how to adjust E-brake for toyota 4 runner 2002 limited edition, rear wheel drive ??
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i was curious i went to my garage and checked it up , it can't be tightened more or elese it will break, i was told that there is a way to adjust the emergency brake from the wheels , anybody know abt it plz anyhelp cuz am stopping the car by shifting the gear to P and this may harm the gearbox !!
TheDurk
Elite Member
Why are you using the e-brake (or a shift to P) to stop the car? There is that pedal for that...
If you are saying it won't stop because you are testing the e-brake, then maybe the rear brakes are not working. The first thing to check is your bellcranks, the metal levers on the backside of each drum that the e-brake cables attach to. You may need a good cleaning and adjusting of your rear brakes. This is what I had to do to fix my e-brake plus free up one of the bellcranks. Worst case, your axle seals may be leaking oil onto your shoes and the rear brakes are completely non-functional.
As far as I know, there is no adjustment of the cable at the wheels. There is only the free play adjustment at the bellcranks but that is not going to solve your problem. You should check that the cable mounts are secure, as loose mounts could introduce slack into the cable. If all is as it should be, then maybe your cable is stretched or near breaking due to internal corrosion.
If you are saying it won't stop because you are testing the e-brake, then maybe the rear brakes are not working. The first thing to check is your bellcranks, the metal levers on the backside of each drum that the e-brake cables attach to. You may need a good cleaning and adjusting of your rear brakes. This is what I had to do to fix my e-brake plus free up one of the bellcranks. Worst case, your axle seals may be leaking oil onto your shoes and the rear brakes are completely non-functional.
As far as I know, there is no adjustment of the cable at the wheels. There is only the free play adjustment at the bellcranks but that is not going to solve your problem. You should check that the cable mounts are secure, as loose mounts could introduce slack into the cable. If all is as it should be, then maybe your cable is stretched or near breaking due to internal corrosion.
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sry if didn't express my idea well, i usually engage my e-brake everytime i park the car for safety, and in order not to keep the weight of the car over the parking mode in the gear box ,i want to tighten it from the bellcranks the cable has been changed lately so chance for corrosion or being stretched is little,, the rear brakes are functioning but not holding the car farmly, so i'll be thankful if u can tell me how to adjust it from the crankbells 
TheDurk
Elite Member
If the cable is brand new, and the adjuster on the e-brake handle is screwed as far as it can go, then there is probably something wrong--it's not a question of just finding another way to tighten it more. Maybe you got the wrong cable?
Did you verify that the bellcrank lever (the end INSIDE the drum) is connected to the little short cable at the bottom of the drum and that short cable goes over a guide to the lever that moves the shoes? on both sides? And do the shoes move as they should when you move the e-brake handle? If one of those little cables is broken or came off then you would have the problem you describe.
Try this as an experiment: put some wood blocks between the differential and the cable between the left and right bellcranks. This should have the effect of shortening the cable and increasing the tension the way you want. Then see if it works. I bet it won't.
I'm worried you are like a kid with a dead battery in his radio who tries to force the volume knob up beyond where it should go when what he really needs a new battery. If I turn out to be wrong I will apologize.
Did you verify that the bellcrank lever (the end INSIDE the drum) is connected to the little short cable at the bottom of the drum and that short cable goes over a guide to the lever that moves the shoes? on both sides? And do the shoes move as they should when you move the e-brake handle? If one of those little cables is broken or came off then you would have the problem you describe.
Try this as an experiment: put some wood blocks between the differential and the cable between the left and right bellcranks. This should have the effect of shortening the cable and increasing the tension the way you want. Then see if it works. I bet it won't.
I'm worried you are like a kid with a dead battery in his radio who tries to force the volume knob up beyond where it should go when what he really needs a new battery. If I turn out to be wrong I will apologize.
RMGulchin1
New member
This is excellent. Loose lever has been bugging me for months. Gonna knock it out this week.
In all honesty though 10 clicks in fine. If you're looking for something like 3 then that's too tight, your cable is gonna wear down much faster. But if you want to adjust from ebrake handle side.
1. Park your car on a flat surface
2. Without putting your foot on the brake, push your ebrake disengage button on the lever and pull your ebrake handle back all the way to the top its max and back down. (Pull on it like a regular human and not just yank it)
3. Repeat step 2 about 10 times then check click counts. You'll probably be around 8 clicks if not less.
If you listen closely when you do step 2 you can actually hear it through the drums.
Just an FYI. For step 2 just hold the button and pull back and drop repeat without release the button it's much faster.
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03V8Limited4Runner
New member
I am new to the page and suck at tech, so I need to ask for HELP.
I have an 03 4Runner V8 Limited (4th Gen) and I freaking LOVE IT. I got it used 2 years ago (230 000kms) and it's been freaking awesome! BUT!! The emergency brake shoes seized up and I couldn't get the truck to move (had the e-brake on while parked on a hilly part of the driveway for a few weeks, seriously, that's it). My dad has rebuilt engines and does everything for all of our family cars (except bodywork), and he has been LOSING IT on this ridiculous e-brake system... So, we replaced the shoes (pads were literally STUCK in the rotors) so we replaced those, then all 3 cables, and now the rotors... And we have had the wheels on and off more than I can say, (and the shoes on and off trying to troubleshoot) and we've tightened EVERYTHING sooo many times.... We have adjusted the shit out of these up and down, at the star on the e-brakes, under the console, and at the pedal. We can't get the balance where the wheels will spin in neutral, but the e-brakes will stop the car when in motion. And before I changed the rotors today, (but had done everything else), we removed the old rotors (for the 40th time) and the e-brake had obviously been catching somewhat, because the new e-brake pads had created a shit-ton of dust all in them and look scratched, but still wouldn't stop the wheel when in motion. So new rotors, re-adjusting, and the truck still rolls when the e-brake is on. I think it's making him crazy, and I've been there for a while. If you have any ideas on how to set this thing, I'd love to try them. THANK YOU!! ��
I have an 03 4Runner V8 Limited (4th Gen) and I freaking LOVE IT. I got it used 2 years ago (230 000kms) and it's been freaking awesome! BUT!! The emergency brake shoes seized up and I couldn't get the truck to move (had the e-brake on while parked on a hilly part of the driveway for a few weeks, seriously, that's it). My dad has rebuilt engines and does everything for all of our family cars (except bodywork), and he has been LOSING IT on this ridiculous e-brake system... So, we replaced the shoes (pads were literally STUCK in the rotors) so we replaced those, then all 3 cables, and now the rotors... And we have had the wheels on and off more than I can say, (and the shoes on and off trying to troubleshoot) and we've tightened EVERYTHING sooo many times.... We have adjusted the shit out of these up and down, at the star on the e-brakes, under the console, and at the pedal. We can't get the balance where the wheels will spin in neutral, but the e-brakes will stop the car when in motion. And before I changed the rotors today, (but had done everything else), we removed the old rotors (for the 40th time) and the e-brake had obviously been catching somewhat, because the new e-brake pads had created a shit-ton of dust all in them and look scratched, but still wouldn't stop the wheel when in motion. So new rotors, re-adjusting, and the truck still rolls when the e-brake is on. I think it's making him crazy, and I've been there for a while. If you have any ideas on how to set this thing, I'd love to try them. THANK YOU!! ��
You're in third gen country here! Try in the 4th gen section and I bet someone will have some help for you. Good luck!
03V8Limited4Runner
New member
Thanks!
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