Parking Brake Problems in Hillsboro, KS
The short answer
A parking brake that will not hold, will not let go or drags usually has a stretched or seized cable, worn rear brakes or a faulty electric motor.
You find out on the boat ramp at Marion Reservoir, or on a sloped drive with a loaded pickup, when you set the brake, take your foot off and feel the truck creep. It is easy to ignore until the day it matters. Bring it in, or we will come and get it.
Call or text (620) 416-0008. Describe the noise. We'll do the rest.
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Parking brake trouble, decoded
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Text us which onesHow we fix a parking brake at Moxie
We figure out which way it is failing. A brake that will not hold and a brake that will not let go are different problems with different fixes, so we check the whole system before recommending anything.
We free it up or replace what has seized. Sometimes a cable can be adjusted, and sometimes rust has won and the cable or rear brake parts need replacing.
We handle electric parking brakes properly. Many need a service mode to retract the pads safely, and we test the motor and switch before replacing either.
Then we test it on a slope. It has to hold, let go cleanly and leave the rear wheels cool after a drive, and you approve every repair first.
Why Hillsboro brings parking brake problems to Moxie
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Warranty good at over 17,000 shops
Brake repairs carry the NAPA nationwide warranty for 24 months or 24,000 miles.
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An ASE-certified technician
Our technician is ASE certified in engine repair, automatic transmissions and drivetrains, and Moxie pays for ASE testing for the whole team.
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Dealer-level diagnostics
Electric parking brakes store faults, and we read them before we name a part.
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We come and get it
Free pickup and delivery within 40 road miles of the shop, if it will not release.
Call or text (620) 416-0008. Describe the noise. We'll do the rest.
Parking brake myths we hear at the counter
Hover or tap a card to flip it.
Sounds like yours? Tell us what it is doing and we will tell you straight.
Can I keep driving?
Yes, if it releases fully. Do not drive it while it drags.
A parking brake that simply will not hold is not a danger while you are driving, but park on level ground and chock a wheel until it is fixed. A parking brake that will not let go is different, because driving with it dragging overheats the rear brakes quickly. If it will not release, leave it and we will come and get it.
Stop driving and call us if
- The parking brake will not release, or a rear wheel smells hot
- The vehicle rolled while parked
- The red brake warning light stays on after you release it
- The main brake pedal feels soft or different
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What goes wrong with parking brakes around here
- Cables that rust and seize inside their housings after wet, salty winters
- Cables that stretch with use, so the brake no longer pulls tight
- Rear brake shoes or pads that have worn thin
- A parking brake that is rarely used and slowly seizes in place
- Water in a cable that freezes on a hard frost and holds the brake on
- An electric parking brake motor, switch or wiring fault on newer vehicles
How we diagnose parking brake problems in Hillsboro
- We ask whether it will not hold, will not release or both, because those point in different directions.
- We test how well it holds and how far the handle or pedal travels.
- We check the cables along their length for rust, fraying and binding.
- We take the rear wheels off and inspect the shoes, pads, drums and rotors.
- On electric parking brakes, we read the fault codes and test the motor and switch.
Parking brake problems across five Kansas counties
We look after drivers across Marion County, Harvey County, McPherson County, Chase County and Lyon County, with free pickup and delivery within 40 road miles of 611 Orchard Dr, Hillsboro.
Parking brake questions we hear every week
Should I set the parking brake when it is freezing?
Usually yes, as long as the parking brake is healthy. A cable that has let water in can freeze and hold the brake on overnight, and if that has happened to you, the cable is starting to fail. Tell us and we will check it before it strands you on a cold morning.
My car is an automatic. Do I really need the parking brake?
It is a good habit. Park holds the car with a small pin inside the transmission, and the parking brake takes that strain off it, especially on a slope or with a trailer. Using it regularly also keeps the cable moving so it does not seize.
Can a parking brake problem affect my main brakes?
It can, because on many vehicles the parking brake uses the same rear brakes, so one that drags wears them out and overheats them. A dragging parking brake can also make the car feel sluggish and use more fuel.