Lesson Learned: Mother-in-Laws don't drive my vehicles.

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Crusifix

New member
Yesterday I let my Mother-in-law borrow my TRDP. I chose this vehicle because she isn't touching the GT500 or Range Rover. (She is in visiting for two months from Texas) She arrives at our home last night and says, "I think something is wrong with the brakes. It kept dinging and the brake light is on". I said "Did you release the parking brake"? Her response "I don't know". Sure enough, my two month old 4Runner now needs the parking brake serviced. The pedal goes to the floor now, with no engagement. Seriously, some people are just clueless.


Edit: Crap, meant to post in General. Mods please move. Sorry.

-Jeff
 
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If my anyone wanted to borrow one of my t4rs I would just rent them a car. $20/day is worth it just for the peace of mind. Esp after reading OP.
 
Yikes! We just got our 4R but doesn't it give an audible alarm when you begin moving with the parking brake engaged? I know all other vehicles I have ever had do. Seems crazy that she would ignore that and just keep driving!

Sorry to hear about that bro but hopefully you like your wife enough to get over it :biggrin1:
 
jdtaylor42 said:
Yikes! We just got our 4R but doesn't it give an audible alarm when you begin moving with the parking brake engaged? I know all other vehicles I have ever had do. Seems crazy that she would ignore that and just keep driving!

Sorry to hear about that bro but hopefully you like your wife enough to get over it :biggrin1:
Click to expand...

That's what she said. She kept hearing a dinging sound. Drove 50 miles with it like that. My wife is the same way. She also said, well that explains why it was hard to get moving...
Periodically I will get in the RR and notice a CEL is on. When I ask how longs it's been like that she will almost always say, I don't know, a week or two... WTF!

I'm going to wager that my MIL just turned the radio up..
I bet it drove her nuts that all of my presets are sports and talk. I know she didn't figure out how to manually tune the radio. She didn't even figure out the cruise control. Might have an IQ of 76.

:roadkill:
 
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Crusifix said:
Yesterday I let my Mother-in-law borrow my TRDP. I chose this vehicle because she isn't touching the GT500 or Range Rover. (She is in visiting for two months from Texas) She arrives at our home last night and says, "I think something is wrong with the brakes. It kept dinging and the brake light is on". I said "Did you release the parking brake"? Her response "I don't know". Sure enough, my two month old 4Runner now needs the parking brake serviced. The pedal goes to the floor now, with no engagement. Seriously, some people are just clueless.


Edit: Crap, meant to post in General. Mods please move. Sorry.

-Jeff
Click to expand...
if it were ME, she would be paying that bill. there is no excuse for that shit.
 
Rofl at her IQ... Good times.

So this scenario only destroyed the e brake line, right? Normal breaking should be good.
 
amalik said:
Rofl at her IQ... Good times.

So this scenario only destroyed the e brake line, right? Normal breaking should be good.
Click to expand...


I guess so. Not sure how this system works. I haven't had time to crawl under it and look. Hopefully it's just stretched out. If it is like what was on my old wrangler it is like a mini drum brake that isn't part of the primary brake system. If that's the case, then the pad is probably worn out. Someone here can enlighten me on this system I'm sure.

Edit. Thank you youtube. Going to see if I can adjust them later this evening. I don't feel like pulling everything apart right now, but ya gotta do what you gotta do. Hopefully there is some adjustment left in them.

Edit again. Might just buy some new shoes from NAPA. That way I will have everything I need in case they are worn. If they can be adjusted, then I can return the new shoes. F my life!
 
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You'd think the lights and noise would have tipped her off...

Crusifix said:
Yesterday I let my Mother-in-law borrow my TRDP... I said "Did you release the parking brake"? Her response "I don't know". Sure enough, my two month old 4Runner now needs the parking brake serviced. The pedal goes to the floor now, with no engagement. Seriously, some people are just clueless.
Click to expand...

See this brings up the do you need to use the parking brake in an automatic on flat ground debate...
I don't usually use it myself except on inclines. My wife on the other hand is situational about it. She does it all the time if it's a hand brake but doesn't in the vehicles like the 4runner with a pedal.
 
Separate drum.

Crusifix said:
I guess so. Not sure how this system works. I haven't had time to crawl under it and look. Hopefully it's just stretched out. If it is like what was on my old wrangler it is like a mini drum brake that isn't part of the primary brake system. If that's the case, then the pad is probably worn out. Someone here can enlighten me on this system I'm sure.
Click to expand...

There are e-brake drums in the rear. The spring to adjust is inside the drum and you can reach it through a small hole that can be reached by removing the tire. It's a PITA.
 
4Rager said:
Was her first comment about what a slow pig your new truck was?
Click to expand...

Nope... Just "Something is wrong with the brakes"

She has a 2004 Mazda tribute with a 4 cylinder. I bet this still seemed fast as hell to her, LOL!

Thanks for all the help and advice guys!
 
unless she drove a LONG ways with the park brake completely cranked down, I doubt they are worn out.

you should be able to adjust them up some. but I would take a good look at the rotors for any discoloration. you may not have any issue NOW, but in the long term, with over heated rotors.
also, a lot of times, when this happens, is the heat gets into the cable, and allows it to stretch a bit. which also adds to the low park brake pedal. adjust the shoes up first, THEN take a look at the cable adjustment, if the pedal is still low.


also, there is no way I would let this slide. she would also, not ever get to drive any of my vehicles again. "need to go somewhere, call a cab"
 
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