Hopefully this isn't a dumb question....On the maintenance schedule for 02' trucks I always see Adjust Rear Brakes for normal maintenance.....What exactly is supposed to be adjusted on the rear brakes?....I've noticed a bit of squeeling when applying the brakes lightly, but i've checked all the pads & they still have plenty on life on them.....

 

Well being as you have rear discs, you don't have to adjust anything! As long as your caliper sliders are good and freed up, calipers themselves aren't hanging up, good pad and rotor life left, there isn't anything you can do. They must have just printed off the same brake section throughout all 2nd gens maybe, lol.

 

Probably the emergency brake tension, which is done like adjusting drums by the starwheels.

I do mine once a year. If you don't have a habit of applying the e-brake while still in motion they don't wear much.

When I got my truck @ 50K miles, the e-brake wouldn't hold it on the slightest incline and the starwheels wouldn't budge so I disassembled everything and lubed them with anti-sieze. No problems since.

 

thanks for the information....i'm not sure why they have it listed either....did the 2wd models not have 4 wheel disc brakes?

i do use my emergency brake very often... when i park i always like to set it when the truck's in neutral since i have an automatic.....not sure if it will save any wear & tear on the transmission or not...figure it can't hurt.....if the emergency brake is still holding well do i still need to look into doing any adjustment on it? is it only if it's not holding well on an incline?

 

Imo using park is a good idea. Basically inside the transmission there is a little lever that locks down on the outside of a clutch basket. Does NO wear to the duty parts of the transmission. The only times I have heard of them breaking is when a vehicle got rear ended while parked. Setting the parking brake prevents it binding up on hills, but if it's set and your brake slips it'll prevent a roll away. :O

If it holds to your satisfaction, I'd leave it alone. But thats just me. I'm a bit of a redneck.

 

well, i guess i should have worder that a bit differently....i definitely always use park.....

when i'm on an incline i like to set the parking brake with the truck in neutral....after i feel the truck put all its' weight on the parking brake then i put it in park....i figure it's cheaper to replace a parking brake than a transmission.....

 

I do the same with automatics. I set the brake in 'N', then put it in park. Its easier to get back in gear afterward also.

A gob of waterproof grease on the caliper sliders never hurts at each tire rotation/10K miles. Other than that I don't mess with them unless my e-brake pedal is getting soft.