Conventional Parking Brake problems of the 2000 Chevrolet Suburban

Parking brake does not work at all. When truck was new, it was weak at best, now it will not function at all. Taken to dealer who agreed it did not work at all. Vehicle out of warranty and insists I must pay $180+ for repair/adjustment. . . Even though it is a "known problem" (in their words). They stated even under warranty it would have only been covered for 12,000 miles since it is an "adjustment" even though they told me there was no adjustment for it and the entire rear brake assembly has to be removed to repair problem. Vehicle is a 4x4 with neutral transfer case capability and I feel the parking brake is essential for safe operation of this feature. It is obvious this is a known defect yet I am required to pay for the problem.

Parking brake will not hold the car on steep surfaces. Came this way new. Many like vehicles have the same problem. Gm denies that there is a problem. The shop manual describes an adjustment procedure. The dealers can't find an adjustment in there computerized manual. The impass has lasted several monthhs.