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Topic: Parking Brake Service / Completed (Read 30 times) previous topic - next topic
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Parking Brake Service / Completed
Yahoo Message Number: 147845
Just purchased our 2006 23.5 TK ("Sneaks" as she is known via Don Anderson) and have been going through her with a fine tooth comb including a complete drivetrain, motor and brake service.

After reading the "Parking Brake" thread last week, I did some homework and uncovered what is required, and how to get it serviced. I also had mine serviced yesterday by the "Express Lanes"(quick service drive up) at our local Ford dealership.

I started with this link which shows the fill plug on the parking brake drum that is connected to the transmission: http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/17217988/print/true.cfm

I had to actually pull my phone out and show the service manager the above article and pictures. Seems as though most Ford service techs don't know that this should be regularly serviced. My guys thought there was a lifetime fluid in the brake reservoir, which is NOT true. They called in their transmission tech from the dealer service department (not an "express guy") to confirm the following:

Yes, there is a separate fluid reservoir for your parking break that holds ATF (auto tranny fluid). There is no drain plug, only the fill plug shown in the above link. It is to be serviced just like a Ford differential would be -- meaning, every 20K miles or so. To check it, remove the fill plug and make sure the ATF is filled to the bottom of the hole line. In my case, when the plug was removed, a few drops of ATF came out of the hole, which was an indication that the reservoir was full. However, the oil that came out was quite dirty for only having 11K miles on our LD. In order to drain the dirty ATF from the reservoir, a siphon unit was used. NOTE: The reservoir only holds about a 1/2 quart of ATF. Once drained, they filled the reservoir back up with new ATF until it began to drip back out of the hole (again, about a 1/2 quart). Replace fill plug screw and you're done. Total cost was about $36.

Note that I spent quite a bit of time with the service techs making sure we were all on the same page. You may need to help facilitate the education with your local people. Kind of strange that this isn't mentioned as part of Ford's scheduled maintenance in the manual. I told my Ford service department they own me a free service, considering I just uncovered a new revenue stream for them ; ). Have fun.

David K.
"Sneaks" 2006 23.5 TK, Bend OR
Re: Parking Brake Service
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147852
Here is a service manual for the parking brake. Good brake down. Does not look like an easy job. The front half is the problem. Hard to say if replacement of shoes would be hard. But if the front bearing half is shoot you are in big problem. You can buy the whole unit in one peace NEW on E-Bay for about $1,100. Still not cheap. There were even remanufactured unit for about $900.
 http://www.autozone.com/autozone/repairguides/Ford-Pick-ups-and-Broncos-1987-1996-Repair-Guide/TRANSMISSION-MOUNTED-PARKING-BRAKE/F-Super-Duty-Model/_/P-0996b43f8038eb0d#top

I found the whole unit on ebay

$300 to $500 for used

About 1100 new
 Sample    BRAND NEW OEM PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY 2004-07 FORD ECONOLINE E-450 #6C2Z-2598-AA

For service install: There was a red tag on the new units that states:  After install ad 4.1 oz of "H" ATF. Fill to bottom of thread. Tork plug to 44 ft lb

The brake shoes are at the BACK. See pic above. They are the old type (2) 1/2 moon shoes. The ATF is in the front and lubes the bearing. From what I can see the ATF has nothing to do with the brake shoes. Only the front coupling.


I got under my MH today. The plug was hard to find. It is above the brake cable housing. I could not find it. I printed out the pic and then it was easy to find. Need to check ATF some time. There is no problem with the E brake holding at this time.