This 2009 Jeep Wrangler parking brake was not working and wouldn't hold the vehicle on hills. The technician did a parking brake system inspection. They found that both rear parking brake mechanisms were badly rusted and required replacement. The driver's side parking brake assembly was oil-soaked from a drive axle seal leak. The parking brake assembly on both sides and both drive axle seals and bearings needed to be replaced.
Diagnosis
Our Jeep technician confirmed the customer's report that the parking brakes did not hold the vehicle on hills. Inspection required the removal of rear wheels and rear brake rotors to permit a thorough inspection of parking brake shoes and parking brake mechanisms. The inspection required removing the rear wheels and rear brake rotors to permit a thorough inspection of the parking brake shoes, brake hardware, and brake mechanism.
Brake Inspection
What our comprehensive brake inspection includes:
- Test drive for brake operation and operation
- Brake booster operation
- Brake hoses and brake lines visual inspection
- Front brake caliper operation
- Front brake pad measurement
- Front brake rotor condition
- Master cylinder operation
- Parking brake operation
- Rear brake drums or rotors condition
- Rear brake shoes or pads measurement
- Rear brake wheel cylinders or calipers operation
Parking Brake Inspection
Our Jeep brake technician removed the necessary components to gain access to and remove both rear brake rotor/parking brake drum units from the vehicle. Inspect parking brake hardware, park brake mechanisms, and park brake cables.
Technician Findings
Both rear parking brake mechanisms were found to be heavily rusted, completely seized, and not operating.
The passenger-side brake hardware was badly rusted and not working, and the brake backing plates were damaged from a lack of lubrication. The parking brake drums inside the brake rotors were badly rusted and required both rear brake rotors to be replaced.
The driver-side parking brake assembly was completely oil-soaked from an axle seal leak. The brake pads also had oil contamination so new brake pads were installed. This is good value since there is no additional labor to install new rear brake pads with the parking brake repair.
To remove and replace both rear parking brake backing plate assemblies, both rear axles must be removed, and the axle seals on both sides should be replaced at that time.
When the axles were removed, the axle bearings were found to be worn and noisy. They will need replacement very soon and replacing with the parking brake repair will provide significant repair cost savings.
The brake calipers were in good condition and only required minor cleaning and lubrication of slides and mounting pins.
The parking brake cables should be usable but couldn't be properly inspected until the parking brake assemblies were disassembled.
The customer was emailed a detailed inspection report with photos of our findings and a complete brake repair estimate. The customer had a few questions, and we discussed some options to provide the best value for this parking brake repair. They approved our estimate, and we got to work!
Cause
Parking brakes operate under severe conditions. They must endure high levels of moisture, road grit, and rust-generating anti-icing chemicals used on winter roads. As a vehicle ages, these conditions cause significant damage to the rear brake parts. The only way to decrease the damage these conditions cause is to do periodic brake maintenance to inspect, lubricate, and adjust the parking brake system.
Repair
Our Jeep technician removed the necessary components to gain access to and remove both rear axles, removed the parking brake backing plate assemblies and related brake components, and cleaned the oil-soiled area.
The technician inspected the drive axles for wear and found them usable. Next, they installed new axle bearings on the axles, installed the new axle seals, installed the new parking brake backing plate assemblies, installed the axle assemblies, and topped up the differential oil.
Then, they inspected the parking brake cable movement and found them free and serviceable. Next, they attached the parking brake cables to the new brake mechanism and reassembled the brake components removed during repairs with the new brake pads and brake rotors. They then adjusted the parking brake cables. The brake fluid was topped up as needed.
During this job, we replaced two parking brake backing plate assemblies, a disc brake pad set, two rear disc brake rotors, two rear axle seals, and two rear axle bearings.
A road test was performed to verify that the parking brake issue was solved and everything was working correctly. We text messaged the customer and let them know their vehicle repair was complete and ready for pickup.
Best Practice
Brakes need to work 100% when you need them. There are no shortcuts or “good enough” options with brake repair. For that reason, we have a high standard for our brake repair service. We won't do sub-standard brake service. Brake repair must restore the system to the condition designed by the factory when the vehicle was new. Anything less would be a safety concern.
Jeep Wrangler Parking Brake Repair Cost
Brake service cost varies greatly depending on the age and condition of the vehicle, how it is used, the brake maintenance it has received, and any specific brake problems. Rust and corrosion of the parking brake system is also a common problem.
How much does it cost to replace a Jeep Wrangler Parking Brake?
How much does a Jeep Wrangler Parking Brake repair cost?
Jeep Wrangler Parking Brake Repair involves many parts and individual procedures, so the cost of parking brake repair varies greatly. Jeep Wrangler Parking Brake repair can include parking brake shoe replacement, brake rotor replacement, parking brake hardware replacement, parking brake cable replacement, and parking brake light switch replacement.
The national average cost for a Jeep Wrangler Parking Brake Shoe Replacement, including parts, is between $330 and $367.
The national average cost for a Jeep Wrangler Parking Brake cable Replacement, including parts, is between $187 and $214.
The national average cost for a Jeep Wrangler Brake Light Switch Replacement, including parts, is between $65 and $74.
The national average cost for a Jeep Wrangler Parking Brake System Adjust is between $55 and $69.
The price will vary depending on the location of the repair shop within the country, vehicle year, make, model, options, specific problem, and the quality of the replacement parts chosen.
Diagnosis of the problem, related repairs required to complete the repair, shop supplies, environmental and disposal fees, and taxes are not included.
For a more accurate estimate based on your location and particular vehicle, you should contact a local auto repair shop.
Tips
Annual brake maintenance can prevent many Jeep parking brake problems. Cleaning and lubricating parking brake cables can greatly extend their life. Especially if your Jeep is used off-road and on gravel or dirt roads.
Regular use of the parking brake can help keep the mechanism free and working. Especially during the harsh conditions of winter.
FAQ
How do I know if my Jeep parking brake cable is bad?
There are two symptoms of a bad parking brake cable. First, the parking brake will not hold and prevent vehicle movement. This usually indicates that the parking brake cable is broken or stretched. Second, the parking brake drags and resists vehicle movement. This is usually caused by a rusted parking brake cable and the parking brake not fully releasing.
Why is my Jeep parking brake not working?
The most common reason why your parking brake won't engage or disengage is poor adjustment of parking brake shoes. The second most common parking brake problem is a stretched or broken parking brake cable.
What causes Jeep parking brake cables to break?
Rust causes parking brake cables to seize into their housing and rust where the cable is exposed to moisture and road grit. When the parking brake is applied the weakened cable will break.
Can you drive with a broken Jeep parking brake cable?
We do not recommend driving with a broken parking brake cable. Often, the cable breaks because it is rusted into its housing. When the parking brake is applied and breaks, it remains applied due to the seized cable. A parking brake can quickly overheat causing damage to the brake system and axle bearing.