How to Adjust Brake Pedal Height?
2 Answers
Methods for adjusting brake pedal height: 1. Disconnect the brake light wire, loosen the lock nut of the brake light switch, and rotate the brake light switch in or out according to the adjustment requirements. Measure the pedal height with a ruler until it reaches the specified value; 2. Tighten the brake light lock nut and check the contact condition between the brake light switch and the pedal to ensure the brake light is off; 3. After adjusting the pedal free height, because the length of the push rod remains unchanged after the pedal position is moved, the free travel of the pedal will change; 4. Inspection of the remaining height of the brake pedal: Place chocks under the front and rear wheels, release the parking brake, start the engine and let it run for 2 minutes. Press the brake pedal with a force of 490 N. The distance between the pedal and the floor at this time is the remaining height of the pedal. If the remaining height of the pedal is lower than the specified value for the vehicle model, it indicates that the gap between the brake shoe and drum is too large. Follow the relevant content of the wheel brake to adjust the shoe-drum gap.
I've adjusted the brake pedal height a few times myself. First, make sure the car is parked, turned off, and the handbrake is engaged—safety first. Then, crawl under the car or open the hood to locate the connecting rod part of the brake pedal arm, which usually has a locknut. Use the appropriate wrench to loosen it, then slowly rotate the push rod to raise or lower the pedal position—too high and the brake will become stiff and hard to press, too low and the travel will be too long, affecting response. After adjustment, press the pedal several times with your foot to test the feel, and don’t forget to check if the brake fluid level is normal, as too low or a leak could cause bigger issues. I like doing this kind of maintenance regularly to avoid the brakes becoming soft or sudden failures, extending the system’s lifespan and saving on repair costs. It’s not hard to try it yourself, but be gentle to prevent damaging parts or installing them backward. Beginners can follow a tutorial video for guidance.
