E-Brake adjustment

11-30-2003, 01:32 AM

I need to know how to adjust the e-brake in my 1999 Alero. I called a couple of shops and one said to keep pulling the e-brake handle up and down and that it would self adjust but this didn't fix the problem. The other shop said I would have to replace the pads and that was the only fix for this. I pulled the rear tires and the pads looked great. Any help on this would be great.

Oldsman · 11-30-2003, 12:06 PM

normally e-brakes are not self adjusting. the pad for the e-brake is in the center on the rear rotors. so you have to pull tires and rotors to check your e-brake pads. they look like a bitch to change. best thing to do is contact the dealership. some set-ups are cable operated and there should be a couplers that you adjust a nut to tighten up the cable.

12-01-2003, 01:04 AM

Hey thanks for the reply on this. I broke down and went and got a book today so I could figure it out. Got my brother in law taking it to his school shop in the am to get it all fixed. After he gets it fixed I'll get with him to post the procedure so if anyone else has this problem they can fix it. Acording to the info I found on it this is a very common problem in GM cars and somewhat specific to oldsmobile. Anyways thanks again.

2fst4u · 04-24-2005, 12:44 AM

any luck on a how to from your bro? i could really use some info since i dont have the book yet

turtles_ride · 04-24-2005, 10:14 AM

dude, your looking up ancient threads, people that don't even have the cars anymore. Anyways, its a pretty easy fix. Block off your front tires because you can't have your ebrake on, jacl up your ride, take off your back wheels, undo the bolts holding the calipers on and pull the rotor off (it may be a little hard to pull off) You'll see the e-brake pads behind the rotor, they work like drum brakes. If they're not worn out, there's a dial between them that you turn to push them out closer to the inside of the rotor. Pop the rotor back on and make sure that it spins before you tighten everything back up. I left my ebrake on a couple times when i first got my car 5 years ago and the ebrake didn't work well after that, but i adjusted everything when i bought new rotors a couple months ago, and now everything works better then when i first bought the car.

AlbinoMonkeyRat · 04-24-2005, 11:20 AM

don't hassle him for being a thread jesus. it's better than some noobs who don't even look for what they need.

turtles_ride · 04-24-2005, 02:59 PM

not hasslin, just letting him know he may not get a responce from the person who started the thread, and i am glad he's using the search.

2fst4u · 04-26-2005, 12:44 PM

thanks guys, i've been lookin for this info forever. you're the first one who gives a clear explanation. sorry about the "ancient ruins"

Molson · 04-26-2005, 12:51 PM

GM says that full application of the brake 3-4 times will adjust it, that a pile of hooey.

Mine was right at the top and would barely hold anymore. I was due for brakes anyhow, so when I pulled the old rotors off, I saw there was lotsa shoe left. I did NOT adjust anything, but put the new rotors on (and pads of course, not e-brake shoes) and after the e-brake was like new.