Adjusting parking brakes - 2008 Nissan Pathfinder

check to make sure the rear brake shoes are adjusted before adjusting park brake cable. pull the brake drum off and inspect brake shoes before adjusting

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
It is a good idea to only disassemble and assemble one side at a time, leaving the other side intact as a reference.

1. Raise and support the vehicle safely.
2. Remove the brake drum.
3. Disconnect the parking brake rear cable and conduit.
4. Remove the brake shoe hold-down springs and brake shoe hold-down pins.
5. Remove the brake shoe adjusting screw spring.
6. Remove the brake shoe adjusting lever and adjuster screw.
7. Remove the brake shoe retracting spring.
8. Remove the brake shoes from the backing plate.
9. Remove and discard the parking brake lever clip. Remove the washer.
10. Remove the parking brake lever from the rear brake shoe.

To install:

1. Thoroughly clean the backing plate with brake cleaning solvent and dry completely.
2. Use silicone grease to lubricate the brake backing plate-to-brake shoe contact areas.
3. Apply a light coating of premium grease to the threaded areas of the adjuster. Turn the adjuster in and out to spread the lubricant. Turn the adjuster all the way down on the screw and loosen one-half turn.
4. Install the parking brake lever to the rear (secondary) brake shoe with a new clip.
5. Position the brake shoes on the backing plate and install the brake shoe hold-down springs.
6. Attach the parking brake rear cable and conduit to the parking brake lever.
7. Attach the brake shoe retracting spring.

The socket end of the brake adjuster screw is stamped with "R" or "L" to indicate that it is to be installed either on the right (passenger's side) or left (driver's side) of the vehicle. The adjuster nuts can be distinguished by the number of grooves machined around the body of the nut. Two grooves indicate a right-hand adjuster nut and one groove indicates a left-hand adjuster nut. Another way to identify brake adjuster assemblies is to check thread pitch. The right side adjuster assembly has right-hand threads and the left side has left-hand threads. If installed correctly, the brake adjuster assembly will increase in length when the brake shoe adjusting lever is operated.

1. Install brake adjuster screw in the slots on the brake shoes. The wider slot on the socket end must fit in the slot on the front (primary) brake shoe.
2. Install the brake shoe adjusting lever on the lever pin.
3. Install the brake adjusting screw in the slot on the secondary brake shoe and in the slot on the brake shoe lever. The brake shoe adjusting lever should contact the brake adjuster screw.
4. Adjust the brake shoes.
5. Install the drums.

ADJUSTMENTS

The drum brakes are self-adjusting and require a manual adjustment only after the brake shoes have been replaced, or when the length of the adjusting screw has been changed while performing some other service operation.
Drum Installed

1. Raise and support the vehicle safely.
2. Remove the rubber plug from the adjusting slot on the backing plate.
3. Insert a Brake Adjustment Tool (D81L-1103-C) or equivalent into the slot and engage the lowest possible tooth on the starwheel. Move the end of the brake spoon downward to move the starwheel upward and expand the adjusting screw. Repeat this operation until the brakes lock the wheels.
4. Insert a small screwdriver or piece of firm wire (coat hanger wire) into the adjusting slot and push the automatic adjusting lever out and free of the starwheel on the adjusting screw and hold it there.
5. Engage the topmost tooth possible on the starwheel with the brake adjusting spoon. Move the end of the adjusting spoon upward to move the adjusting screw starwheel downward and contract the adjusting screw. Back off the adjusting screw starwheel until the wheel spins freely with a minimum of drag. Keep track of the number of turns that the starwheel is backed off, or the number of strokes taken with the brake adjusting spoon.
6. Repeat this operation for the other side. When backing off the brakes on the other side, the starwheel adjuster must be backed off the same number of turns to prevent side-to-side brake pull.
7. When the brakes are adjusted, make several stops while backing the vehicle to equalize the brakes on both of the wheels.
8. Lower the vehicle.

Drum Removed
See Figure 2

Fig. Fig. 2: When using a brake adjustment gauge, first measure the inside diameter of the drum (top) and then adjust the brakes shoes to the proper outside diameter (bottom)

1. Remove the brake drum.
2. Make sure that the shoe-to-contact pad areas are clean and properly lubricated.
3. Using a Brake Adjustment Gauge (D81L-1103-A) or equivalent, check the inside diameter of the drum.
4. Measure across the diameter of the assembled brake shoes, at their widest point.
5. Turn the adjusting screw so that the diameter of the shoes is 0.030 in. (0.76mm) less than the brake drum inner diameter.
6. Install the drum.

INSPECTION

See Figure 3

Fig. Fig. 3: Measure brake shoe thickness in several places around the shoe
Inspect the brake shoes for wear using a ruler or Vernier caliper. Compare measurements to the brake specifications chart. If the lining is thinner than specification or there is evidence of the lining being contaminated by brake fluid or oil, replace all brake pad assemblies (a complete axle set).

