Challenger Parking Brake and Emergency Brake Adjustment
A loose parking brake is both a safety issue and a common problem on aging Challengers. Here's how to adjust it.
Factory Parking Brake Setup
The Challenger uses a foot-operated parking brake pedal (left of the clutch on manual, lower left on automatics). The parking brake mechanically actuates the rear brake shoes via cables.
Note: The Challenger's rear disc brakes have a small integrated drum brake inside the rear rotors specifically for the parking brake — the service brakes (disc) are separate from the parking brake mechanism.
Symptoms of a Loose or Weak Parking Brake
- The car rolls when parked on a slope with the parking brake engaged
- The parking brake pedal depresses to the floor with minimal resistance
- The parking brake light comes on but the car isn't held firmly
Adjustment Procedure
Access the adjustment:
- Locate the parking brake cable equalizer under the car (behind the transmission tunnel)
- Or adjust at the cable junction under the center console on some years
Self-adjusting system note: Many Challengers have a self-adjusting mechanism — operating the parking brake repeatedly (10–15 cycles from fully engaged to fully released) can restore proper tension.
Manual adjustment:
- Pull the parking brake pedal to a specific number of clicks (typically 6–8 for secure hold)
- If the car rolls, tighten the adjustment nut on the cable equalizer
- If the parking brake pedal is too tight and drags, loosen the adjustment nut
Rear Drum Brake Inspection
The internal parking brake shoes can wear out. Access requires removing the rear rotors:
- Remove the rear wheel
- Remove the brake caliper (unbolt, don't let it hang by the brake line)
- Remove the rotor
- Inspect the small drum brake shoes inside the rotor hat
Replacement shoes are inexpensive ($30–50). Replacement requires a parking brake adjustment tool to set the star wheel adjuster.
When Cables Fail
Parking brake cables rust and seize, especially in salt climates. A seized cable that won't release requires cable replacement — the car will drag the brake if the cable is stuck in the applied position.
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