E-brake not holding
JK Junkie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,318
Likes: 12
From: New Hampshire
is it me?
Thanks. I've done that. I've also rebuilt the brakes and replaced the e-brake pads. Didn't help. I've also modified the e-brake handle with a spring such that the clutch doesn't gum up and not work--so now my handle only pulls up about five clicks. There is something seriously wrong with the Jeep JK e-brake--too many folks are taking their Jeeps to the dealer and leaving with the same problem. So, please, one of you aftermarket manufacturers out there, come out with a fix!
but dont most every time you leave a jeep dealer for troubles it seems you did not get any where more than when you brought it in ?
JK Newbie
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: South Windham, CT
I also had an e-brake problem on my 2011 JKU. The first time the dealer said they couldn't find anything and couldn't adjust it any tighter. The next time they found it had a faulty parking brake lever and replaced it. It's been about 6 months and it's fine.
The JK e-brake is pretty junky
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 338
Likes: 1
From: Huntington Beach, Ca
Pull your e-brake up and release quickly 4 to 5 times. Do it within a few seconds. You will feel the e-brake handle tighten up and it will not go up as far. This will adjust your e-brake and you will feel it grab more. Whenever your emergency brake starts to loosen up again just repeat this step.
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,907
Likes: 185
From: Maine
Pull your e-brake up and release quickly 4 to 5 times. Do it within a few seconds. You will feel the e-brake handle tighten up and it will not go up as far. This will adjust your e-brake and you will feel it grab more. Whenever your emergency brake starts to loosen up again just repeat this step.
It won't help if it's the star wheels in the brake drums that need adjusting, or if there is another problem with the parking brake lever mechanism.
Last edited by ronjenx; Dec 27, 2013 at 07:16 PM.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 0
From: Montreal
Before the winter I did a brake overhaul and thought I'd address the issue that my handbrake wouldn't hold very well. I found two issues why the handbrake wasn't holding like it should. First was that the inner rotor surface (where the e-brake pads makes contact with rotor) was severly rusted and pitted. Secondly, my drivers side e-brake cable wasn't moving freely within the sleeve. I ended up removing both cables from the Jeep and soaking them with penetrating oil and manually sliding the cable in and out until it was free again. After reassembly and a proper adjustment at the wheels, the e-brake held much better but still not as much as I'd like it to hold. I installed new rotors all around along with pads but I really regret not swapping out the e-brake pads just for peace of mind in knowing that maybe that was the issue all along, the pads looked to be in good shape but who knows
JK Freak
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 717
Likes: 0
From: Independence and Lexington, KY (depends on the time of year)
Is there an aftermarket e-brake kit for jks? I think this would be of interest to quite a large crowd, especially those who have a standard…or like to drift 
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
Pull your e-brake up and release quickly 4 to 5 times. Do it within a few seconds. You will feel the e-brake handle tighten up and it will not go up as far. This will adjust your e-brake and you will feel it grab more. Whenever your emergency brake starts to loosen up again just repeat this step.