85 Brake Help
 

I just bought an 85 4runner (my dream vehicle) Went and put new shoes on the rear. All went back together fine. Now the brakes are so tight the drums barely will go on and then they won't turn once they are on? Any thoughts?

loosen the parking brake adjusters. They havr an automatic adjuster that works with the parking brake handle. it was adjusted to the worn out shoes. just adjust them in a couple turns.. Inside the rear wheels.

I should have mentioned that the adjuster is all the way closed.

Are the parking brake levers loose (not rusted tight)?

The cables attach to the levers that move the brakes when the park brake is pulled. I had to pull the levers out and wire brush and grease them on our 85.

They are not frozen. They don't move super easy. I think it has to be something in the parking brake system. Would adjusting it by the transfer case help?

They should move very easy. If it is the cable not letting them move, then adjusting by the transfer case may help.

wow mixedup they reall yjumped all over this question one Pirate4x4 didn't they.
you can just dissconnect the e-brake cable at the drums if thats what you think is the problem but i think its just the adjusters i just replaced on of mine so if you find out thats the problem i could find the part number for you, they had to order mine directly from toyota so it took like a week.

Yeah Pirate ate me alive. Funny because my daily drives are a Silverado Super Sport and a Hemi Durango Limted. Oh well. I adjusted the e-brake cable by the transfer case and swapped the drums from side to side and it's perfect. I need one side adjusting hardware as well. Looks like a dealer only item. Now it's on to the rear sag and the shift control solenoids in the tranny. I love this thing though!!

yeah toyota's are so easy to work on but finding parts fro them is not. almost anything you would need to go to an autoparts store for will need to be ordered or at least retrived from a wearhouse.

what part exactly do you need? the brake adjuster or adjuster lever? let me know as i have the part numbers for both if those are what ya need.

I need the star wheel. Mine is a smooth wheel.

ok the "star wheel" is the brake adjuster. i will try to get the part number when i get home.

i remember when i did the brakes on one of my trucks, i had to adjust the nuts on the parking brake crank in front of the gas tank to be able to back them off enough.

Correct. I appreciate it. I got to go to the dealer for Tranny Shift Solenoids anyway. Love the super rare automatic transmission. Did I mention I have tilt wheel too!! It's the luxury edition!!