If you have drum brakes in the back, I would adjust the shoes to the drums before adjusting the parking brake cable, as they become rusty, and often times are adjusted ok, assuming the rear brakes are adjusted up tightly enough.

Good luck on this repair.

First you have to compress the parking brake cable spring and attach the parking brake lever.
Clean and lubricate the brake backing plate.
Use silicon Brake Caliper Grease and Dielectric Compound.
Then,
install the rear brake shoes and linings:
1) position the rear brake shoes and linings
2) position the parking brake lever
3) install the brake shoe hold-down spring pins and the brake shoe hold-down springs.

Install the parking brake strut
1. install the parkig brake link spring on the parking brake strut
2. install the parking brake strut
3. Install the brake shoe anchor ping guide plate.

Install the short brake shoe retracting spring
1. Place the brake shoe adjusting lever cable over the anchor pin, with crimped side in
2. Install the short brake shoe retracting spring

Note: Make sure the brake shoe adjusting lever cable is positioned in the cable guide groove

Install the long brake shoe retracting
1. install the cable guide
2. position the brake shoe adjusting lever cable in the cable guide groove
3. install the long brake shoe retracting spring

Note: to prevent incorrect installation, teh socket of each brake adjuster screw is stamped R or L

Assemble the brake adjuster screw assembly.
1. apply silicone brake caliper grease and dielectric compound
2. install the brake adjuster screw into the brake show adjusting screw nut to the end of the threads and then loosen one half turn
3. install the brake shoe adjusting screw socket on the brake shoe adjusting screw nut.

Install the brake adjuster screw assembly
1. Position the brake adjuster screw assembly
2. Install the brake shoe adjusting screw spring
3. Position the brake shoe adjusting lever cable
4. Position the adjusting lever return spring and the brake shoe adjusting lever
5. Hook the brake shoe adjusting lever cable to the brake shoe adjusting lever.

Test the operation of the automatic self-adjuster
1. Pull the brake shoe adjusting lever cable and check that the brake shoe adjusting lever rotates the brake shoe adjuster assembly
2. Release the brake shoe adjusting lever cable and check that the brake shoe adjusting lever advances to the next notch on the brake shoe adjusting screw nut.

Adjust the brakes.

Install the brake drum.

Thats it

The parking brake on most vehicles are self adjusting. If the parking brake is not self adjusting you will to remove the brake drum/rotor and check to see which part is binding. If you wan to simply adjust the parking brake lever to make it tighter there should be an adjusting nut on the cable under the vehicle.

I don't know if this works on a Buick but I have had two cars that the auto adjusters worked when you used the parking brake, I rarely use the parking brake so I got in the habit of working the parking brake 20 times or so at oil change time.

Drum, Rear Brake System Standard Rear Brake

Item Part Number Description 1 2069 Brake Shoe Hold-Down Spring Pin 2 — Rear Wheel Cylinder Retaining Bolt (2 Req'd) 3 — Washer (2 Req'd) 4 — Anchor Pin (Part of 2211) 5 — Wheel Cylinder 6 2028 Brake Shoe Anchor Pin Guide Plate 7 2A637 Parking Brake Lever 8 2296 Brake Shoe Retracting Spring (Short) 9 2296 Brake Shoe Retracting Spring (Long) 10 2200 Rear Brake Shoe and Lining (Secondary) 11 — Washer 12 2106 Parking Brake Lever Pin Retainer 13 — Brake Shoe Adjusting Lever Cable Guide 14 2A642 Primary Brake Shoe Parking Brake Lever Link 15 2A601 Parking Brake Link Spring 16 2068 Brake Shoe Hold-Down Spring 17 2A176 Brake Shoe Adjusting Lever 18 2048 Brake Shoe Adjusting Screw Socket 19 2047 Brake Shoe Adjusting Screw Nut 20 2041 Brake Adjusting Screw 21 2049 Brake Shoe Adjusting Screw Spring 22 2200 Rear Brake Shoe and Lining (Primary) 23 2A178 Brake Shoe Adjusting Lever Cable 24 2211 Brake Backing Plate
Heavy Duty Rear Brake

