Parking Brake Adjustment

In my case, the e brake pedal did not engage any clicks for the first bit when pushed down. When it was released the cable assembly under the driver's door by catalytic converter was really slack and I could push/pull on the cable by hand that went to the foot pedal. By loosening off the jam nut I was able to tighten the inner nut then snug up the jam nut again to keep it all tight. If the cable is loose I would start here first before messing with the adjustments at the actual pedal assembly. Not sure if this helps but I figured any reply may help. Good luck.

 

So I jacked up the rear wheels, opened up the left under-dash panel, and adjusted the nuts on the parking brake cable so the wheels locked when the pedal was depressed to 6-9 clicks. Still wouldn't hold the truck on even a very minor incline when in neutral. Took it into a shop yesterday. They said they adjusted the star wheel to expand the brake shoes as much as they could (as this video shows), but there was no improvement at all. Now they're claiming that I shouldn't actually expect the parking brake to hold the truck on a incline in neutral. I've never had a vehicle that couldn't do that. Are they full of it? Are ya'll able to adjust yours to hold solidly on an incline in neutral?

 

this was the only item I had Toyota handle under warranty.
Yes, the parking brake can be adjusted to hold the weight of the truck on a slight incline in neutral. To be fair, Toyota seemed to have lots of them leave the factory not in that condition.

 

My recollection is there is an adjust at the brake, but also an adjustment that can be done on the cable.

ETA see page 1.

 

Yeah, I adjusted the cable. It's in spec (6-9 clicks). Seems like it should be the star wheel adjustment shown in that video, but the shop I took it to said they adjusted that as tight as they could without causing the brakes to bind. Guess I need to either find a better mechanic or attempt to do this myself...

 

Definitely, the brake should hold the truck. Mine does. Maybe search out another mechanic or try and tackle yourself but I think that last mechanic is wrong. I hate to suggest it but could always try the Stealership.

 

I just failed inspection due to the parking brake. I knew the shoes were thin & was expecting it. Replaced the shoes, followed adjustment procedure & still have 13 clicks on the brake pedal. Tightened the brake cable about an inch of threads & still have 13 clicks. The pedal starts much higher & is noticeably stiffer but I can't get it to bottom out @ 8 clicks. The parking brake will now hold in reverse but not in drive. WTF am I missing?

 

Anyone who's done drum brakes should make easy work of this.....

 

The parking brake shoes are inside the "top hat" on the rotor. The adjustment is made through the hole in the face of the rotor but you need to align it with the star wheel. Finding the correct rotor position on the hub to get to the parking brake shoe adjuster is a little difficult. Based on the clock face, it is about 6:30 on the right and 4:00 on the left (for my 2017). You have to be dead on to do it. These shoes should almost never wear out - they hardly get used at all but the shoes and the brake mechanism can get jacked up if someone tries to removes the rotor and does not back them off (ask me how I know). They do not automatically adjust so if you back them off to remove the rotor, you have to readjust them after you install the new rotor.

 

Yeah, the adjustment hole should be 180 degrees opposite from where the cable comes to the back of the drum.

 

I asked Dealership if they can adjust. They said they need to open the parking brake and adjust quoting $99. I am wondering.

 

The Toyota dealerships are full of bull. I was told, they can only adjust the cable which did nothing for my parking brake. After watching the video of the gentleman fixing his rear brake with success, I took my vehicle to a private repair shop. They adjusted my brake according to the video and 3 clicks later, my vehicle didn't roll. This is why the Toyota and any other forums are a tremendous help to the consumer.

 

About to do this job on my 2016, is it the same as in video for 07-13?