Document ID: 933870 Page 1 of 1

| Cavalier, Sunfire (VIN J) Service Manual | Body | Lighting Systems |

2005 Pontiac Sunfire
Schematic and Routing Diagrams | Document ID: 933870

Parking Brake Adjustment

Important: This vehicle utilizes a self-tensioning, or self-adjusting park brake cable system. The
park brake system does not require adjustment under normal operating conditions. The tension on
the park brake cables can be disabled and enabled when necessary during service of the drum
brakes and/or the park brake system.

Caution: Refer to Brake Dust Caution in the Preface section.

1. Apply and fully release the park brake several times. Verify that the park brake lever releases
completely.
2. Turn ON the ignition. Verify the red BRAKE warning lamp is not illuminated.
3. If the red BRAKE warning lamp is illuminated, verify the following:
• The park brake lever is in the fully released position and against the stop.
• There is no slack in the park brake cable.
4. Turn OFF the ignition.
5. Release the tension from the park brake cable system. Refer to Parking Brake Cable Adjuster
Disabling .
6. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
7. Adjust the rear drum brakes. Refer to Drum Brake Adjustment in Drum Brakes.
8. Ensure there is no brake shoe drag after adjustment by rotating the brake drums. If drag
exists, re-center the brake shoes and perform the brake shoe adjustment again.
9. Install 2 wheel nuts to the wheel studs and firmly hand tighten in order to retain the brake
drums.
10. Restore the tension to the park brake cable system. Refer to Parking Brake Cable Adjuster
Enabling .
11. Fully apply and release the park brake lever 4-6 times in order for the cable tensioner to take
up any slack in the park brake cables.
12. Fully apply the park brake lever.
13. Attempt to rotate the rear brake drums. There should be no rotation forward or rearward.
14. If the brake drums can be rotated in either direction, repeat the drum brake adjustment
procedure. Repeat steps 5-13.
15. Fully release the park brake lever.
16. Verify the park brake is released by rotating the rear brake drums. The drums should rotate
freely and exhibit no brake shoe drag.
17. If the drums do not rotate freely, repeat the drum brake adjustment procedure. Repeat steps
5-13.
18. Remove the wheel nuts retaining the brake drums.
19. Install the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in
Tires and Wheels.
20. Lower the vehicle.

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