Buick Encore: Repair instructions

Parking brake lever replacement (disc brake)

Removal Procedure

1. Remove the front floor console. Refer to Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) , Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) .
2. Ensure that the parking brake lever is in the fully released position.
3. Disconnect the electrical connector from the parking brake indicator switch.

Fig. 2: Parking Brake Cable Adjusting Nut

4. Using ONLY HAND TOOLS, remove the adjusting nut (1) from the front cable threaded rod.

Fig. 3: Parking Brake Lever Mounting Nuts

5. Remove the parking brake lever mounting nuts (1).
6. While removing the front cable threaded rod from the parking brake lever assembly, remove the parking brake lever assembly from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure

1. While installing the front cable threaded rod to the parking brake lever assembly, install the parking brake lever assembly to the vehicle.

Fig. 4: Parking Brake Lever Mounting Nut

CAUTION: Refer to Fastener Caution .

2. Install the parking brake lever mounting nuts (1) and tighten to 22 N.m (16 lb ft).
3. Connect the electrical connector to the parking brake indicator switch.

Fig. 5: Parking Brake Cable Adjusting Nut

4. Loosely install the adjusting nut (1) to front cable threaded rod.
5. Adjust the parking brake cable tension. Refer to Parking Brake Adjustment (Disc Brake).
6. Install the front floor console. Refer to Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) , Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) .

Parking brake lever replacement (drum brake)

Removal Procedure

1. Remove the front floor console. Refer to Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) , Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) .
2. Ensure that the parking brake lever is in the fully released position.
3. Disconnect the electrical connector from the parking brake warning lamp switch.

Fig. 6: Parking Brake Cable Adjusting Nut

4. Using ONLY HAND TOOLS, remove the adjusting nut (1) from the front cable threaded rod.

Fig. 7: Parking Brake Lever Mounting Nut

5. Remove the parking brake lever mounting nuts (1).
6. While removing the front cable threaded rod from the parking brake lever assembly, remove the parking brake lever assembly from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure

1. While installing the front cable threaded rod to the parking brake lever assembly, install the parking brake lever assembly to the vehicle.

Fig. 8: Parking Brake Lever Mounting Nut

CAUTION: Refer to Fastener Caution .

2. Install the parking brake lever mounting nuts (1) and tighten to 22 N.m (16 lb ft).
3. Connect the electrical connector to the parking brake warning lamp switch.

Fig. 9: Parking Brake Cable Adjusting Nut

4. Loosely install the adjusting nut (1) to front cable threaded rod.
5. Adjust the parking brake. Refer to Parking Brake Adjustment (Drum Brake).
6. Install the front floor console. Refer to Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) , Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) .

PARKING BRAKE INDICATOR SWITCH REPLACEMENT

Removal Procedure

1. Remove the front floor console assembly. Refer to Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) , Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) .
2. Ensure that the park brake lever is in the fully released position.
3. Disconnect the electrical connector from the parking brake indicator switch.

Fig. 10: Parking Brake Indicator Switch Bolt

4. Remove the parking brake indicator switch bolt (1).

Fig. 11: Parking Brake Indicator Switch

5. Remove the parking brake indicator switch (1).

Installation Procedure

Fig. 12: Parking Brake Indicator Switch

1. Install the parking brake indicator switch (1).

Fig. 13: Parking Brake Indicator Switch Bolt

CAUTION: Refer to Fastener Caution .

2. Install the parking brake indicator switch bolt (1) and tighten to 2 N.m (18 lb in).
3. Connect the electrical connector to the parking brake indicator switch.
4. Install the front floor console assembly. Refer to Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) , Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) .

Parking brake cable replacement

Removal Procedure

WARNING: Refer to Brake Dust Warning .

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
3. Remove the brake shoes. Refer to Brake Shoe Replacement .

Fig. 14: Parking Brake Rear Cable And Cable Connector

NOTE: Pull the parking brake rear cable forward to remove the cable from the parking brake cable connector.

4. Disconnect the parking brake cable from the parking brake rear cable connector (1).

Fig. 15: Parking Brake Rear Cable

5. Compress the parking brake rear cable locking tabs and remove the parking brake rear cable (1) from the rear brake backing plate.

Installation Procedure

Fig. 16: Parking Brake Rear Cable

NOTE: Ensure the locking tabs on the parking brake rear cable are fully engaged to the rear brake backing plate.

1. Install the parking brake rear cable (1) to the rear brake backing plate.
2. Ensure the parking brake rear cable locking tabs are fully engaged in the rear brake backing plate.

