I've read the e brake is designed to mainly hold only in a forward direction, something about how the shoes grip. Mine holds well if it was rolling forward, but does not hold at all if rolling backwards.

Can it be adjusted to actually hold in reverse? I have a manual trasmission and I can't warm up my truck at all unless I'm on level ground or on an angle that the truck is facing.

 

Hey.

They use opposing shoes - hold direction should not matter.

If standard adjustment procedure doesn't fix it, you may need to inspect / R&R them:

https://www.f150online.com/forums/20...ke-repair.html

MGD

 

I'm going to add to MGD's advice. You don't quite say this, but if you put the truck in reverse gear with the parking brake on, it is quite likely it will move, especially, if it is parked on an upslope. The reverse gear is a lower gear than the forward 1st gear, and even an idling engine could overcome the holding power of the parking brake, which only applies stopping power to the rear wheels.

You also don't need to warm your truck up before driving it. It is actually better on the engine and transmission for you to start driving right after starting it as long as you don't run the engine at high RPM. Just take it easy for the first mile.

But, if it's just rolling backwards with the parking brake on and the clutch depressed, then you simply need to have your parking brake adjusted or repaired.

- Jack

 

Couple things, first off, thanks to both of you for the input.
Second, it isn't in reverse gear when I'm speaking of this. It's a manual trasmission so it in neutral. Aka the only place is can be for it to not stall when the clutch is not engaged.

Lastly, I know the truck doesn't need to be warmed up, and letting it idle when it's cold will cause more harm than good, since it's not running at operating temp, that can help clog the cats, etc. I normaly only let it run for about 30 seconds and then just take it easy till it gets up to temp. However, some days when it's under 10° or less, it's just extremely uncomfortable to be freezing in there. I know it's not as good for the truck (and trust me, I normally do what's best for the truck and not myself) but it's simply so uncomfortable. Plus, if it's a shorter drive, the warm up helps it at least achieve full operation temp by the time I return. However, short drives are few and far between with this truck.

 

OK, I wasn't sure about the gear position from your earlier post.

So, if it's in neutral, you can put your foot on the brake pedal, right? Or, are you leaving the truck in neutral gear and starting it with a remote starter?

My guess is, you're not parking the truck in neutral (I wouldn't). So, step on the brake pedal. And, I think you need to have the parking brake inspected/adjusted.

- Jack

 

Hey,

I'm only taking about when it's super cold and I let it warm up for about 5 mins. As in, Id go out, start it and put it in neutral, leave the truck and go back inside. It'll roll backward but not forward while in neutral with the e brake on.

Also, when I park the truck, I always leave it in first and apply the e brake. I've done it that way since it was brand new.

I'll look into adjusting it when it's a little warmer. There's a little star shaped wheel, I believe, that'll adjust it.

Ps, I think we were just confusing eachother, but are perhaps on the same page now? Haha

 

Yes, I was definitely NOT on the same page as you. My fault, I was letting my preconceived notions get in the way. And, my age and rapidly deteriorating brain cells probably contributed too.

There IS an adjusting screw, but I can't comment on how you get to it. The manual I have only talks about removing and replacing the parking brake shoes. It LOOKS like the adjusting screw is possibly accessible without removing the wheels. I've never done mine on the truck, but have worked on the brakes on my trailer.

As a temporary fix, you could always put chocks behind the wheels when you park the truck on the incline. They should hold it while you go back inside to thaw out.

- Jack

 

Hey fellas.

Refer to this vidya - starting @ 4:34, and then again @ 12:56 - shows the l'il star wheel adjuster thangmabooger - accessible via a plugged hole on the inside of the backplate.




Its a good reference repair vidya fer the 04-08 rear e-brake system.

MGD

 

Nice find, MGD! Amazing what's on the web now.

- Jack

 

Thank you, sir! That'll greatly help!

JackandJanet, thanks for your help too!

 

The parking brake is a small drum brake and as such, it does "self energize" a bit when applied but it should hold might near as well backwards as it does forwards. In either direction, one set of shoes get's jambed harder against the anchor. You might want to take a look at the parking brake shoes for wear issues.

Are you parking on a up hill grade of a street with a curbing? When I lived at home with parents last I learned to pull up next to the curb, close to it .... then cut my front wheels away from the curb and ease car back a hair so frt tire rear edge was almost or was touching the curb. Parked in 1st with PB on. Likewise, if parking down hill, same except cut frt wheels towards the curb.

 

Thanks I'll check the shoes! Another thing, I totally forgot: a couple years ago I had removed that little rubble plug on the inside of wheel. You know, you adjust the parking brake. Well, that little rubble plug fell inside the drum I believe. I was never able to get it out and just ended up putting a new plug in. Could be part of my issue? Id completely forgotten!

Lastly, im it parking on hills or streets. Just parking spaces that sometimes have a little slope to them.

 

There ain't a lot that little rubber plug can affect inside the brake, not even the small parking drums on these PUs.