E-Brake Repair

[CAN-03runner]

So after haing a non functional ebrake for the longest time, I finally decided to inestigate what was wrong. Almost everything online refers to the bell crank seizing. And that's what I thought too since it didn't move very much. But it connects to another lever that pulls the cable from the inside. It was seized, giving the appearance that the bell crank was seized.

This looks to be an easy fix. If someone else has a non fonctional ebrake, it might not be the bell crank.

I cleaned it, painted it, and sanded out the hole and the stem that it goes onto. It swings freely now, then I suppose I'll stuff it with grease.

Additionally, since mine is an 84 with an IFS rear axle....the original parking brake cable was too short... ooops I knew this, not sure why I didn't extend it originally, too excited to just get it all reasembled to run it again, that I never came back to it....so if you change your 84-85 rear axle... to a rear axle from an IFS...you need a longer ebrake cable.:blabla: Just saying.

 

[fourwd1]

The entire e-brake assy is poorly designed and a constant source of problems due to rust.
You'd think Toyota would design a system a little more resistant to corrosion, especially on a 4WD vehicle.
And when you swap to the wider axle, it's best to get the e-brake cable and everything.

 

[wallytoo]

actually, the piece you cleaned up IS a bellcrank. there are two per side in the parking brake assembly. while the "outer" bellcrank appears to more often be the seized one, the second bellcrank can seize too (as you discovered).

the secret to having a functioning parking brake is to use it every time you park your vehicle, whether for 5 minutes at the store or overnight. this helps prevent rust build-up and "freezing".

 

[CAN-03runner]

actually, the piece you cleaned up IS a bellcrank. there are two per side in the parking brake assembly. while the "outer" bellcrank appears to more often be the seized one, the second bellcrank can seize too (as you discovered).

the secret to having a functioning parking brake is to use it every time you park your vehicle, whether for 5 minutes at the store or overnight. this helps prevent rust build-up and "freezing".

Interesting. Also a bellcrank. It does dangle like a ringing bell. Dam, the name now makes perfect sense.:cheers: I'm a little more knowledgable today. Thanks,