Parking Brake...do you use it??

[SteveM]

2003 Parking Brake Type?

What type of parking brakes do the 2003's with rear discs have?

Is it:

1. Parking brake actuated by squeezing the caliper pads

or

2. A small drum within the rear hub

or

3. A Fred Flintstone stick that drags on the ground

 

[jj8111]

Re: 2003 Parking Brake Type?

What type of parking brakes do the 2003's with rear discs have?

Is it:

1. Parking brake actuated by squeezing the caliper pads

or

2. A small drum within the rear hub

or

3. A Fred Flintstone stick that drags on the ground

A small drum within the rear hubs

To adjust the linkage you must remove the center armrest, the linkage is beneath it.. I found it easier to remove the armrest than to remove the rear wheels and calipers to adjust the clearance for the drum. I suspect I will need to do this next time.

 

[SteveM]

Thanks!

I think I'll buy a real shop manual from Toyota before any serious maintenance is required.

 

[Atlanta_man]

we need a thrid option on the poll:

never worked, not fixable by the dealer

 

[Fortyfied]

I move the shifter to neutral, apply the parking brake as I let off the service brake and only move the shifter to park after the parking brake is holding the vehicle stopped.

 

[HiVel-JR]

I am not sure why I use it but I do

 

[04 sc V8]

I use mine all the time. Being a mechanic I have seen way too many broken park pawls in automatic transmissions. The only exception is; when there is a very wet slushy mix on the roads here in New England with temps dipping well below freezing and being parked on level ground overnight. This is due to fear of it freezing up on me.

 

[vabyrd]

Always use it. Shift to Neutral, set brake, shift to park. good habit to get into, keeps pressure off the tranny. of course both of my Toyo's are manual, except the damn van...

 

[2003-4x4runner]

Always

The 4 runner was my 1st vehicle with the parking brake near the floor. At first i would forget to relase the brake :headslap: and i would drive a mile and relize i had the brake on. Know its 2nd nature for me to put the parking brake on/off when i drive.

Funny thing is when i drive my wifes BMW and park, i always put my foot down thinking the parking break is there. D'oh

 

[Uneek]

Always, for the reasons Thai mentioned, except when it's snowing for fear it might freeze and stick. Mine does stick a bit, if I wash the rear wheels, set it and the 4Runner sits for a few days.

 

[shawnstcyr]

I use it on occassion. It helps prevent sticking and it's a habit, helps other cars keep the rear shoes in adjustment.

 

[fasttimesNY]

I always use the parking brake. It makes me feel secure.

 

[ycvgk4]

If I get rear ended the trucks done. In comes a new one.

 

[Asylvester]

Now I do

I wasn't using it enough and the bell cranks froze. After repeated lube and banging on with a hammer they finally loosened (this took awhile). Now I use it regularly and spray inside the rubber boot with penetrating oil routinely.