How to Adjust the Parking Brake on a 2002 Tahoe

Most General Motors light trucks and SUVs from the 2000 to 2006 model years use a four-wheel disc brake system for increased stopping power. The parking brake for these trucks is a completely independent system of brake shoes located inside of the rear disc brake rotor. Adjusting the parking brake on a 2002 Tahoe, or any similar GMC vehicle, requires special care.

Instructions

1

Jack up the rear of the vehicle and support it using the jack stands. Remove both rear wheel and tire assemblies. Make a mark across the brake rotor and the hub, so that you can install it again in the same position. Place a C-clamp over the caliper, between the rear of the caliper body and the outboard brake pad. Tighten the clamp gradually to compress the disc-brake piston.

2

Remove the C-clamp from the caliper. Remove the nut and bolt from the quarter shaft shield on the caliper, and remove the shield. Remove the two caliper bolts and pull the brake caliper off the rotor. Hang the caliper by a bungee cord. Remove the rotor by turning it slowly while pulling it away from the hub. You may need to hit the end of the hub or the rotor with a hammer to separate the rotor and allow it to come off.

3

Clean all rust from the hub-mounting surface, as well as on the brake rotor flange, where it meets the hub. This will keep the rotors true and avoid pulsation. Clean with a wire brush. Use a clean cloth to remove any dirt and debris on the parking brake shoes.

4

Use the J21177A tool to measure the outside surface of the brake rotor "hat," or the area that the shoes push against. Lock the gauge in place and put the other side of the gauge over the parking brake shoes at their widest point. Turn the adjusting nut until the parking brake shoes contact the gauge. This gives the correct shoe-to-drum clearance. Repeat for the other side.

5

Install the brake drums on the hubs, lining up the marks so that you install them in the same position. Install the brake calipers and quarter shaft seal. Install the wheel and tire assemblies. Verify that the equalizer nut on the parking brake cable is tight. Apply and release the parking brake pedal three times.