Well..........I just got the Borla exhaust on and the bro in law wants to take it for a spin. I didn't even realize the parking brake was engage at least 3/4 the way to the floor. He didn't realize it was on either (can't see the red brake light from the passenger side). His foot's in it and all of a sudden it felt like we blew a tire out in the back as this cyclical dull thud is coming from the rear end like we were rolling on a flat tire. I realize the brake was on at that point. Pulled over and every thing seemed fine and the rotors weren't red hot like I anticipated. The parking brake not even keep the vehicle from rolling when fully engaged when in drive and only idling. Any idea what happened and will an adjustment to the parking brake help with the tension? Rotors are smooth, plenty of brake pad, etc. everything seems ok, but it didn't sound like it last night.

Doesn't the e-brake use a drum that's attached to the rotor assembly like on the LC's?

the e-brake is a small drum brake inside the rotor. It is not very powerfull and I have driven with it engaged for small distance, never had a thud?????? If it still works ok, you should be fine. You canadjust the brake by removing the center console and tightening the cables there or you can do it through inspection holes in the rotor (big pain)

This "issue" isn't unique to the 4runner, I remember I left the parking brake on when I had my Explorer, and I was able to drive on it with no problem for about 1-1/2 miles.

Maybe this is just how they design SUV parking brakes?

Bulldog-yota:

Thanks for the info. I had no clue that the e-brake didn't utilize the rear rotors. Having the stealership rotate and balance the tires on Fri and grease the driveline in an attempt to get rid of the thud in the rear end when initially accelerating from a complete stop. I'll have it checked out. Thanks again.

This morning, I was driving 50 ft away from the parking lot. All the sudden I heard some click noise. I stopped to check, then found out that my e-break was engaged. Wow! other Honda & Toyota cars that I had drove before din't have this. I don't really know that the "clicking noise" is good or bad but at least It let me know that I left my e-break engaged otherwise, I will cause more damage to my e-break.

Have you guys ever experience this clicking noise?

I've had my ebrake adjusted countless times. It will still not hold the vehicle on any grade.

I wish the ebrake had an automatic disengage feature like some domestics. Put it in D and the ebrake releases automatically.

Or, put a handle back in control like other generations.

i wish that happen to a T4R. my grandpa's '86 Cadillac Brougham has it. you step on the e-brake. and when you shift to D, it will turn off the e-brake. it's pretty nice classic car plus a good car (kinda). it has Cruise Control on it also! thought that was amusing.

once, my grandpa took my car (without asking) and he did NOT noticed that the e-brake was on the whole time. he was like, "hey grandson, something wrong with your car. seems like it's losing HP or something." i was like, *GASP!* this had happen NUMEROUS times! everything seems fine though. i think?

Edit: deleted the original info in my post. Sorry, did not want to give misinformation. It is a parking brake as you stated and there is no emergency brake requirement. The parking brake is designed to hold a vehicle in either direction on a maximum 20% grade for 5 minutes. It is not required to be used in emergency stopping manouvers (source: FMVSS 135.)

Hmmm...I don't think its technically called an 'emergency brake' anymore...it is usually refered to as 'parking brake'. Why...well, if you think about it...engaging the 'ebrake', as so many call it, could cause the rear wheels to lock up and spin you out of control...which might be worse than having no brakes at all.

I believe it is a 'parking brake' because it is 'suppose' to keep the vehicle from rolling on a hill just in case the tranny kicks out of gear (manual) or the 'shift lock' (or whatever it is call in the auto trans) disengages.

When I first got my 4Runner...I thought the parking brake wasn't adjusted properly...most cars I've had only takes a few 'clicks' of the handle or pedal to engage it.

Well, I talk to a 'tech' at the dealership...he said it does work as long as you depress the pedal almost all the way down. Not sure if this is true, but he also said that it was design this way so that if someone accidentally steps on the p-brake pedal while driving...it won't lock up the rear wheels and cause the vehicle to get out of control...yeah, yeah...sounds like a little BS there, but you never know.

From my experience...the p-brake, on my 4Runner at least, will hold it on hills as long as it is pressed all the way down...almost to the floor...it won't hold it anywhere if it is in gear...idling or otherwise.

J

well, from my theory, correct if i'm wrong but, if it was a parking brake, why could you still move when you accelerate? meaning if the pedal brakes could stop you completely, why can't your e-brake do the same? i'm not saying your wrong jwyshrek but of course, e-brake does help the car from not going downhill.

to me, i think the e-brake is mostly for uphill/downhill driving. meaning, if your going uphill, and your not accelerating, your car will go back. when you slightly pull the e-brake up half way and drive, it will basically stop to the point where you let go of your gas pedal. sorry i might be alittle confusing but that's what i think about e-brake.

Well, it depends on the vehicle in question...

For example, I had a 1991 Ford Escort GT and currently still own a 1999 Olds Alero...both FWD. When the p-brake is fully engaged, could still drive off (accelerate), but the rear wheels will not move...they will squeal (sp?). It all depends on which is more powerful...friction or engine torque...in these cases engine torque is greater. But the friction of the p-brake (and tires) should be stronger than mass and gravity.

For a RWD vehicle, the p-brakes are directly working again engine torq, which in most vehicles, is strong enough to overcome the braking power (friction) of the p-brake. Some cars even have enough power to over come the regular brakes. Ever do a smoky burnout in a powerful RWD car/truck...it wears out your rear brakes (and tires) fast.

But I agree, you could use the p-brake as a emergency brake if needed...just be careful...but I don't think it was intended to be used as a emergency braking device if your primary brakes failed...both hydralic circuits would have to fail.

I've use the p-brake as a 'start assist' when I drove my Escort around San Francisco...it was a 5-sp manual. I think what you describe is similar...just to prevent your vehicle from rolling back on a hill...I don't think that constitutes an emergency...but if you are letting go your gas pedal...why aren't you depress your brake pedal?

I think on some cars...I THINK mechanisms are in place to prevent you from using the p-brake while the vehicle is moving.

On my previously mentioned Escort, I could use it to lock up the rear wheels and 'drift'. But on my Alero, the p-brake didn't seem to engage while the car was moving (5+mph)...it would just make a loud popping noise, but it didn't seem to slow down.

J

From CarTalk...

http://www.cartalk.com/content/colum...ctober/03.html

So I assume that the T4R doesn't have an automatic parking brake release that activates when you attempt to drive with it engaged?

No it does not which is why I do not use it anymore. I know this as my wife jumped in it after I set the parking. She called me from the grocery store and stated that the vehicle does not drive right. I ran over to meet her and discovered the problem instantly. Hint: the light/indicator on the dash display tells you when the E-brake is on.

And no