Tightening parking brake

[rightyouareken]

Hi all,

The parking brake in my 2020 is pretty soft/weak. I have a steep driveway and the parking brake doesn't really hold the truck on the hill, so it rests on the parking pawl. I don't love that. My buddie's 2020 also has a soft parking brake he says. My 3rd gen's parking brake is stronger, and my wife's RDX's parking brake in contrast is much much tighter/stronger. I've done a little research and come across some instructions on adjusting the parking brake with the star adjuster in the rear parking brake drum assembly. I might take it in to the dealer to have them adjust it sometime, but just wondering how much they'll be able to improve it.

Has anyone had luck significantly tightening up the parking brake on their 5th gen via the star adjusters in the back, or are the parking brakes on these things just generally pretty soft?

 

[Big B]

I agree the 2020 parking brake is way to soft.....so I'm subscribed. Im coming up on my 30k service so Im going to have them adjust it then.

 

[jp.vegas]

Mine started hard but it's turning soft :shocked:

My Tundra was always crappy feeling and I honestly don't remember the 4th gen at all.

I think the cables just stretch out over time. Nothing to do but tighten/adjust it from time to time.

 

[Unretired]

Hi all,

The parking brake in my 2020 is pretty soft/weak. I have a steep driveway and the parking brake doesn't really hold the truck on the hill, so it rests on the parking pawl. I don't love that. My buddie's 2020 also has a soft parking brake he says. My 3rd gen's parking brake is stronger, and my wife's RDX's parking brake in contrast is much much tighter/stronger. I've done a little research and come across some instructions on adjusting the parking brake with the star adjuster in the rear parking brake drum assembly. I might take it in to the dealer to have them adjust it sometime, but just wondering how much they'll be able to improve it.

Has anyone had luck significantly tightening up the parking brake on their 5th gen via the star adjusters in the back, or are the parking brakes on these things just generally pretty soft?

I adjusted mine by the star twice in 10 months and it always softened up again.
Last time I dug under center console and tightened up the cable adjuster thinking maybe that was slipping.
So far it seems to be working the best and hasn't softened up after a month or so.

I read that you don't have to take the console storage off - just pop off the plate with the cupholders - but I couldn't get my hand and tools in there.
Ended up pulling the storage console back about 10 inches for some room.
Not hard, just annoying.

 

[Gclark949]

My 2016 is also really weak and barely can hold the truck on a moderate slope. I think most of this is just a poor design and will not be substantially different after adjustment. And the star nut thing is not accessible from the backside where they used to put rubber plugs in the old days.

 

[engeeoh01]

Mine was soft from Day 1. Didn’t know how loose the brake was until I tested it one day. Parked on a slight incline, set the brake and left the vehicle in neutral. Started to roll backwards on its own. 9 clicks from the top position to be exact, still rolling. Factory spec is 5-7 clicks for the parking brake.


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[Teamoatmealpie]

Ditto, seems the adjustment never lasts. My drive is steep and I find if I set the park brake then drive forward a few inches it will set/stick.

Working parking brake is on my wish list that Toyota would fix -

 

[1000MPH]

Ive tested the parking brake on incredibly steep hills. It’ll ultimately hold but you gotta put your foot through it like your Fred Flintstone. I’ve definitely been caught out not pressing hard enough. I want a hand brake!

 

[llDemonll]

Ive tested the parking brake on incredibly steep hills. It’ll ultimately hold but you gotta put your foot through it like your Fred Flintstone. I’ve definitely been caught out not pressing hard enough. I want a hand brake!

Hand brake isn't the issue. It's just how it's adjusted. 4Runner parking brake is terrible. Mine barely holds on what I would consider a moderate slope driveway. Semi-steep, but not steep. I have to park the nose way up near the garage to get the parking brake to take the weight of the vehicle instead of the transmission.

 

[salsanacho]

So how does one adjust the brake? Is that something a DIYer can do?

 

[patkelly4370]

How often do you use the "parking" brake? Or do you just use the shifter placed in park?
The parking brake is self-adjusting with use. So I set the parking brake every time (even on flat terrain) and never have an issue.
This bothers the rest of my family when I drive our other vehicles as they seldom use it.

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[Photogr]

Subscribed.

 

[JLTD]

How often do you use the "parking" brake? Or do you just use the shifter placed in park?
The parking brake is self-adjusting with use. So I set the parking brake every time (even on flat terrain) and never have an issue.
This bothers the rest of my family when I drive our other vehicles as they seldom use it.

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Interesting...I'll have to start using mine more often and see if it tightens up. Usually don't use it when parking on a flat area.

 

[rightyouareken]

How often do you use the "parking" brake? Or do you just use the shifter placed in park?
The parking brake is self-adjusting with use. So I set the parking brake every time (even on flat terrain) and never have an issue.
This bothers the rest of my family when I drive our other vehicles as they seldom use it.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

I use it every time I park a vehicle on every vehicle I’ve ever owned. So it’s not a “lack of use” thing for me. It’s just really weak. Hasn’t improved in 6k miles so far.


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[trapshot68]

PDF from a service manual.

 

[Ryance39]

PDF from a service manual.

Good share. Was thinking there was probably something from the service manual.

 

[1000MPH]

Hand brake isn't the issue. It's just how it's adjusted. 4Runner parking brake is terrible. Mine barely holds on what I would consider a moderate slope driveway. Semi-steep, but not steep. I have to park the nose way up near the garage to get the parking brake to take the weight of the vehicle instead of the transmission.

I’m crying for a handbrake to use while driving. Two foot driving doesn’t work well when brake assist kicks in.

 

[llDemonll]

I’m crying for a handbrake to use while driving. Two foot driving doesn’t work well when brake assist kicks in.

Not even sure what you're asking for here. You want to do skids?

 

[Jono.ful]

IIRC, you don't even need to take the tire off to adjust the parking brake, this would be a stupid thing to pay the dealer to adjust. If you have a flat blade screw driver, you should be able to adjust it yourself.

 

[Mudballz]

Mine start to roll back as well but turning it to face down it held but backwards facing didn’t hold weird :fish:
Probably a poor design
Mike