How to Adjust the Emergency Brake on a 2005 Chevy Cavalier

You can adjust the emergency brake on your 2005 Chevy Cavalier yourself to save you time and money. The parking brake helps to keep stress off of the Cavalier's transmission while it is in park. It also is used as the backup brake system in the event of brake failure. The cables in the Chevy stretch out over time, and the slack needs to be taken up in order for the emergency brake to function properly.

Instructions

1

Lift up on the emergency brake lever five notches.

2

Place wheel chocks in front of and behind the front wheels of your Cavalier. Lift up the rear of the vehicle with a jack and slide jack stands underneath and next to each of the rear wheels.

3

Look under the center point of the vehicle for a threaded rod with an adjustment nut attached to it. Hold the rod in place with one hand and tighten the nut with a wrench with the other hand.

4

Test the adjustment by spinning one of the rear wheels backwards. It should be difficult to spin. When you try to spin it forward, it should lock.

5

Disengage the emergency brake and test the rear wheels, making sure they spin freely.

6

Raise the vehicle up, remove the jack stands, lower the vehicle with the jack and remove the wheel chocks.