Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Parking Brake Drum

The parking brake will keep your vehicle in place while it is in park, whether you are on a slight hill or a steep grade. Furthermore, it helps to keep the weight of the vehicle off the transmission gears while in park. All cars on the road are required to have a working parking brake, so it is important that yours is in working order. This brake is a drum brake, which means it uses frictions caused by pads to make the vehicle stop. There are a few symptoms to watch out for when your parking brake drum starts to go bad.

1. Parking brake won’t hold

If you notice your parking brake will not hold, there may be a problem with the rear brake adjustment. This system holds tension on the rear brakes so when the parking brake is engaged, the rear brakes hold the car in place. The parking brake system needs to be used often to keep the correct rear brake tension. If the parking brake is not used enough, the result will be distance between the pads in the parking brake drum. A professional from YourMechanic will be able to properly diagnose this problem for you for you and make any adjustments needed.

2. Poor braking

As soon as you notice the parking brake is working, but not as well as it used to, then it is time to get it looked at. The parking brake drum can wear down over time and may need to be resurfaced, or replaced altogether. A mechanic from YourMechanic should make a distinction between the two, and properly resurface or replace the parking brake drum. This way, the problem will be properly diagnosed and the parking brake will be in good working condition.

3. Keep your parking brake working well

To keep your parking brake working well, remember to use it every so often because not using it is one of the most common reasons for failure. Most parking brake systems use a self adjuster that requires use to activate. Never drive with the parking brake engaged, as this will overheat the brake. In addition, if your Parking Brake Warning light illuminates, get your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible.

If your parking brake won’t hold or the brake is not working like it used to, you may need a parking brake drum replacement. This can be done when you book a service online 24/7 at YourMechanic. Keep in mind to use your parking brake on a regular basis, and watch for warning lights on your dashboard to keep your vehicle in good working condition.


Next Step

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Jesse

17 years of experience
127 reviews
Jesse
17 years of experience
Jaguar S-Type V8-4.2L - Brake System Inspection - Palm Coast, Florida
Jesse showed up for the appointment timely and ready to work. He was polite and professional and competent. He took sufficient time to inspect the vehicle and explained in layman's terms any problems and whatever corrective work that might be required. I highly recommend Jesse and hope to have him service my vehicles again in the future if needed.
Ford Escape - Brake System Inspection - Daytona Beach, Florida
Jesse arrived on time after sending notice 15 mins prior. A true professional Jesse got right down to business. He started his inspection work right away and did a thorough professional job and determined the solution to his findings. I am very pleased. He is a true expert mechanic.

Johnny

34 years of experience
392 reviews
Johnny
34 years of experience
Toyota RAV4 L4-2.4L - Brake System Inspection - Sacramento, California
Johnny arrived early which was great, he performed the inspection in less than half an hour, and gave us a complete quote for all items needing attention, including the brakes as our main concern. Johnny is fast and efficient so I scheduled the work done by him.
Ford Escape - Brake System Inspection - Sacramento, California
The convenience is worth the cost. I was also tired of the dealership not really caring about my old car. Last couple of times I had to wait well over an hour to get my car after the dealership said "It's ready!". They also wouldn't fix the things I asked saying they didn't have time and I need to come back.

Luis

30 years of experience
119 reviews
Luis
30 years of experience
Honda Accord V6-3.0L - Brake System Inspection - Northbrook, Illinois
He's excellent. On Time, honest and all repairs done quickly and correctly. Book him if he's available!

Christopher

16 years of experience
246 reviews
Christopher
16 years of experience
Nissan Sentra L4-2.0L - Brake System Inspection - Charlotte, North Carolina
Very informative and made sure to clarify on what he spoke on so that I understood what was happening with my car

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