How to Adjust a Parking Brake on a PT Cruiser

The emergency brake shoes on the Chrysler PT Cruiser are located in the middle of the rear disc brake rotors. They just need to be accessed from there to adjust the parking brake, which means you'll need to jack up the Cruiser. While you are adjusting the emergency brake shoes, you should also clean them to ensure that the emergency brake functions properly. Road grime can build up inside, causing the parking brake to fail.

Put wheel chocks in front of and behind the front wheels of the Cruiser.

Lift up the rear of the Cruiser with a jack and lower it onto two jack stands.

Loosen the lug nuts on the rear wheels with a lug wrench. Remove the lug nuts and the wheels.

Pull the brake caliper piston by holding onto the caliper from the inside and carefully pulling it out. Remove both of the caliper pin bolts. Remove the caliper by twisting the top part first, then lifting up on the bottom.

Hold the caliper up using a bungee cord attached to the rear strut.

Remove the wheel stud clips and throw away. Remove the rotor from the hub.

Repeat steps 4 through 6 for the other side.

Position a pan under the brake assembly. Spray the brake shoes and the area with brake cleaner. Wipe off with a clean rag. Repeat for the other wheel.

Put the wheels back on and tighten the lug nuts with a lug wrench.

Take off the rubber plugs from the backing plates. Put a screwdriver into one side and rotate the toothed wheel downward. Spin the closest wheel. There should be a slight drag. Turn the toothed wheel upward and keep spinning the wheel until you feel no drag at all. Repeat for the other side.

Raise the car with the jack. Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle to the ground. Remove the wheel chocks. Tighten the lug nuts all the way with a lug wrench.