Fig. 17: Parking Brake Rear Cable And Cable Connector

NOTE: Pull the parking brake rear cable forward to install the cable to the parking brake cable connector.

3. Connect the parking brake cable to the parking brake rear cable connector (1).
4. Install the brake shoes. Refer to Brake Shoe Replacement .
5. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .

Parking brake front cable replacement

Removal Procedure

1. Remove the front floor console. Refer to Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) , Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) .
2. Ensure that the park brake lever is in the fully released position.
3. Disconnect the electrical connector from the parking brake indicator switch.

Fig. 18: Parking Brake Front Cable Adjuster Nut

4. Using ONLY HAND TOOLS, remove the adjusting nut (1) from the parking brake front cable threaded rod.

Fig. 19: Front Cable Tube Spacer

5. Remove the parking brake front cable tube spacer washer (1).

Fig. 20: Front Parking Brake Cable

6. Disconnect the front parking brake cable from the rear parking brake cable equalizer.
7. Remove the front parking brake cable (1) from the parking brake lever.

Installation Procedure

Fig. 21: Front Parking Brake Cable

1. Install the front parking brake cable (1) to the parking brake lever.
2. Connect the front parking brake cable to the rear parking brake cable equalizer.

Fig. 22: Front Cable Tube Spacer

3. Install the parking brake front cable tube spacer washer (1).

Fig. 23: Parking Brake Front Cable Adjuster Nut

CAUTION: Refer to Fastener Caution .

4. Loosely install the adjusting nut (1) to front cable threaded rod.
5. Adjust the parking brake cable tension. Refer to Parking Brake Adjustment (Disc Brake), Parking Brake Adjustment (Drum Brake).
6. Install the front floor console. Refer to Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) , Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) .

Parking brake rear cable replacement (disc brake) - Removal Procedure

Removal Procedure

1. Remove the front floor console. Refer to Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) , Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) .
2. Ensure that the parking brake lever is in the fully released position.

Fig. 24: Front Cable Threaded Rod Nut

3. Using ONLY HAND TOOLS, loosen the adjusting nut (1) to the end of the front park brake cable threaded rod.
4. Remove the rear seat cushion. Refer to Rear Seat Cushion Removal and Installation .
5. Position the rear floor carpet forward to access the parking brake cable pass through grommets.

Fig. 25: Parking Brake Cable Components

6. Release the parking brake cable pass through grommets (1).
7. Release the parking brake cable routing clips (2).
8. Release the parking brake cable collars (3) from the floor tunnel bracket.
9. Disconnect the park brake lever cable from the equalizer (4).
10. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .

Fig. 26: Left Parking Brake Cable Bracket Bolt

11. Remove the front left parking brake cable bracket bolt (1).

Fig. 27: Rear Left Parking Brake Cable Bracket Bolt

12. Remove the rear left parking brake cable bracket bolt (1).

Fig. 28: Parking Brake Cable Retainer

13. Remove the parking brake cable retainer (1).

Fig. 29: Left Parking Brake Cable

14. Disconnect the left parking brake cable (1) from the parking brake actuator lever.

Fig. 30: Front Right Parking Brake Cable Bracket Nut

15. Remove the front right parking brake cable bracket nut (1).

Fig. 31: Cable Bracket Bolt

16. Remove the rear right parking brake cable bracket bolt (1).

Fig. 32: Parking Brake Cable Retainer

17. Remove the parking brake cable retainer (1).

Fig. 33: Right Parking Brake Cable

18. Disconnect the right parking brake cable (1) from the parking brake actuator lever.
19. Feed the parking brake cable through the vehicle body.
20. Lower the vehicle and remove the parking brake cable and equalizer assembly from inside the vehicle.

Parking brake rear cable replacement (disc brake) - Installation Procedure

Installation Procedure

1. From inside the vehicle, feed the parking brake cable ends through the vehicle body.

Fig. 34: Parking Brake Cable Components

2. Install the parking brake cable pass through grommets (1).
3. Install the parking brake cable routing clips (2).
4. Install the parking brake cable collars (3) to the floor tunnel bracket.
5. Connect the park brake lever cable to the park brake cable equalizer (4).
6. Reposition the rear floor carpet.
7. Install the rear seat cushion. Refer to Rear Seat Cushion Removal and Installation .
8. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .

Fig. 35: Right Parking Brake Cable

9. Connect the right parking brake cable (1) to the parking brake actuator lever.

Fig. 36: Parking Brake Cable Retainer

10. Install the parking brake cable retainer (1).

Fig. 37: Cable Bracket Bolt

CAUTION: Refer to Fastener Caution .

