On Feb 24, 12:35 pm, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example.net> wrote:
> Mendel Leisk wrote:
> > On Feb 24, 8:19 am, Speedy Pete <speedythetrash.p...@verizon.net>
> > wrote:
> >> It may be underneath the car, since the console is not easy to get at.
>
> >> WHy not take it back to the dealer and have them do it to your preference?
>
> >> -SP
>
> >> Mendel Leisk wrote:
> >>> Hi all, does anyone know where the adjuster is for the parking brake,
> >>> on the 2006 Civic. Our model is the hybrid, with drum brakes in the
> >>> rear.
> >>> The dealer has set it too tight for my taste at a recent brake
> >>> service: now it barely gets to the first click of the lever and it's
> >>> locked. With the back wheels raised and parking brake off, one wheel
> >>> turns freely, but one is scraping a little for about half of the
> >>> revolution, and comes to a stop.
> >>> I suspect our mileage is suffering a bit since that brake service, but
> >>> not sure, we're doing a lot of short trips lately.
> >>> I know a little resistance is not unusual, and that it will loosen up
> >>> in time, from experience with other hondas. I phoned the dealer back
> >>> and they've said bring it in and they'll loosen it, and that it will
> >>> loosen. Also, the mechanic said if I wanted to do it myself, the
> >>> adjuster is "at the back of the drum". I've had a look and that
> >>> doesn't seem to be the case.
> >>> I have a shop manual on order, but in the interm, for my curiosity:
> >>> Anyone know where the adjuster for the parking brake is? In the center
> >>> console? Our old honda's alway's accessed it by taking out the rear
> >>> passenger ashtray, but our new civic hybrid looks to have an
> >>> unimpenatrable center console. Is it in there, and do you have to pull
> >>> the whole dang thing out? Or is it hiding somewhere back at the drum
> >>> itself?
> >>> Any info greatly appreciated!- Hide quoted text -
> >> - Show quoted text -
>
> > I most likely will do nothing, since I concur with the dealer that it
> > will loosen over time. Second most like option is I'll take it back to
> > them. But, I'd like to learn for myself where the adjustment is made.
>
> it won't loosen unless the self-adjusting mechanism is disabled. it's
> also a potential safety issue because it can affect the front/rear
> braking balance causing the rears to apply too early and too hard,
> thereby causing rear wheel lock and spin-out. without abs at any rate.
> get it properly adjusted. dealer is just b.s.ing you because they
> don't want to fix their own mistake on their own dime.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
After having a look at this:
http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16370
I managed to get down to the parking brake adjuster nut. It wasn't too
much of a fight, and I tried as much as possible to use just my
fingers and nails, to avoid scratching things. The (auto) shifter
bezel comes of first, then the larger black plastic surround. Just per
the link. Then, you can see the adjuster nut down alongside the
parking brake lever.No screws involved, just a matter of wiggling the
pieces out of their clips.
I had the back end jacked up and on safety stands before doing any
adjustment to the parking brake adjustment nut. I also pulled both
back wheels and had a look inside the drum brakes. Both star adjusters
out somewhere between 1/16"~1/8". A little dust in both drums, and the
shoes are floating ok, moving side to side.
Put everything back, loosened of the parking brake nut, by about 2
revolutions, and applied and released the parking brake a few times.
Lo and behold, neither back wheel is dragging now, just a hint of
whisper on one side, but truly free spinning.
Pulling the lever up one notch: I can't turn the wheel by hand when
the car's raised, though I suspect it would still creep on a slope.
Pulled up 3 notches it feels fully locked. Will check it out on a
grade.
Nice to know you can get at that adjuster nut still, though it's a bit
more of a hassle.