Parking brake loose

Welcome to 2carpros. Com

This can be caused by a few things, a broken cable, adjustment, worn brakes.

Here is a simple test, specific to your vehicle, for checking adjustment. You will, however, have to raise the rear of the vehicle to check.

______________________

2002 Saturn SC2 L4-1.9L DOHC VIN 7
Park Brake Adjustment Check
PARK BRAKE ADJUSTMENT CHECK

CAUTION: MAKE SURE VEHICLE IS PROPERLY SUPPORTED AND SQUARELY POSITIONED ON HOIST. TO HELP AVOID PERSONAL INJURY, PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO THE OPPOSITE END OF THE VEHICLE THAT COMPONENTS WILL BE REMOVED FROM.

NOTICE: On new vehicles (less than 50 miles) and on vehicles which have just had the rear brake serviced, before performing Park Brake Adjustment procedures, apply and release the brake pedal 20 times. This allows the adjuster to position the brake linings and prevents premature wear of the brake linings due to improper park brake adjustment.

1. Raise vehicle on hoist.
2. There should be no drag at rear wheels with park brake lever in rest position.
3. Pull park brake lever to fourth click. There should be heavy brake drag to no rotation at both rear wheels when turned by hand.

IMPORTANT: If both rear wheels do not exhibit similar drag in step 3, check for damaged or incorrectly installed drum brake assembly installation of drum assembly components, park brake cables, and/or park brake lever assembly. The park brake is adjusted correctly if it meets the specifications explained in steps 2 and 3.
4. Adjust if necessary.

_________________________

Here are the directions for adjusting the parking brake. It is really simple to do. The attached two pics correlate with the directions.

2002 Saturn SC2 L4-1.9L DOHC VIN 7
Park Brake Adjustment
Vehicle Brakes and Traction Control Parking Brake System Adjustments Park Brake PARK BRAKE ADJUSTMENT

NOTICE: On new vehicles (less than 50 miles) and on vehicles with rear drum brakes that have been serviced, before performing Park Brake Adjustment procedures, apply and release the brake pedal 20 times. This allows the adjuster to position the brake shoes and prevents premature wear of the brake linings due to improper park brake adjustment.

1. Lift park brake lever.

Pic 1

2. Remove screw on right-hand side of park brake cover. Remove cover by sliding forward.

CAUTION: MAKE SURE VEHICLE IS PROPERLY SUPPORTED AND SQUARELY POSITIONED ON HOIST. TO HELP AVOID PERSONAL INJURY, PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO THE OPPOSITE END OF THE VEHICLE THAT COMPONENTS WILL BE REMOVED.

3. Raise vehicle on hoist.
4. Pull park brake lever to first click.

Pic 2

5. Tighten adjuster nut until moderate drag is felt at both rear wheels when turned by hand

NOTICE: After installation of any new park brake system component(s), the park brake system must be set prior to performing final park brake adjustment. To set park brake system after performing initial adjustment, pull up on park brake lever three or four times with approximately 445 N (100 lbs.) Of force. It will require approximately 445 N (100 lbs.) Of force to reach the twelfth or thirteenth click position after initial adjustment.

6. Apply and release park brake several times. There should be no drag when park brake lever is in the rest position.
7. Pull park brake lever to first click. There should be moderate drag at both rear wheels when turned by hand.
8. If necessary, repeat steps 5 through 7 until adjustment is correct.

NOTICE: Do not overtighten screw or it may pull through cover.

IMPORTANT: If both rear wheels do not exhibit similar drag in steps 5 through 7 check for damaged or incorrectly installed drum brake assembly components, park brake cables, and/or park brake lever assembly. Correct as necessary; return to step 5 of this procedure.

9. Install park brake cover. Secure with screw on right hand-side of cover.

___________________________________

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions. Also, while you are doing the work, make sure there are no cables hanging or broken under the vehicle.

Take care,
Joe