OEM 2002 Dodge Stratus Parking Brake Cable

2002 Dodge Stratus Parking Brake Cable Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Maintain Your Parking Brake Cable for Optimal Performance on 2002 Dodge Stratus?

  A: Removing the center floor console and pulling down the park brake lever handle are the first steps in servicing either rear parking brake cable. Relieve tension from the park brake cable by turning the adjusting nut until it comes loose, then take the brake cables out of the tension equalizer for the rear. Then, ease off the rear seat cushion, remove the scuff plates from the door sills and roll forward the carpet in the rear to view the park brake cables. With a 1/2 inch wrench, squeeze the park brake cable retainer tabs to let the cable out of the console bracket, then pull the cable up from under the carpet. First, lift the car and remove the tire and wheel from the side that needs service and next come out the parking brake shoes. Press down on the locking tabs of the cable retainer with a 1/2 inch wrench to release the cable from the shoe actuating lever and rear brake adapter. Open the two clips that hold the brake cable on the frame with a flat-head screwdriver, then take the park brake cable and sealing grommet from the floor pan. As you fit the new parking brake cable, place it into the floor pan and sit the sealing grommet in place. Attach the cable to the rear brake adapter, but only after you have expanded the locking tabs on the retainer. Secure the appropriate routing clips to the back of the frame rail and screw them in place. Start by fitting the cable to the shoe actuator, after which install the parking brake shoes, hub and bearing, rotor and the caliper. Place the rear wheel and tire assembly back in position and screw in the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern to the recommended one-half torque; then, use a torque wrench to tighten them all to a full 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.). Secure the vehicle so the seal grommet reaches all the way to the floor pan and lies flat against it. Rout the cable under the floor carpet to the bracket at the console, then make sure to fully expand the retainer tabs and attach it there. Remove and discard the segment retaining clip and tension equalizer and attach new ones when you do the installation. Remove the old tension equalizer and check your park brake lever output cable for the cable retainer as well. Once found, loosen the cable and, afterward, install the new parts on the lever and secure the cable retainer with a good latch. Set the cable tension by placing the parking brake lever all the way forward, turning the adjusting nut until the cable has 26 mm of exposed thread and after actuating the lever once, release it again. Feel that the lever responsibly locks the back wheels and checks that the park brake is stiff, with the distance between the two fixed points never exceeding 15 clicks. Then, replace the center floor console, rear carpeting, both rear door sill plate moldings and the lower rear seat cushion.