Rob:
This seems a little strange. I'm assuming you're meaning "Emergency Brake"
by 'E-brake'. (If you mean "Electric Brake": I'm really confused becuase
that's for trailers and should have nothing to do with the truck itself.)
You really should only set the "Emergency" or "Parking" brake when on a
hill or if the truck is in neutral, etc. Brakes heat up by their very nature
and when you apply the parking brake it puts pressure on the drums. As the
brake cools it can take the drums slightly out of round. Do this enough in
the same spot on the drums and you can see some degradation of brake
preformance or even "Chattering". Also, frequent application of the brake
stretches the cable and will force you to adjust it occasionally.
Drum brakes are more susceptible to this than disc brakes, and foot set
brakes are also more susceptible as you can usually apply more pressure with
your foot than your hand. I just avoid setting cable brakes unless the
situation really calls for it.
As far as your problem goes, I'd try a pad change to semi-metallic or
carbon fiber (make the dealership do this). It could just be poorly
manufactured pads that are getting a bit sticky when hot. Or you could have
something in the brake mechanism itself that is sticking when hot, metal to
metal, a seal on the cylinder or something like that. Since it's still under
warranty, I'd be handing it over to the dealer and saying "fix it or I get a
new truck" which (in California) is the law. If you have taken the truck in 3
times for the same problem, you can have it "lemoned" and make Chrysler
replace the truck. The onus here is on the dealer and the manufacturer, not
you. Go get 'em.
Shaun H.
Tustin, CA
------original message--------
I have a problem with the E-brake on my 97 Clubcab V8 SLT 4x4. After
driving for a while (ie. brakes have heated up) and then parked for a few
hours, the E-brake does not release.
Gently rocking the truck (ie. foot out the door) and CLUNK, the brake
releases. It's almost like the shoes have stuck to the drum.
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