I've done many brake jobs but not with the funky non-adjust parking brake thingy. Gotta do the rotor/drum and pads and shoes.

I've got the GM manual (posted below) and it talks about loading and unloading. I don't understand. Is there a way for one person to do this?
I know the "engineers" have their method but how does the real world mechanics do this?

2003 Savana Extended Cargo Van 2500 w/6-lugs

Quote
Disabling the Park Brake Cable Automatic
Adjuster
Before any components of the parking brake system are serviced, the following procedure must be followed.
Two technicians are required to perform this procedure: one inside the vehicle and one outside the vehicle.
Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle 1. in General Information.
2. Hold the pedal in the FULL upward position.
3. Pull rearward on the front park brake cable until the pedal drum (2) reaches its full reset position.
Insert a scribe or the shaft of a thin screwdriver (1) on an upward angle through the hole in the front of
the pedal assembly, past the retracted pedal drum, and into the hole in the back of the pedal
assembly (3).
4.
5. Slowly release the cable.
6. Remove the component that requires service.
Document ID# 840916

Enabling the Park Brake Cable Automatic
Adjuster
If the park brake automatic adjuster has been disabled, the following two person procedure must be
performed.
Hold the park brake 1. pedal in the FULL upward position.
Pull rearward on the front park brake cable until the tension is released from the scribe or nail (1)
installed through the holes in the pedal assembly.
2.
3. Remove the scribe or screwdriver (1).
4. Slowly release the park brake cable until it returns to its original position.
5. Release the park brake pedal.
6. Lower the vehicle.
7. Apply and release the park brake pedal to ensure that there is no binding or sticking.

 

pull down on the parking brake cable where it runs along the frame rail. which ever end moves, either front or rear, put a vise grip on that end to hold the cable in that position. This will give you enough slack to remove the rear cables from the middle cable bracket. with the rear cables unhooked, the cable will slide out of the rear shoes lever.

 

OK, so the funky pedal thingy keeps tension on the e-brake cable at all times. Which would make it difficult to release the cable from the e-brake shoes.

Your method leaves the tension on the funky thingy and allows slack donwstream.

Got it.

Thanks.

Next step is to be sure there is enough beer in the fridge for this project.

 

OK, got the job done. No real issues. Did not have to remove the parking cable from the pivoting bracket at the shoe.

But, holee sheet, nowhere in the manual does it say that the parking shoes CAN be adjusted using the star wheel thru the rubber-plugged hole in the backing plate. Just like the ole days before disc brakes.

 

If you have drums then I don't know why the manual said to mess with the cable at all.
Maybe yours is a late 02 as the newer ones have rear disc don't they?
At any rate you got it done.

 

It is an 03 with shoes for parking and pads for braking.

The manual says to remove the drum/rotor and measure the inside diameter of the drum and adjust the shoes to fit. I guess that would be from an "engineer's" viewpoint but not practical in the real-world. Just use a brake spoon like the ole days. No wrenching required.

 

lol. I thought you were referring to drum service brake equipped