Item Part Number Description 1 — Rear Wheel Cylinder Retaining Bolt 2 00538 Lock Nut 3 2212 Rear Brake Backing Plate 4 2262 Rear Wheel Cylinder 5 2A642 Primary Brake Shoe Parking Brake Lever Link 6 2A601 Parking Brake Link Spring 7 2A637 Parking Brake Lever 8 2106 Parking Brake Lever Pin Retainer 9 — Parking Brake Lever Bolt 10 — Secondary Shoe Assembly 11 2A179 Brake Shoe Adjusting Lever Cable Guide 12 2068 Brake Shoe Hold-Down Spring 13 — Adjusting Lever Pin 14 — Adjusting Lever Return Spring 15 2A176 Brake Shoe Adjusting Lever 16 2047 Brake Shoe Adjusting Screw Nut 17 2049 Brake Shoe Adjusting Screw Spring 18 2041 Brake Adjuster Screw 19 — Primary Shoe Assembly 20 2068 Brake Shoe Hold-Down Spring 21 2200 Rear Brake Shoe and Lining 22 2035 Brake Shoe Retracting Spring 23 2A178 Brake Shoe Adjusting Lever Cable 24 2092 Brake Adjusting Hole Cover 25 2069 Brake Shoe Hold-Down Spring Pin
The rear drum brakes:

• Have internal shoes that expand against the brake drum (1126).
• Are a single-anchor type.
• Are actuated by one rear wheel cylinder (2262).
• Have two pistons in the rear wheel cylinder (2261). One exerts force against the upper end of the primary shoe; the other exerts force against the upper end of the secondary shoe.
• Adjust rear brake shoes and linings (2200) automatically.
• Need manual brake adjustment if the adjusters are not operating properly or after the rear brake shoes and linings have been replaced.

When the brake pedal is applied, hydraulic fluid pressure forces the pistons in the rear wheel cylinder outward, moving the rear brake shoes and linings against the brake drum.
The rear drum brake system includes the parking brake mechanism. Refer to Section 206-05 .

Hope this helps. This is out of the factory manual. Let me know if this works for you.
PARKING BRAKE NOTE: Tensioner adjustment is only necessary when the tensioner, or a cable has been replaced or disconnected for service. When adjustment is necessary, perform adjustment only as described in the following procedure. This is necessary to avoid faulty park brake operation.

1. Raise vehicle.
2. Fully back off cable tensioner adjusting nut at equalizer to create slack in cables.
3. Remove rear wheel/tire assemblies. Remove brake calipers and rotors.
4. Verify park brakes are in good condition and operating properly.
5. Verify park brake cables operate freely and are not binding, or seized.
6. Check park brake shoe adjustment.
7. Reinstall rotors and make sure rotors turn freely.
8. Reinstall brake calipers. Tighten guide pin bolts to 41 n·m (30 ft.lbs.)
9. Reinstall wheel/tire assemblies after brake shoe adjustment is complete.
10. Lower vehicle enough for access to park brake foot pedal. Fully apply park brakes

NOTE: Leave park brakes applied until adjustment is complete.

1. Raise vehicle again.
2. Mark tensioner rod 6.35 mm (1/4 in.) from edge of tensioner bracket Adjustment Mark On Cable Tensioner Rod
3. Tighten adjusting nut at equalizer until mark on tensioner rod moves into alignment with tensioner bracket

CAUTION: Do not loosen, or tighten the tensioner adjusting nut for any reason after completing adjustment.

1. Lower vehicle until rear wheels are 15-20 cm (6-8 in.) off shop floor.
2. Release park brake foot pedal and verify that rear wheels rotate freely without drag. Verify pedal returns to fully released position.
3. Lower the vehicle

Rear DRUM instructions are first If you would Like Pictures and all They Must Be Emailed as TOO LARGE For FixYa's Format im at aol.com
Just use my Knickname@ and let me know where to send.

1. Raise and support rear of vehicle, then remove wheel and tire assembly.
2. Remove brake drum. If brake drum cannot be removed easily, insert a suitable screwdriver through hole in backing plate, then push adjuster lever away from adjuster and back of adjustment tension.
3. Remove tension spring, using a suitable tool, then remove rear shoe hold-down spring and pin. Remove rear brake shoe and anchor spring, Fig. 7.
   1. On Land Cruiser models, remove front hold-down spring using a suitable tool, then disconnect the parking brake cable from the parking brake bellcrank, Fig. 7.
   2. On Pickup, 4Runner, 4WD T100 and 4WD Tacoma models, remove front shoe hold-down spring and pin, using a suitable tool, then disconnect No. 1 parking brake cable from No. 3 parking brake bellcrank.
   3. On 2WD T100 models, proceed as follows:
   1. Remove E-ring, then automatic adjusting lever and C-washer, then parking brake lever. Disconnect brake line from wheel cylinder using a suitable container to catch fluid.
   2. Remove wheel cylinder. Remove following parts from wheel cylinder: two boots, two pistons, two pistons cups and spring.
   1. On models except 2WD T100, remove front brake with strut, then disconnect parking brake cable from front shoe. Remove parking brake cable No. 2.
   2. Remove adjusting lever spring, then the adjuster from front shoe.
   Inspection
   
