[CTD7]

So before I say anything, yes I know im not the most capable of repairmen yet but im only 16 so what do you expect? Im just trying to get some basic help.

So I have a 2008 TRX400, I bought it brand new last year. It runs great, I love it, the only problem I have had so far is parking brake. Twice I have had to readjust the parking brake due to the fact that it just loosens up and eventually will just keep rolling even if the parking brake is on. I took it to my dads friend who is very good with this kind of thing, and he showed me how to adjust the brakes, but I think he overtightened them or something? I first noticed it when I was pushing it into the garage and it was much harder to push. Now I verified it by riding around for a couple minutes without using the back brakes, yet they still ended up being hot. How do I loosen it up? I know there is the bolt on the back near the brake but do I just loosen that up and it will go? Or is there something more specific? Please help!

 

[Helmut]

Yeah, you should be able to just loosen the locknut and then loosen the bolt some. Hold that bolt with a wrench when you tighten that locknut back down to keep the bolt from turning.

 

[CTD7]

I tried doing just that but seem to be having the same kind of problem. I loosened it to a point where the parking brake works, but on a steep hill or something it wouldnt be enough, yet it still has fricition on the brake. Is it possible to just loosen up the brake without actually messing with the parking brake? I would like to tighten the parking brake up more so that it will actually work but if I am going to have constant braking because of this ill be forced to go without a pb.

 

[Helmut]

You should be able to loosen that adjusting bolt up so the parking brake don't work and the back brakes should still work fine.

 

[CTD7]

So basically im just gonna have to be old fashioned and go without a parking brake from the looks of it?

 

[Helmut]

So basically im just gonna have to be old fashioned and go without a parking brake from the looks of it?

If you loosen the adjusting bolt all the way, but I don't understand why it don't work right. Is it possible that the piston is sticking in the caliper and dragging? If you loosen the adjusting bolt all the way and the brake still has pressure on it, then that might be what's happening.

 

[Helmut]

This is how the 400EX factory service manual shows to adjust the parking brake.

 

[CTD7]

So basically im just gonna have to be old fashioned and go without a parking brake from the looks of it?

If you loosen the adjusting bolt all the way, but I don't understand why it don't work right. Is it possible that the piston is sticking in the caliper and dragging? If you loosen the adjusting bolt all the way and the brake still has pressure on it, then that might be what's happening.

Ill go try it now, hopefully it wont drag or anything then. But that disables my parking brake, which after my near rolling backwards off a cliff experience the last time I went trail riding, I would like to have the ability to put on the parking brake instead of using rocks! :icon_exclaim:

 

[Helmut]

I posted the instructions from the factory service manual above, I don't know if you seen it or not. I think we were typing at the same time.

 

[njrextreme]

It should stay put if you leave it in first and the motor off. I never use that parking brake. Mine hasnt worked good from new either. For hills, dont stop on them! Make sure you allways have good speed in second gear and you should be able to climb just about any hill. But if you think you need it, the directions are there. Also, check how thick your pads are, thicker the better. And there cheap.
NJREXTREME

 

[eric]

i have an 05 400 and the parking break dont work at all but oh well i dont use it any way ill just leave it in gear and shut it off or block the wheels yes im lazy and i no how to fix it but dont feel like it but hell i ride the dunes mostly and once you stop your tires sink in a little

 

[CTD7]

It should stay put if you leave it in first and the motor off. I never use that parking brake. Mine hasnt worked good from new either. For hills, dont stop on them! Make sure you allways have good speed in second gear and you should be able to climb just about any hill. But if you think you need it, the directions are there. Also, check how thick your pads are, thicker the better. And there cheap.
NJREXTREME

Haha well I didnt WANT to stop on the hill, i just didnt have a choice. It was over a 45 degree angle, only 6 feet wide, and on the side of a cliff. Once my dad got stuck in a rut at the top I really had no choice but to stop besides collide with him, trust me once we got his moving I just gunned it straight up the hill and had no problem at all lol

 

[tomgodd]

Just use 1st gear to keep it in place.
Remove that POS parking brake. THey are garbage! Everyone I know hates them and has trouble with keeping them adjusted.

 

[CTD7]

Putting it in first gear should work in most situations right? As long as the quad is running fine I should be able to just put it in first and not even worry about the parking brake

 

[Helmut]

Putting it in first gear should work in most situations right? As long as the quad is running fine I should be able to just put it in first and not even worry about the parking brake

That's correct.

 

[jcupp83]

my local honda service guy told me that the parking break is a kind of a pain because the more you use your back break the more the parking break wears and will need to be re adjusted but have you tried adjusting the parking break cable at the handle bar thats how i set mine i adj the bolt part on the back and then i tweek it with the handle bar adjustment

hope this helps

 

[CRNRACING]

My parking brake on my 400ex never work..I actually was goin up a hill that was steeper than 45 degrees and my skid plate under the roater hit because of deep ruts.All i has to do is turn the bike off in 1st and it was fine.I just took it off and got a moose parking brake block off plate and used silcone to seal it and have never had a problem.Not having a parking brake keeps from having wear on your pads...so they last longer!!