2001 Yukon XL parking brake

[Alan L.]

The parking brake has not worked in years (160K miles). When I had it at Pep Boys for other service I had them check it. They showed me that this vehicle has a crazy design - parking brake shoes on the inside of the rear DISC brakes. The parking brake shoes are worn and had worn a huge amount of metal out of the inside of the rotor.

Because they didn't get my other work done when they promised they offered to replace the rear rotors, disc pads, and the parking brake pads for $250. Regular price $498 with tax, and this includes rotors that are only like $40 each.

I read where this is a terribly poor design and no matter what I do those shoes will wear out again without even using the parking brake! Plus the thought of having that rub all the time thus hurting the gas mileage is not pleasant.

However there is quite a bit of metal gone from the inside of the rotor so I wonder what the chances are of the rotor itself collapsing and causing a wreck????

I also wonder if these $40 Pep Boys rotors are any good at all or should I demand OEM rotors if I have this done, although at a considerably higher price?

Would you guys get this done even though it probably won't last, or just forget it?

 

[timswi]

I had that design on my 01 Tahoe and currently have it on my 04 GMC P/U. Sounds to me like someone may have left the brake on or there was excessive rust buildup inside the e-brake. The pads can slightly wear, but they shouldn't be constantly rubbing...Close but not rubbing.

I'm not a huge fan of this design, but I wouldn't call it terrible. Corvettes have used a similar e-brake for years. With rear disks the options are kinda limited.

If the pad is gone and the metal is wearing on the inside of the rotor, I'd replace them. There is a slight risk of serious brake drag.

Actually those Chinese $40 rotors hold up better than I would have thought. Have had them on my truck for 3 years now. No signs of rust or wear.

$250 is not bad. The pads and rotors are around $120 and the e-brake pads are around $60 or more..Don't remember the exact cost, but I was surprised how expensive they are.

It's not a bad DIY job. Hardest part is cracking the caliper mount bolts loose.

 

[jocww]

Design sucks. But it is a parking break not a emergency brake. IT will wear down if you drive more than 50 ft with it on if I remember.

 

[timswi]

Design sucks. But it is a parking break not a emergency brake. IT will wear down if you drive more than 50 ft with it on if I remember.

I disagree...I don't like the design, but it works. No manufaturer calls the parking brake an emergency brake anymore...Probably lawyers.

There isn't alot of pad on these, but ruining one in 50 ft is a stretch...In fact if it's adjusted correctly, you couldn't move it. My pickup won't budge with the parking brake applied.

 

[RickB]

I disagree...I don't like the design, but it works. No manufaturer calls the parking brake an emergency brake anymore...Probably lawyers.

There isn't alot of pad on these, but ruining one in 50 ft is a stretch...In fact if it's adjusted correctly, you couldn't move it. My pickup won't budge with the parking brake applied.

My thoughts exactly.