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-   -   Rear brakes (https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/maintenance-upkeep-50/rear-brakes-56931/)

onelon 05-10-2016 03:30 AM

Rear brakes
 
Hi all,

I did a complete brake job, front and rear, on my HHR, but now mybhand brake is almost useless. It will engage only when you pull it wayyyy up. I've read here that this could be because I haven't adjusted the rear brakes properly. Can someone point me to a thread on about how to properly adjust the rear brakes?

Thanks

hhrss10 05-10-2016 06:23 AM

Using the handy dandy search bar at the top, this is the first post to show up.

Hope this helps....

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/brak...ocedure-36754/

Oldblue 05-10-2016 07:16 AM

That is a great thread to guide you!

onelon 05-11-2016 01:08 AM

Update:
I went through the thread suggested. I read through it and watched the video. Did exactly as the video instructed. I adjusted the breaks to the point that the wheel would practically NOT move. I'm a 200LBS guy, weight lifting type, and I had to put a bit of strength to move the wheel after adjusting it. However, I still had to remove the center console and tighten the cable.
Is this how it should have happened?
Should I, after adjusting the brakes to that point, still have to tighten the cable?
Can anybody tell me if there's something else I should be concerned with?

thank you!

whopper 05-11-2016 02:53 AM

As I understand it you adjusted the brakes (not breaks) to the point that you could barely turn it? Hopefully you do not now think that they are properly adjusted?

If you did that, you did not follow the instructions off the link above - you really should not be working on the vehicle. Take it to a mechanic.

If you adjusted the brakes wayyyyy too tight, and found the cable was still way too loose, then obviously you have a problem with the way you installed the new brakes. You need to go back and double check them. Of course with your brakes over adjusted, you are going to have to back them off again, so you can pull the drums.

Your duplicate post on the other thread has been deleted. Please do not double post as it just makes it too difficult for everyone to follow.

donbrew 05-11-2016 07:09 AM

One time a E-brake cable "became" disconnected on a shoe.

Was the E-brake tight before the brake job? If not might be a stretched/broken cable.

The drums should spin with a bit of resistance, like about 1.5 turns (not exact).

onelon 05-11-2016 12:07 PM


Originally Posted by whopper (Post 803196)
As I understand it you adjusted the brakes (not breaks) to the point that you could barely turn it? Hopefully you do not now think that they are properly adjusted?

If you did that, you did not follow the instructions off the link above - you really should not be working on the vehicle. Take it to a mechanic.

If you adjusted the brakes wayyyyy too tight, and found the cable was still way too loose, then obviously you have a problem with the way you installed the new brakes. You need to go back and double check them. Of course with your brakes over adjusted, you are going to have to back them off again, so you can pull the drums.

Your duplicate post on the other thread has been deleted. Please do not double post as it just makes it too difficult for everyone to follow.

I understand you know that the friction between the pads and the drums will wear the pads down and free the wheels after driving it a few miles. Anyways I saw a mechanic, he looked into and asked me if the hand brake was loose before I worked the brakes, and yes they were. So he says the cable is stretched and no matter what I did I would still have to tighten the cable. As far as tightening the brakes too much, he says it's fine. As long as you can move the wheel with your hands they're good.

Silverfox 05-11-2016 12:42 PM

Here is how Chevrolet did mine.

The car did not just have the brakes redone like yours but it had 23,000 original miles on it when I went in.
The E Brake was at approx. 5 clicks tight.
They pulled off the drums and checked the internals blowing out any debris.
Put the drums back on.
Manually adjusted each side as follows.
Adjusted until wheel could not be turned.
Slowly backed off until wheel felt very close to free.
Stopped there and checked E Brake.
E Brake then at approx. 4 clicks
Adjusted cable to 2-3 clicks
Checked wheels for any drag when E Brake off.
Just a very slight pad sound when turning wheel.
Test drove car.
OK.
Done.
From that point on which is hardly any miles at this time, I am going to try the back up and apply brakes firmly 2 or 3 times drill to see if the automatic adjusters are working or not.
If not then I will monitor the E brake position in clicks and re- adjust the rears manually as needed.

SF

donbrew 05-11-2016 01:01 PM

2 Attachment(s)
Too tight will also overheat and warp the drums and crack the pads and cause the springs to loose temper.

Silverfox; a GM shop adjusted your brakes that way? That is NOT the official GM Manual way. You are supposed to use the old fashioned double ended caliper with a spacer to adjust them.

From the Shop Manual:

Silverfox 05-11-2016 01:47 PM

Don,

I didn't question the Tech on procedure as they have done this for me before on all of my other HHR's but in this case I was there watching.
They may have wanted to save a little time because it was done as a courtesy and I have been a very good customer over the years. It may have just been this one tech.
Never kept track of which Tech has done which job.

Never had any issue with the ones they have done for me.
The E brake comes out at 2+ clicks and feels perfect.
Never had a rotor turned on any on the 9 although I have not put excessive mileage on any of them.
Each one has been given the 26point GM inspection with 100% results.
That is 9 HHR's as of now.
Also .... It's hard to complain about FREE which I appreciate.
It has been a long and good relationship and they offer a free loaner if you need one.

BTW .. I am not disputing the GM Manual procedure.
Just saying.....

SF


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