How to Adjust E Brake on a Jetta 2001

You can adjust the e-brake on your 2001 Volkswagen Jetta right from your home garage, saving yourself money and time. The parking brake cable stretches out over time and the slack needs to be taken up in order to keep it functioning properly. You need to adjust the emergency brake when your Jetta slips when it's in park on a downhill slope.

Instructions

1

Find the center console cover between the driver's seat and the front passenger's seat. Lift up on it and remove it.

2

Step down on the brake pedal all the way to the floor, then release it. Do this a total of three times.

3

Lift up on the parking brake handle until it reaches its highest position, then release it to the lowest position. Repeat this two more times.

4

Locate the adjuster nut on the rod that is sticking out of the parking brake lever. Turn it with a wrench until it is 1/10 of an inch from the brake caliper stop.

5

Put wheel chocks in front of and behind the front wheels of the Jetta. Raise up the rear end of the vehicle with a jack and put jack stands in place underneath and near the rear wheels. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands. Spin the rear wheels forward, verifying that they spin freely without drag. If they don't spin freely, repeat step 4.

6

Raise the vehicle, remove the jack stands, lower the vehicle to the ground and remove the wheel chocks.