Parking brake doesn't work

[the_dingman]

As the title says, my parking brake is not working. The cables are good all the way back, but the levers going into the brake drums don't move when I engage the lever, the cable just gets really, really tight. I'm thinking that something is seized inside the brake drums, and that they might even be stuck half on.

How hard is it do do work on the rear brakes? I'm good mechanically, but not experienced... or confident when it comes to difficult repairs. I would like to have this fixed before winter so I can use my remote start on cold days, but don't want to pay for a shop to fix it.

Thanks

 

[SixxiA]

Rear brakes are one of the things I'm fluent with. Easy, very easy, to work with. Just get a Haynes manual. It'll have pictures and accurate diagrams to follow. If something seized up, I recommend a rear brake hardware kit. Pull the rear drums off and take them with you when you go to get the hardware kit, and see if they can be turned at the same time. If so, it's also a good idea to get new shoes. Haynes manual will explain all of this. If you turn the drums, replace shoes and hardware, you're golden and a bona-fide rear brake job accomplisher. =]

Please note that without a Haynes manual, or detailed instructions with pictures, this job will be much more difficult for the first time.

Never done the Toyota's brakes, but I've done many a domestic. I'm assuming they are similar, but I'd like to make it a point to say that. Not to make an ass out of myself.

 

[the_dingman]

I have a Haynes manual, I just wanted to be sure I wasn't getting in too deep...

What about my front disc brakes? I think the brakes all around are not very good... My front pads rub on the disc, however very lightly... Is that normal, or are my calipers shot?

 

[SixxiA]

Hmm... Now front brakes, I'd be taking a shot in the dark. I'm assuming though, that if they weren't supposed to rub ever so slightly, they'd just rub until that layer was gone, then no more rubbing. Not sure about disc brakes, that's a whole nother ball game.

Anyone else know about front brakes?

 

[fourwd1]

Front disks always drag a little.

The e-brake lever on the backing plate (where the cable hooks to) frequently seizes up. You can dissasemble and free it up.

 

[the_dingman]

The e-brake lever on the backing plate (where the cable hooks to) frequently seizes up. You can dissasemble and free it up.

Anyway to prevent this from happening again?

 

[sixonthefloor]

Yeah it's normal for a bit of drag from disk brakes. No drag though for is normal. My drivers side lever that goes into the drum brake is seized up so I'll be doing the same thing soon too. I just replaced the front brake cable which was very easy

 

[fourwd1]

Anyway to prevent this from happening again?

I coated them with a little anti-sieze. Doesn't hurt to inspect once in awhile either, just grab the cable and pull. That way you can see if it's starting to freeze up again.