Parking brake actuator adjustment

For a preliminary check of the correct adjustment of the parking brake drive, lift the drive lever up to the stop - you should hear about 5-7 clicks of the ratchet device. If the number of clicks does not fit within the specified interval or the vehicle is not held by the parking brake (cm. «Checking the parking brake»), adjust the drive. The adjusting unit for the parking brake drive is located in the passenger compartment under the lining of the floor tunnel. The brake mechanisms of the rear wheels of the Ford Focus II, depending on the configuration, can be drum or disc type. In both cases, the cable drive acts on the expansion levers that press the brake pads against the drums or discs. The principle of adjusting the parking brake drive is the same in both cases, only the methods of control differ.

You will need: socket head «at 13», flat blade screwdriver.



1. Pry off the edge of the frame of the parking brake lever cover with a screwdriver..



2.... disconnect the frame from the lining of the floor tunnel, overcoming the elastic resistance of its latches, and move the cover up the lever.

NOTE: Driver's seat removed for clarity. The seat does not need to be removed to gain access to the boot mounts and the parking brake adjuster assembly.

3. Check the correct adjustment of the gaps between the brake shoes and the rear wheel brake drums (if the vehicle is equipped with rear wheel drum brakes). To do this, firmly press the brake pedal several times with the parking brake lever lowered all the way down. If the gaps are greater than normal, in the brake mechanisms, each time you press the pedal, clicks of the actuating mechanisms for adjusting the gaps will be heard. The cessation of clicks means the end of the adjustment.

4. Hang the rear of the car and place it on secure supports.

5. Remove the brake drums (cm. «Removal and installation of a brake drum»), if the vehicle is equipped with rear wheel drum brakes.



6. Loosen the locknut on the front parking brake cable end…



7. …and completely unscrew the locknut from the tip.




8. Lower the drive lever all the way down and unscrew the adjusting nut to the very end of the threaded lug of the front cable.





Pic. 9.6. The control gap of the parking brake drive of a car equipped with disc brakes of the rear wheels: a - the control gap between the expanding lever and the support of the caliper; 1 - expanding lever; 2 – a support of a support of the back brake mechanism


9. Insert a 2.0 mm feeler gauge between the end stops of the spreader arms and the rear brake shoes of both rear wheel drum brakes, or insert a 0.7 mm feeler gauge into gaps a (pic. 9.6) between the expanding levers 1 and the supports 2 of the disc brake calipers.

10. Turn the adjusting nut clockwise onto the threaded end of the front cable until either of the expander arms begins to move.

NOTE: Use an assistant to supervise the movement of the levers.

11. Take probes from brake mechanisms.

12. Install the brake drums (if the vehicle is equipped with rear wheel drum brakes) and wheels.

13. Check up ease of rotation of wheels. If the wheels spin with braking, re-adjust the parking brake. If even repeated adjustment fails to achieve the desired result, check the condition of the brake pads of the brake mechanisms of the rear wheels, brake drums, discs and drive cables. Replace defective parts (see relevant subsections) and adjust the parking brake actuator as described above.

14. Put the car on wheels.

15. Install and tighten the front cable lug locknut.

16. Establish a cover of the lever of a drive of a lay brake in an order, the return to removal.

USEFUL ADVICE: In the absence of a feeler gauge or the technical possibility of removing the brake drums (if the car has drum brakes on the rear wheels) allow a simplified version of the adjustment of the parking brake system.

1. Perform the operations described above in paragraphs. 1–4.

2. Turn the adjusting nut clockwise onto the threaded lug of the front cable, periodically checking the rear wheels for ease of rotation. Screw the adjusting nut onto the end of the cable until you feel a noticeable resistance to its rotation.

3. Turn away an adjusting nut before the moment of full liberation of back wheels.

4. Place the vehicle on wheels, apply the parking brake, place the transmission control lever in neutral and try to manually roll the vehicle. If this succeeds, the drive is not adjusted correctly or is defective. In this case, repeat the adjustment, making it more carefully. If repeated adjustment does not lead to the desired result, see paragraph 10 above.