Park Brake System Functional Test for Oldsmobile Cutlass 1998

Inspect the park brake system generation of sufficient tension by performing the following steps:

1. Inspect the drum brake clearance and reset the clearance if required. Refer to Drum Brake Adjustment in Drum Brakes.
2. Fully apply and release the foot park brake lever 4 times.
3. Apply the lever to the 2 click position.
4. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
5. Inspect the park brake cable tension by attempting to turn the right rear wheel with both hands. The wheel should rotate backward, not forward.
6. If the wheel rotates forward, readjust the rear shoe to the drum clearance until you hear a light shoe to drum contact.
7. Release the park brake and inspect for rear brake drag. The rear wheels should turn freely (you may hear some light shoe to drum contact).

The wire strands on the park brake cables are coated with a plastic material which slides against nylon seals inside the conduit end fittings. This is for corrosion protection and reduced parking brake effort.

Important: The plastic coated parking brake cables do not need periodic lubrication.

Handling of these cables during servicing of the parking brake system requires extra care. Damage to the plastic coating reduces corrosion protection. If the damaged area passes through the seal, increased park brake effort could result. Avoid contacting the coating with sharp-edged tools, or with the sharp surfaces of the vehicle underbody.