The parking brake needs to be re-adjusted ever so often...probably with every standard oil change (7500 mile). If it does not get re-adjusted, then it will be very loose and less effective (like what you noticed).

Once adjusted, the parking brake will be tight again.

It's time to find a new friend? (In my opinion, yes, it is not needed if you park on a flat surface, but it does provide additional insurance.)

I have to get used to the parking brake being on the floor to my left. It's setup like a truck and I'm just not used to having it there. This is my first SUV and I still have to get accustomed to it so I use the parking brake whenever I remember to turn it on.

I'm sure the longer I have it the easier it will be to remember to put it on. I've had to change my "Get out of car" routine since buying this thing and I'm still getting accustomed to driving it.

I use the parking brake in my vehicles almost all the time. My 4Runner has broken the front cable twice now and is probably ready to be done again. If the 4Runner sits for a while the rear brakes get stuck. I`m assuming that rust builds on the drums causing the shoes to stick. When it is parked in the garage for a while (more than 2 weeks) I don`t use the brake. My 4Runner is a 5 speed. My other car is an automatic front wheel drive and I use the parking brake to go around corners in the snow...kinda like drifting! I also use the parking brake to turn off the daytime running lights.

I am one of those who seem to never use too. But, here's some stuff I have not seen posted here. I bought my '97 and took it to my buddie's shop. I asked him to go over the vehicle (with 90,000 on it). I told him that it felt like the brake rotors were warped slightly. He showed me that the parking brake cable was loose, and smiled. Feeling a little stupid, I looked at him with a classic blank stair. Okay, here's how it works. The parking brake, when properly adjusted, is what ratchets the rear drum adusters when you pull on that handle you don't use. Because yours are not adjusted out, where they should be, the front brakes are doing all the work. Voila, warped rotors. So, two things, adjust the cables on both sides, and use the damn thing!
BTW, this my first post, I'm new around here, and I love this vehicle! Bought it for $13,000 w/ 90,000 on it, here in California. Yeah, where the weather is getting to cost to damn much

What type of parking brakes do the 2003's with rear discs have?

Is it:

1. Parking brake actuated by squeezing the caliper pads

or

2. A small drum within the rear hub

or

3. A Fred Flintstone stick that drags on the ground

A small drum within the rear hubs

To adjust the linkage you must remove the center armrest, the linkage is beneath it.. I found it easier to remove the armrest than to remove the rear wheels and calipers to adjust the clearance for the drum. I suspect I will need to do this next time.

Thanks!

I think I'll buy a real shop manual from Toyota before any serious maintenance is required.

we need a thrid option on the poll:

never worked, not fixable by the dealer

I move the shifter to neutral, apply the parking brake as I let off the service brake and only move the shifter to park after the parking brake is holding the vehicle stopped.

I am not sure why I use it but I do

I use mine all the time. Being a mechanic I have seen way too many broken park pawls in automatic transmissions. The only exception is; when there is a very wet slushy mix on the roads here in New England with temps dipping well below freezing and being parked on level ground overnight. This is due to fear of it freezing up on me.

Always use it. Shift to Neutral, set brake, shift to park. good habit to get into, keeps pressure off the tranny. of course both of my Toyo's are manual, except the damn van...

The 4 runner was my 1st vehicle with the parking brake near the floor. At first i would forget to relase the brake :headslap: and i would drive a mile and relize i had the brake on. Know its 2nd nature for me to put the parking brake on/off when i drive.

Funny thing is when i drive my wifes BMW and park, i always put my foot down thinking the parking break is there. D'oh

Always, for the reasons Thai mentioned, except when it's snowing for fear it might freeze and stick. Mine does stick a bit, if I wash the rear wheels, set it and the 4Runner sits for a few days.