I recently added 2.5 inches of lift to my 1997 4runner. I noticed the other day that when driving, my ebrake doesnt lock up the wheels when you pull hard up on it like it used to, before my lift. I decided to make an ebrake bracket like this one, http://fastq.com/~sschaefer/misc.html, but it still didnt fix the problem. What I am asking is Who has lift on their 3rd gen and does NOT have a panhard drop bracket? Does your ebrake lock up the wheels still? Thanks


ALSO: I read on Steve Schaefer's site that if you DO NOT have ABS you must do the panhard drop after your lift becuase your rear brakes wont work. I DO have ABS, so ???? Please tell me if you have ABS or not.

 

I have about 2.75" lift in the rear and a custom e-brake bracket. My e-brake will lock up the wheels, but only if you pull it to the very top of the levers movement. I have abs and no panhard drop, yet.

 

Seems like you can adjust the e-brake inside the rig by putting the rig in reverse and pumping the e-brake up a few times, like (3) and it self adjusts. Don't take that as gospel though.

Panhard, no e-bracket, no rear brake problems.

 

I tried the reverse ebrake adjusting, but no luck.

 

Very simple solution:

I had the same issue when lifting mine.

To the right side of the e-brake handle is an adusting screw. Use a deep 10mm socket and tighten it down about a good inch. You should have between 7-9 clicks before your e-brake is engaged. This worked for me and the e-brake now holds great. I found this by flipping through my Hanes manual.

Paul

 

Yea, I tried that too. No luck. Thanks though.

 

I have a 96 with ABS.

About 3 years ago, I added OME gear and got roughly 3" front and back. I do not have an e-brake bracket or the PH drop bracket. My e-brake always worked fine - up until this summer at least. I've had my rig to the dealer 3 times to have it fixed, and the fix never holds for more than a week or so. Not sure what the deal is.

 

I got one fabbed up a while back, haven't seen it in a while, but I bet it is in the mess in my shop somewhere. Never been used. If ya want it, PM me and we'll talk some compensatory $$$ for my effort to actually send it to you!

 

Make sure you don't have any rear brake seals leaking. My seals blew once and the e-brake didn't work at all until I got them fixed.

 

exactly what seals? thanks

 

What about manualy adjusting the rear brakes that should tighten things up, if there is to much play in them even adjustuing the lever nut wont take up all the slack.
I would adjust the adjusting nut by the hand brake to normal postion then adjust the rear drums them adjust the hand brake if its still needed.
my .02
Oh forgot to mention I am lifted about 3" also and have not had any problems before or after installing a drop bracket.

 

I already have one... but thanks.


As for the other replys, I will see if anything is wrong with the actual brakes. I will also try manually adjusting the cable. Thanks for the ideas!

 

Well, I went to a mechanic today, and he said that the ebrake isnt supposed to lock up the wheels and that mine is good enough. Is that right, because before my lift it did lock up the wheels?

 

Have you had your rear brakes worked on lately? If so it is possible that the shop forgot to re-install the spring that self adjusts the e-brake. That happened to me. Also check the rear brakes for oil seeping form a leaking rear axle seal as other have mentioned.

 

I have 3" of lift, no pan hard drop, and nothing done to the e-brake (no bracket added), and my e-brake works fine.

 

I have a 97 sr5 with ome 891s, e brake is perfect, i havent done the panhard rod drop

but may make a bracket tonight

the truck drive perfect but who knows may even drive better with the drop bracket

 

I fixed this a long time ago. Kinda weird how threads come back to life all of a sudden.

 

Well since its been resurrected how did you fix it?

 

Ummm... hmmm haha that was a while ago. After manually adjusting and adding the ebrake bracket I think it all worked it self out somehow.?.?. I think I still need to get new rear brake pads though.