OEM 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser Parking Brake Cable

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser Parking Brake Cable Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Maintain and Fix a Parking Brake Cable on 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser?

  A: Before fixing or repairing the parking brake cable, remove the air cleaner cover and relocate it and take out the negative battery cable. After you release the parking brake, block the tires and take the transmission shift knob out if it's possible to do so. To remove the center console, take out the screws and pull the parking brake lever's output cable until you can poke a pin punch through the lever to make the cables loose. After removing the rear parking brake cables from the equalizer, pull the seat cushion away and push the carpeting forward to reach the cables. Collapse the retainer holding the cable by turning a 1/2 inch wrench and then pull the cable housing out of the bracket. Raise your car and take away the rear tire and wheel assembly. For brakes using drums in the back, take out the brake drum; and for brakes using discs in the back, remove the caliper and rotor. Lift off the dust cap, remove the retaining nut and take off the hub and bearing together. For vehicles with a rear drum brake system, pull out the parking brake cable from its actuating lever and support plate; on rear disc brake cars, get rid of the cable that goes into the adapter. Take out the fixtures attaching the cable brackets to the trailing arm, then pull the cable through the same arm. Guide the new cable from the floor down into the car and make certain the sealing grommet is well fitted along the way. Fix the cable routing brackets with fasteners and tighten them to 11 Nm (100 inch lbs.). With the brake support plate or brake adapter, take the locking latch and place the cable into it with the fingers open. For vehicles with drum brakes, position the cable on the actuating lever and install the actuating spring; for disc brakes, fit the parking brake lever to the shoes and the small springs underneath. Put in a new retaining nut, screwing the hub-bearing assembly until 217 Nm (160 ft. lbs.) is reached and then attach the dust cap. Hook up the brake drum or rotor and caliper and tighten the caliper guide pin bolts using 22 Nm (192 inch lbs.). Mount the wheel and tire it again, applying 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.) to the wheel nuts, before lowering the car. Make sure the grommet fits right, position the cable underneath the carpeting to the bracket area and secure it there. Secure the parking brake cables to the equalizer, making sure the alignment is correct. Take the pin punch out of the parking brake lever to make the system stop adjusting automatically, cycle the lever so the cables settle into their right place, then test that the rear wheels can spin smoothly. After that, attach the center console, apply the parking brake, take out the tire blocks, attach the negative terminal on the battery and fit the air cleaner cover.