Parking brake very poor

[Stevellew]

ML270 Very poor parking brake it feels like it is adjusted ok as there is plenty of pressure when applying the parking brake but it just does not hold is it new shoes I need and how hard is it to change the parking brakes thanks steve

 

[renault12ts]

I doubt the foot pressure will tell you the adjustment is ok.

So, first thing is to have the shoes adjusted...and if that doesn't work new shoes may be needed.

However, I would check the mechanism on each side...if seized they will be very poor. One side of my car was seized.

Changing shoes is tricky if you haven't done it before.

 

[Stevellew]

I've changed plenty of brake shoes on drum brakes apart from having to take the calliper off and the disk of is there much difference, as You said the linkage seizes up sometimes so I'm thinking my first thing to do is strip them down free and grease any moving parts and generally a good clean and replace pads if necessary.
So it's a regular occurrence is it parking brake linkage seizing up.

 

[renault12ts]

No, it's just as it would be on drum brakes.

Seizing links in the hub is not uncommon.

On the other hand try adjusting each side first.

 

[Stevellew]

Where do I adjust them by ?

 

[MancMike]

When you remove the rear disc, there's an adjuster with a star wheel which you can adjust with a flat blade screwdriver.

When doing mine, I adjusted them out bit by bit until the disc/drum wouldn't fit over them, then backed off quarter turn. It was then a snug fit without rubbing.

The pedal feel doesn't really change, but it's much grabbier now. I'd actually trust it on a hill now with about 4 clicks. Before I wouldn't have trusted it at about 7 clicks (as far as my stringy legs can push it).

 

[Stevellew]

Cheers thanks for that if it's nice on the weekend that's my next job as it's almost non existent at the moment.