Adjust emergency brake

Most mechanical emergency brakes are adjusted in one or both of two ways. They typically engage only the rear brakes of a vehicle and engage them by means of a cable and levers. The first method of adjustment is the adjustment of the rear brakes themselves, however, if unfamiliar with what the proper setting is, leave them alone and let someone who does know deal with them if necessary (the rear brake adjustment is usually within specifications anyway, and is not usually crucial to the other method of e-brake adjustment). The second method of adjusting the e-brake is found underneath the vehicle. Usually along the driver's side (vehicles with e-brake pedals), or along the center (vehicles with hand brakes), there will be a cable, which connects the pedal/hand lever with the rear brakes. First off, the e- brake should be off and the wheels blocked, then ensure that there are no impediments to the movement of the cable. Anything that will prevent the movement of the cable will impair the function of the e-brake. Now, to adjust the cable, somewhere along it's length, will be a turnbuckle. Some can be turned by hand, others need two wrenches (one to hold the jam-nut and the other to turn the buckle). Desired adjustment is trial and error, tighten the turnbuckle to tighten the e-brake, loosen to ease the e-brake. Make an adjustment to the cable and then enter the vehicle to test it's effect. If the pedal/hand levercan be maxed out, then the cable is not tight enough. Ideally, the pedal/lever should only be able to be engaged to about 80-90% of it's maximum travel when the cable is tensioned properly. This allows for some wearing of the brake shoes over time. Tip: using the emergency brake periodically (at least once per month) will help to keep the rear brake shoes within their proper adjustment.