11. Install the rear right parking brake cable bracket bolt (1) and tighten to 22 (16 lb ft).

Fig. 38: Front Right Parking Brake Cable Bracket Nut

12. Install the front right parking brake cable bracket nut (1) and tighten to 22 (16 lb ft).

Fig. 39: Left Parking Brake Cable

13. Connect the left parking brake cable (1) to the parking brake actuator lever.

Fig. 40: Parking Brake Cable Retainer

14. Install the parking brake cable retainer (1).

Fig. 41: Rear Left Parking Brake Cable Bracket Bolt

15. Install the rear left parking brake cable bracket bolt (1) and tighten to 22 (16 lb ft).

Fig. 42: Left Parking Brake Cable Bracket Bolt

16. Install the front left parking brake cable bracket bolt (1) and tighten to 22 (16 lb ft).
17. Lower the vehicle.

Fig. 43: Front Cable Threaded Rod Nut

18. Using ONLY HAND TOOLS, loosely install the adjusting nut (1) to the front park brake cable threaded rod.
19. Adjust the parking brake. Refer to Parking Brake Adjustment (Disc Brake).
20. Install the front floor console. Refer to Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) , Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) .

Parking brake rear cable replacement (drum brake)

Removal Procedure

1. Remove the front floor console. Refer to Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) , Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) .
2. Ensure that the parking brake lever is in the fully released position.

Fig. 44: Parking Brake Cable Adjusting Nut

3. Using ONLY HAND TOOLS, loosen the adjusting nut (1) to the end of the front park brake cable threaded rod.
4. Remove the rear seat cushion. Refer to Rear Seat Cushion Removal and Installation .
5. Position the rear floor carpet forward to access the parking brake cable pass through grommets.

Fig. 45: Parking Brake Cable Components

6. Release the parking brake cable pass through grommets (1).
7. Release the parking brake cable routing clips (2).
8. Release the parking brake cable collars (3) from the floor tunnel bracket.
9. Disconnect the park brake lever cable from the equalizer (4).
10. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .

Fig. 46: Left Parking Brake Cable Bracket Bolt

11. Remove the front left parking brake cable bracket bolt (1).

Fig. 47: Left Rear Parking Brake Cable Bracket Bolts

12. Remove the rear left parking brake cable bracket bolts (1).
13. Disconnect the left parking brake cable connector.

Fig. 48: Front Right Parking Brake Cable Bracket Nut

14. Remove the front right parking brake cable bracket nut (1).

Fig. 49: Right Rear Parking Brake Cable Bracket Bolts

15. Remove the rear right parking brake cable bracket bolts (1).
16. Disconnect the right parking brake cable connector.
17. Feed the parking brake cable through the vehicle body.
18. Lower the vehicle and remove the parking brake cable and equalizer assembly from inside the vehicle.

Installation Procedure

1. From inside the vehicle, feed the parking brake cable ends through the vehicle body.

Fig. 50: Parking Brake Cable Components

2. Install the parking brake cable pass through grommets (1).
3. Install the parking brake cable routing clips (2).
4. Install the parking brake cable collars (3) to the floor tunnel bracket.
5. Connect the park brake lever cable to the park brake cable equalizer (4).
6. Reposition the rear floor carpet.
7. Install the rear seat cushion. Refer to Rear Seat Cushion Removal and Installation .
8. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .

Fig. 51: Right Rear Parking Brake Cable Bracket Bolts

CAUTION: Refer to Fastener Caution .

9. Install the rear right parking brake cable bracket bolts (1) and tighten to 22 (16 lb ft).
10. Connect the right parking brake cable connector.

Fig. 52: Front Right Parking Brake Cable Bracket Nut

11. Install the front right parking brake cable bracket nut (1) and tighten to 22 (16 lb ft).

Fig. 53: Left Rear Parking Brake Cable Bracket Bolts

12. Install the rear left parking brake cable bracket bolts (1) and tighten to 22 (16 lb ft).
13. Connect the left parking brake cable connector.

Fig. 54: Left Parking Brake Cable Bracket Bolt

14. Install the front left parking brake cable bracket bolt (1) and tighten to 22 (16 lb ft).
15. Lower the vehicle.

Fig. 55: Parking Brake Cable Adjusting Nut

16. Using ONLY HAND TOOLS, loosely install the adjusting nut (1) to the front park brake cable threaded rod.
17. Adjust the parking brake. Refer to Parking Brake Adjustment (Drum Brake).
18. Install the front floor console. Refer to Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) , Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) .

