Need Advice re: Parking Brake Adjustment (Possibly SOLVED)

[Bluesky 07]

Edit: I think I figured this out. I need to fully loosen the cable under the console, adjust the shoes, then retighten the cable.
==
I recently rebuilt my parking brakes on both sides, adjusted the shoes per the directions, and tightened up the cable under the console. After, the brake wouldn't hold on my inclined driveway.

I had been worried about not backing off the star wheel enough and having the shoes rub, so I expanded them a bit more. No luck. Went back under the console and tightened the cable to the limit. It holds now, but only if I really jack the pedal almost to the floor. This can't be the ideal adjustment. Wondering if I need to expand the shoes some more b/c the cable isn't an option any more. Any advice or suggestions are welcome.

I plan to do a mini-writeup soon sharing a few of the tips I picked up here and there. Least I can do since they saved my sanity. Somebody here said this job was their least favorite they had ever done on the 4R. Hallelujah, brother. Some of the thoughts I had about anybody who ever had anything to do with that design would probably get me locked up if I said them aloud.

 

[The Yin]

Sounds like you've got the right idea.

I haven't work with the parking brake adjustment in some time, but I think part of the goal was to adjust the cable so that the pedal as a certain number of 'Clicks' before it's locked down (might be 5?)

 

[ArthurKotb]

Parking brakes are shoe brakes. They work best when going forward, not so much backing up. You don't want them to drag. I just adjusted the star wheel on mine, didn't touch the console cable. They aren't self adjusting like regular shoe brakes. I turned the star wheel until I could feel them dragging, maybe a little more. That console cable is supposed to be an adjuster also. I push my EMER almost to the floor, and it will stop you going forward, but not rolling backwards down a hill.

 

[Montego Murph]

I've adjusted mine a few times since I bought it, and I don't agree with adjusting at the console. Then again, maybe your cable has stretched more than mine.

I'd suggest starting this way:

1. Remove tire, etc.
2. Compress the brake calipers so that they don't drag on the rotors.
3. Adjust click wheel through the drum hole just until you can't easily turn the rotor by hand anymore, then back it off 2 or three clicks so that it spins freely.
4. Repeat on the other side.
5. Set and release the pedal a few times, it should grab securely in the upper third of the pedal.

 

[rkmercedes]

2022 Totota 4Runner Parking Brake and Cable Adjustmeny

Hi All,
I am new to this list and do not have permission to start a thread so I attached myself to this one and hope for the best.

I changed the rear rotors and pads yesterday on my daughter's 2022 4Runner. When I went to adjust the parking brake the pedal goes to the floor and hardly holds the vehicle in drive on a level road. Doubled checked the adjustments and basically the same. My daughter hardly used the emergency brake but doesn't believe it went all the way to the floor.

I read a few complaints on Toyota Forums about the E-Barkes on the 4Runner being less than optimum.

There were a few suggestions to tighten the cable itself from inside the center console. Anyone have a video or instructions on that procedure.

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.

Sincerely,
Bob K

 

[Montego Murph]

Bob,
First of all, welcome. You've found a good place here. Lots of info.
Before you mess with the cable, could you tell me/us how you went about adjusting the brake shoes?

Try it again, but follow the procedure listed in my message above your post. If the pedal is now going down farther than it did before, I suspect that the adjusters are backed out too far. Two clicks should give you a nice solid hold at 2/3 pedal. The key though is to compress the brake caliper so the pads aren't dragging on the rotor while you're doing this part.

When adjusted properly, the parking brake should hold the vehicle on a slight incline. Mine does. I've seen some writeups suggesting backing the adjusters off 5-6 clicks which won't give any grab at all.

You did ask about the cables. Check this post:
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/1420520-post13.html

Let us know how it goes.

 

[88Center]

Looking forward to the writeup. I need to adjust mine too. Right now I have backed all the way off on one of my shoes, because it was causing an awful 'clunk' noise on every wheel rotation.

But I've not taken the time to get in there and figure out how to adjust properly.

 

[Drakethefirst]

This is something I need to do too. I just got my 4runner and I can roll away with the parking break on...so that needs to be tightened. I will make a youtube video of it at some point and post it here

 

[riceandpho]

you adjust the shoes first, i like to use 3-5 clicks back off on the star wheel after its fully extended.
then you can adjust the parking brake pedal and cable next.
ADJUSTMENT
1. REMOVE REAR WHEEL
2. ADJUST PARKING BRAKE SHOE CLEARANCE
HINT:
(See page PB-15)
3. INSTALL REAR WHEEL
Torque: 103 N*m (1,050 kgf*cm, 76 ft.*lbf)
4. INSPECT PARKING BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL
(a) Slowly depress the parking brake pedal all the way,
and count the number of clicks.
Parking brake pedal travel at 294 N (30 kgf, 66
lbf):
5 to 7 clicks
5. ADJUST PARKING BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL
(a) Remove the console rear panel upper.
(b) Remove the console panel upper.
(c) Remove the rear console box.
(d) Confirm that the parking brake pedal is released.
(e) Loosen the lock nut and turn the adjusting nut until
the parking brake pedal travel is corrected to the
specification.
(f) Tighten the lock nut.
Torque: 13 N*m (127 kgf*cm, 9 ft.*lbf)
(g) Check whether parking brake drags or not.
(h) When operating the parking brake pedal, check that
the parking brake pedal indicator light comes on.
(i) Install the rear console box.
(j) Install the console panel upper.
(k) Install the console rear panel upper.