Parking brake rebuild

[thegipper]

So for the last two years, my parking brakes occasionally get stuck especially once it gets cold out.

I have to go in reverse for it to "pop" loose, then all is fine.

I tried pulling the boots back and spraying some white lithium grease on the bell cranks (the best I could) which seems to help for a couple weeks.

Drums are bone dry so no axle seal leakage or at least, not leaking enough to make it to the drums.

Anyone got a parts list for all of the parking brake components on/in the drums?

I'd imagine there is the bell cranks, the pivot pin and maybe a couple springs?

I'm thinking of just replacing everything.

Thoughts?

 

[I_bRAD]

So for the last two years, my parking brakes occasionally get stuck especially once it gets cold out.

I have to go in reverse for it to "pop" loose, then all is fine.

I tried pulling the boots back and spraying some white lithium grease on the bell cranks (the best I could) which seems to help for a couple weeks.

Drums are bone dry so no axle seal leakage or at least, not leaking enough to make it to the drums.

Anyone got a parts list for all of the parking brake components on/in the drums?

I'd imagine there is the bell cranks, the pivot pin and maybe a couple springs?

I'm thinking of just replacing everything.

Thoughts?

The pivot pin is cheap. The bellcrank can be cleaned and reused. The cable inside the drum is good as long as it's not broken. The main cable is sold as an assembly from toyota. I replaced mine this spring for the same reasons. Easy job excepting the bolt beside the gas tank which is fussy, but not impossible. Once water gets in the strands rust and swell then it's just a matter of time before it seizes completely.

 

[thegipper]

I don't think its the cable but the bell cranks themselves, I will have to double check.

I found this kit on Amazon which appears to have everything for the parking brake. It's a dorman kit, anyone have any opinions on it?

https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-924-7...&qid=1539867300&sr=8-1&keywords=DORMAN+924753

Or should I just buy new OEM pins and springs?

 

[m0ist]

I don't think its the cable but the bell cranks themselves, I will have to double check.

I found this kit on Amazon which appears to have everything for the parking brake. It's a dorman kit, anyone have any opinions on it?

https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-924-7...&qid=1539867300&sr=8-1&keywords=DORMAN+924753

Or should I just buy new OEM pins and springs?

I used this with no complaints. HOWEVER, my bellcranks were completely seized. It sounds like yours can be greased up and rebuilt. I'd say buy it just to be safe, but try to rebuild yours first. If they work fine then just return the new ones back to amazon.

 

[habanero]

Mine was the parking brake cable, would freeze up when cold and wet. Could usually yank it loose when it would freeze up. In my case the bell cranks were free and could be observed moving when the cable was freed up.

For the cable I used Dorman Tru-Torque #C95320- still working great after 5 years.

Starts post 1369
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f200/habaneros-1996-4runner-build-up-thread-201751/index69.html

 

[I_bRAD]

I used this with no complaints. HOWEVER, my bellcranks were completely seized. It sounds like yours can be greased up and rebuilt. I'd say buy it just to be safe, but try to rebuild yours first. If they work fine then just return the new ones back to amazon.

Mine were completely seized as well, but once I pounded out the pin (destroyed) and cleaned them up with a wire wheel they were serviceable. The new pin is like 2 bucks

 

[nissanh]

Make sure the brake adjusters (bell cranks) are going to the correct side. I once had the adjusters switched (left to right and vise versa) and saw one wheel is getting locked while other is getting loose when park brake is applied.

 

[TheDurk]

Make sure the brake adjusters (bell cranks) are going to the correct side. I once had the adjusters switched (left to right and vise versa) and saw one wheel is getting locked while other is getting loose when park brake is applied.

Adjusters (the screw thingy with the star wheel) and the bell crank (flat lever that goes on back of drum connected to e-brake cable) are two very different things. I can see how swapping the adjusters would do exactly what you said, but I don't think you could even put it together with swapped bell cranks, let alone have happen what you describe.

Bell crank:

Star wheel adjuster:

 

[nobb]

Disconnect the parking brake cable and see how freely the bell crank pivots. If it's moving freely, it's most likely the parking brake cable. Over time it deteriorates and moisture gets inside. It's incredibly hard for ice to be able to seize the bell crank itself because the spring is pretty darn strong.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Like the wise old woman [MENTION=5345]habanero[/MENTION] said, my money would be on the cable. I do have to ask though Mike when the last time you have had the drums off. If your adjuster and/or the cranks aren’t moving well, some lube may be in order.

 

[thegipper]

Like the wise old woman [MENTION=5345]habanero[/MENTION] said, my money would be on the cable. I do have to ask though Mike when the last time you have had the drums off. If your adjuster and/or the cranks aren’t moving well, some lube may be in order.

It's been a few months since i had the drums off.

Looks like I need to do some more investigating before I start buying parts.

Thanks guys

 

[habanero]

old woman....

Truth! :laugh:

This thread is a good reminder that this sprung chicken needs to get under there and make sure all those things are free and lubed before the ground does that cold wet salty icky thing that it does that I don't like crawling around on.

 

[TheDurk]

Disconnect the parking brake cable and see how freely the bell crank pivots. If it's moving freely, it's most likely the parking brake cable. Over time it deteriorates and moisture gets inside. It's incredibly hard for ice to be able to seize the bell crank itself because the spring is pretty darn strong.

This is simply wrong. The ice adds to the corrosion that the salt creates on the bell crank, and you get a stuck crank first thing on a cold morning, then it loosens up. When you get under there and take the cable and spring off, you need a hammer to make that bell crank move.

Not saying the cable can't be a problem, but do not rule out ice on the bell crank if the issue is on a cold morning. Take it apart and find out. Could be both at the age of our trucks.

 

[Hammit]

My Pbrake was pretty messed up when I bought my 99. one bell crank was completely seized up, it surely could have been cleaned up and used, but I had a taco rear end sitting at work with brand new cranks on it so I dropped one of those in.

Much to my dismay the brake still wouldn't release on its own, I got into the habit of walking to the back of my truck and kicking one of the bell cranks with my steal toe before going anywhere!

Anyway I figured I would just try servicing the cable before dropping cash on a new one. I pulled it off and hung it off my second story porch, with the hand lever end up, I the spent a couple hours periodically spraying penetrating oil down and working the cable back and forth. Didn't take too long to free up so I put it right back in and it works like a charm.

That was about 6 weeks ago now, we have had plenty of wet weather but not much freezing yet, so I'll see how it holds up.