commonly stocked, or GM P/N 93221087if you absolutely feel that it's critical. ). Even though the process isn't difficult, it's very awkward. You'll be on your back with your head stuck up under the dash with both arms in unnatural positions, so expect to be sore the next day.

Here it the one tip I'm going to offer that will hopefully prevent this from happening again. From the picture you can see that the little pot metal end of the cable sheath came out of the bracket. It is held in there by a thin metal retainer which apparently went AWOL in the original one causing the the lever to stop working. The solution appeared simple, and I just mixed up some JB Weld and put some on the braket and retainer. There's no way it can slip out now. Hope this helps someone out down the road.



0445.jpg
0446.jpg
 

JPaul

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,436
Location
Way up north, UT
Hmm, interesting. I was having issues with the pedal not coming back quickly, and it got to where it wouldn't fully come back. I just sprayed mine with some PB Blaster though and it freed it right up. So might want to try that first if you're having issues, before digging into this.

On a side note, I always use my parking brake whether it's an auto or manual, I don't like the idea of holding the car in place with the automatic transmission's parking pawl. I don't think it's really meant to hold the car in place, particularly on hills.
 

alrock

El Diablo
Staff member
Messages
10,677
Location
Scottsdale
Thanks for the post. I replaced my assembly a couple years ago when the spring simply snapped

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk
 
Top