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Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go hereXJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.
I was doing some work on my '98 XJ today and went to put the parking brake on, and the handle would not lock out or stay put very long. It makes the ratcheting/clicking sound, but then pops back down. I removed the center console (thats a pain when the handle won't stay up), and was able to visually see it click on the teeth, but like I said, it would pop off.
I don't know what they're supposed to look like in good/new condition so I couldn't say weather or not it was worn or not. I'm gonna assume it is since it won't stay.
Is the only option completely replacing that handle assembly? Or are there other fixes?
Would new be the best route if full replacement is the only option, or take a chance with junk yard?
Thanks as always!
Last edited by TylerA23; Jun 12, 2018 at 09:42 PM.
I just had this happen on my 98 too. I was not in the car at the time and it happened with my wife so I have no idea exactly what happened. The button popped off. There was a spring underneath the button and I did not see any other parts. I could not figure out how the button was supposed to hold everything in so I ended up ordering a new one ($231). I didn't have the time to get to a junk yard, but if I had time, I'd go that route first. Toor 2 weeks to get the replacement and it went in pretty easily. I used an angle grinder to take the end piece off of the handle pivot to see if I could figure out why the ratchet piece would not stay engaged. Took a lot out of my 4" disc to get the end cut off. I did not see anything obvious that would have broken inside. Seems like there should be a spring inside to keep the ratchet piece engaged but I didn't see a point where a spring would mount. If it's not a spring, then it has to weighted somehow but I didn't see anything that would make the ratchet piece engage.
Is the parking brake cable hooked up, does the parking brake function correctly?
Yea the parking brake cable is hooked up, and there is tension like you'd expect. When I pull the handle/lever up it makes the clicking noise like it should, and will stay for a split second, but then just flies back down and doesn't stay up. Im not sure if the gears / teeth are worn out, or if its another problem.
And ya, if I hold the brake lever up, the parking brake holds and works. But only as long as I hold it.
I spent some more time with it last night. I took the rubber handle grip off, and the bottom went flying, with the spring.
After tinkering, I’m not so sure it’s the gears / teeth at all. With the bottom and spring off the handle stayed locked. I noticed the metal that clicks along the gears doesn’t even touch when it’s fully locked out. The rod in the handle is drawn back into the handle with stiff tension. To let the handle down without the button I simply used a screw driver to lift the rod and gave tension as to pull it forward, and down she went.
Woth the handle down, the rod is loose, and sticking out of the handle , rather than toghtnand recessed like it is when it’s up.
Thinking it may be resolved, I put the rubber grip back on and the button and spring. Nope. Now with it back together it doesn’t work again???
Any brainstorming , outside the box thinking is great appreciate. I can’t quite figure out why it’s wornjng when apart, but not when it’s together.
Rod recessed, and with tension, when locked Rod out, and loose, when down/ not engaged
Update:
After about two weeks Ive finally knocked it out. I went to the local junk yard and pulled a parking brake from another XJ there. The parking brake there came out extremely easy, but getting the cable free of the tension adjuster was a whole other story. I ultimately won, and it came home with me. When it came time to take mine out, it did not go as easily. One of the bolts came out fine, but I ended up breaking the other two off in the floor pan/bottom. I tried several different ways to get them out, no luck. I ended up drilling them out, and later resecuring the brake with two bolts/nuts from home depot. I thought the tension adjuster was a pain at the junk yard, mine was much worse. I ultimately cut the brake line, and bought a new tension adjuster from Morris4x4. I tend to make things much more complicated than they should be, but I'm happy to report the parking brake is fixed.
I wasn't 100 percent sure how much to tighten the new tension adjuster, so i guessed. Once it was all together, I put the Jeep in drive, and pulled up the parking brake. Gave it some gas, and it moved with ease. I parked it, climbed underneath, tightened it down until i felt it was a good time to stop, and repeated. This time the Jeep stayed put when I gave her gas. Would there be any suggestions? or fine tuning to that parking brake? or simply... if it works, it works.
Did you ever try this trick? I don't want to just get a replacement that'll go Tango Uniform in a few years. I started a thread on swapping it with a 96-and-below, but that's gonna be more fab work that I'm not really capable of I think.
Is it easier to pull the handle and make the repairs on the bench? like, epoxy the button on and find a way to secure the rod so it doesn't just get pushed down and jam on the pawl?
i went to the junkyard and pulled a parking brake handle from a wrecked one. Replaced mine with it.
i know this is an old thread. I had a similar issue. I ended up watching youtube video of guy using springs to hold up handle. Tjis gave me idea that sharpening the lever cog that holds the gear detents in place just got dull and was slipping. Sharpened cog and problem solvex. Lever doesnt fall anymore after being tensioned.
New here. Last week, had the button pop out with spring. Brake was stuck on, so i grabbed the rod wth pliers. I pulled a little, unfortunately, and the rod popped out. Brake lever now raises and lowers and functions but won't stay in place without the rod in
. I jb welded the button onto the rod, but now i don't know how to get the rod to stay in. Can the rod be put back in the lever without complete disassembly? I tried raising the handle and inserted the rod to where it appeared in, but then it just pops out when lowered
New here. Last week, had the button pop out with spring. Brake was stuck on, so i grabbed the rod wth pliers. I pulled a little, unfortunately, and the rod popped out. Brake lever now raises and lowers and functions but won't stay in place without the rod in
. I jb welded the button onto the rod, but now i don't know how to get the rod to stay in. Can the rod be put back in the lever without complete disassembly? I tried raising the handle and inserted the rod to where it appeared in, but then it just pops out when lowered
Here is a short video that may help others. I was able to fix mine after removing it
E-Brake handle won't Stay / Lock out
