How to Adjust the Parking Brake on a 1997 Ranger

Adjust the parking brake on your 1997 Ford Ranger yourself to save time and money. You will know it's time to adjust the parking brake when your Ranger doesn't hold perfectly still while parked on a downhill incline. Adjusting the parking brake reduces the slack in the parking brake cable, preventing slippage. Do the job in a few simple steps.

Instructions

1

Step on the parking brake pedal so it goes all the way to the floor. Position wheel chocks in front of and behind the front wheels.

2

Lift up the rear end of the Ranger with a jack and the position jack stands next to the rear wheels. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.

3

Slide under the Ranger. Find and hold onto a threaded rod under the center of the vehicle. Look for the equalizer nut on the rod and tighten it with pliers six turns.

4

Find the equalizers next to the rear drum brakes inside the wheel wells. Put the cable tension gauge behind the equalizer and set the tension up to 600 pounds.

5

Disengage the parking brake. Check to see that the rear wheels spin forward freely.

6

Raise the Ranger with the jack just high enough to remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground. Remove the jack and the wheel chocks.