Parking brake adjustment (disc brake)

NOTE: The park brake cable adjusting nut is a nylon lock type. Use ONLY HAND TOOLS whenever tightening or loosening the adjusting nut.

1. Apply and fully release the park brake several times. Verify that the park brake lever releases completely.
2. Turn ON the ignition. Verify the red BRAKE warning lamp is not illuminated.
3. If the red BRAKE warning lamp is illuminated, verify the following:

• The park brake lever is in the fully released position and against the stop.
• There is no slack in the park brake cables.

4. If the red BRAKE warning lamp remained illuminated and there were no other visible causes, refer to Symptoms - Hydraulic Brakes .
5. Turn OFF the ignition.
6. Apply the brake pedal 3 times.
7. Remove the front floor console. Refer to Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) , Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) .

Fig. 56: Parking Brake Cable Adjusting Nut

8. With the park brake lever in the released position, loosen the adjusting nut (1) enough to completely relieve tension on the front cable.
9. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .

CAUTION: Refer to Fastener Caution .

10. Tighten the park brake cable adjusting nut (1) until the threaded portion of the front park brake cable extends beyond the adjusting nut approximately 20 mm (0.79 in).
11. Apply the park brake lever.
12. Attempt to rotate the rear wheels. There should be no rotation forward or rearward.
13. Fully release the park brake lever.
14. Verify the park brake is released by rotating the rear wheels. The wheels should rotate freely and exhibit no brake drag.
15. If the wheels do not rotate freely, repeat the park brake cable adjustment procedure.
16. Raise the park brake lever 3 detent positions and attempt to rotate the rear wheels:

• One of the wheels should not rotate forward or rearward.
• The other wheel should not rotate forward or rearward, or should require substantial effort to rotate.

17. Raise the park brake lever 1 additional detent position and attempt to rotate the rear wheels.
18. Verify that the left and right wheels cannot be rotated.
19. Lower the vehicle.
20. Install the front floor console. Refer to Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) , Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) .
21. Release the park brake lever.

Parking brake adjustment (drum brake)

NOTE: The park brake cable adjusting nut is a nylon lock type. Use ONLY HAND TOOLS whenever tightening or loosening the adjusting nut.

1. Apply and fully release the park brake several times. Verify that the park brake lever releases completely.
2. Turn ON the ignition. Verify the red BRAKE warning lamp is not illuminated.
3. If the red BRAKE warning lamp is illuminated, verify the following:

• The park brake lever is in the fully released position and against the stop.
• There is no slack in the park brake cables.

4. If the red BRAKE warning lamp remained illuminated and there were no other visible causes, refer to Symptoms - Hydraulic Brakes .
5. Turn OFF the ignition.
6. Remove the front floor console. Refer to Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) , Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) .

Fig. 57: Parking Brake Cable Adjusting Nut

7. With the park brake lever in the released position, loosen the adjusting nut (1) enough to completely relieve tension on the front cable.
8. Raise and support the vehicle. Raise the vehicle just enough to allow rear tire and wheel assembly removal and rear drum adjustment. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
9. Remove the rear tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
10. Adjust the rear drum brakes. Refer to Drum Brake Adjustment .
11. Ensure there is no brake shoe drag after adjustment by rotating the brake drums. If drag exists, re-center the brake shoes and perform the brake shoe adjustment again.
12. Install 2 wheel nuts to the wheel studs and firmly hand tighten in order to retain the brake drums.
13. Fully release the park brake lever.

CAUTION: Refer to Fastener Caution .

14. Tighten the park brake cable adjusting nut (1) until the threaded portion of the front park brake cable extends beyond the adjusting nut approximately 20 mm (0.79 in).
15. Apply the park brake lever.
16. Attempt to rotate the rear brake drums. There should be no rotation forward or rearward.
17. Fully release the park brake lever.
18. Verify the park brake is released by rotating the rear brake drums. The drums should rotate freely and exhibit no brake shoe drag.
19. If the drums do not rotate freely, repeat the park brake cable adjustment procedure.
20. Raise the park brake lever 3 detent positions and attempt to rotate the rear brake drums:

• One of the brake drums should not rotate forward or rearward.
• The other brake drum should not rotate forward or rearward, or should require substantial effort to rotate.

21. Raise the park brake lever one additional detent position and attempt to rotate the rear brake drums.
22. Verify that the left and right brake drums cannot be rotated.
23. Remove the wheel nuts retaining the brake drums.
24. Install the rear tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
25. Lower the vehicle.
26. Install the front floor console. Refer to Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) , Front Floor Console Replacement (Encore) .
27. Release the park brake lever.

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