   1. Measure brake drum inside diameter. Inside diameter should be 11.61 inches,
      1. Measure brake shoe lining thickness, Fig. 3. Minimum thickness should be .04 inch on models except on T100 models and .039 inch on T100 models.
      2. Inspect brake lining and drum for proper contact and replace drum or shoes as necessary.
      3. Inspect wheel cylinder for corrosion or damage.
      4. Inspect backing plate for wear or damage.
      5. Inspect bellcrank components for bending, wear or damage.
      6. Apply a suitable lubricant to backing plate contact areas.
      Installation
      
      1. On 2WD T100 models, proceed as follows:
      1. Apply lithium soap base glycol grease to piston cups, pistons and boots.
      2. Assemble and install wheel cylinder.
      3. Connect brake line to cylinder.
      1. Apply high temperature grease to following parts:
      1. Backing plate and brake shoe contact points.
      2. Anchor plate and brake shoe contact points.
      3. Adjusting bolt.
      4. Adjuster and brake shoe contact points.
      1. Apply a suitable lubricant to adjuster bolt threads and end.
      2. Assemble adjuster to lever, then install adjuster lever spring.
      3. On Land Cruiser models, install parking brake lever cable to parking brake shoe, then attach cable to bellcrank.
      4. On Pickup, 4Runner, 4WD T100 and 4WD Tacoma models, install No. 1 parking brake cable to parking brake lever shoe, then attach the other side of cable to No. 3 bellcrank.
      5. Position front shoe in place with end of shoe inserted into piston, then install shoe hold-down spring and pin using a suitable tool.
      6. Assemble anchor spring to front and rear shoe, then install rear shoe with end inserted in piston.
      7. Install rear shoe hold-down spring and pin, then the tension spring.
      8. If necessary, adjust bellcrank as follows:
      1. Lightly pull bellcrank in direction "A", Fig. 8, until there is no slack in part "B".
         1. Rotate adjusting bolt until dimension "C" is .016-.031 inch.
         2. Lock adjusting bolt with locknut, when connect parking brake cable to bellcrank.
         3. Install tension spring.
         1. Ensure proper parking brake travel.
         2. Pull adjusting lever cable upward, then release and ensure adjusting bolt rotates. If bolt does not rotate, check for improper installation of rear brakes.
         3. Adjust strut to shortest possible length, then install drum.
         4. Pull parking brake lever fully upward. Repeat process several times.
            1. Remove drum, then check for proper clearance, Fig. 4. Clearance should be .024 inch. If clearance is not as specified, check parking brake system.
            2. Install brake drum, then bleed and refill brake system.
            3. Install wheel and tire assembly, then lower vehicle.

FRONT ROTORS & PADS

1. Remove caliper.
2. Remove cap and snap ring, Fig. 10, then remove cone washers with tapered punch.
3. Insert suitable length bolts into flange bolt holes, then tighten bolts evenly and remove flanges.
4. Remove free wheel hub cover and snap ring, then remove nut, spring washer and cone washer with suitable tapered punch.
5. Remove free wheel hub body and gasket.
6. Remove locknut, lock washer and adjusting nut.
7. Remove axle hub and brake disc as an assembly.
8. Remove oil seal and inner bearing from hub.
9. Reverse procedure to install. Torque adjusting nut to 43 ft. lbs., then back off nut. Torque nut to 18 ft. lbs. Using spring scale attached to hub bolt, check that preload is 1.4-12.6. Install lockwasher and locknut, if equipped. Torque locknut to 35 ft. lbs., and recheck preload. Secure lockwasher by bending one tab inward and one tab outward.

1. Raise and support front of vehicle, then remove tire and wheel assembly.
2. Remove clip and hole pins, Fig. 9.
3. Remove anti-rattle spring and shim(s) if equipped, then remove brake pads.
4. Lubricate caliper housing with suitable brake grease at pad contact points.
5. Reverse procedure to install.

Check the return spring on the parking brake lever as wll as the gear teeth:

1. Make sure the parking brake cable is free and is not frozen or sticking. Make sure the brake shoes are properly adjusted.
2. Raise and safely support the rear wheels.
3. Apply the parking brake while counting the number of notches. Check the desired parking brake stroke; it should be 7-9 notches.
4. If adjustment is required, remove the adjusting nut cover and turn the adjusting nut located at the front of the parking brake cable.
5. After adjustment, check there is no looseness between the adjusting nut and the parking brake lever, then tighten the locknut.

Do not adjust the parking brake too tight. If the number of notches is less than specification, the cable has been pulled too much and the automatic adjuster will fail or the brakes will drag.

1. With the parking brake lever in the released position, turn the rear wheels to confirm that the rear brakes are not dragging.
2. Lower the vehicle.
3. Check that the parking brake holds the vehicle on an incline.