Troubleshooting e-brake/ hand brake

[SaxAndLiz]

I have a 1999 4Runner and I am trying to figure out what's wrong with the e-brake. I removed the center console and found this (after removing the two nuts that secure the cable on the top; the hand lever is down at the resting position):

It seems the cable has been pulled through all the way and is at full tension. I am unable to push the cable down or pull it using the brake lever.

This is the picture from the back on the driver's side:

This is from the back on the passenger's side:

If I pull on the e-brake cable connecting the two sides, the brakes deploy. So I assume that rules out the bell cranks and the drum brakes. How do I fix this?

-Sax

 

[19963.4lsr5]

I would think about removing the ebrake cable from the handle and see if the cable is seized. Was the cable replaced recently?

There is a procedure to adjust the ebrake starting at the bell cranks at the drums.


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[SaxAndLiz]

I would think about removing the ebrake cable from the handle and see if the cable is seized. Was the cable replaced recently?

There is a procedure to adjust the ebrake starting at the bell cranks at the drums.


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Nope. The cable wasn't replaced recently. Perhaps never. I removed the cable from the handle right before I took the pictures and it it back in.. How do I tell if it's seized? What is it seized to? I looked under the floor and didn't find the casing damaged.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

The other end of the cable is at the rear axle. It should move freely when both ends are free. The Teflon coating rips and water gets into the wire and it will rust enough the cable will be stuck.

Do you use you ebrake often or hardly ever?


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[SaxAndLiz]

I was contemplating whether I should free the cable at the rear wheel to see if it moves. I guess I will remove the pin that holds the main cable to the driver side bellcrank and free the cable. I have tried to figure out how the whole e-brake system assembly works together in a functioning system and what part moves what. That's still a mystery.

I also don't understand how it might've rusted inside. There's no break in the casing. I am assuming that's the Teflon coating. There was a time when the sunroof would leak rain into the center console cupholders. Maybe that leaked down?

I live in East TN; plenty of mountains here. So parking without the e-brake is not a lot of fun. It's not a daily driver so I can take my time repairing it. I just want to get it fixed without throwing parts at it.

I will report back on the cable when it's freed. Thanks.

 

[SaxAndLiz]

I detached the cable from the driver-side bellcrank assembly. I am still unable to pull or push the cable from inside the 4Runner at the other end by the hand brake. Does this mean it got rusted inside the Teflon casing and needs to be replaced?

-Sax