I bought my '99 4Runner last year with 63k on the clock, and immediately took it in for the 60k service package. Prior to having the service, I noticed excessive brake pedal travel. The shop advised me that this was due to the rear brakes being out of adjustment, and sure enough after the service the brakes felt 100% better. I now have almost 70k on the truck and notice the brake pedal slowly requiring more travel and effort (as well as the parking brake lever being "looser").

Question- is this a normal interval for rear brake adjustment or is there something else going on??

Thanks for any info...

Kevin

 

I don't know what the recommended intervals are, but I get my rear brakes adjusted everytime I do my chassis greasing (every 6 months). It's also a great time to do driveline/suspension checks, so this way I won't forget.

Al

 

The brake pedal travel on my '00 has never been to my satisfaction because I was accustomed to the brakes on my '90 being very responsive in comparison. I don't know if it's a "3rd gen thing" or what...

 

The rear drum brakes are supposed to adjust themselves automatically but you have to use the parking brake to do so as that's how the adjusters work. Most of the time the reason they're falling out of adjustment is either because the owner never uses the parking brake, or the last time they were serviced the adjusters were reinstalled improperly or not sufficiently cleaned and lubricated.

 

For the automatic adjusters to work you have to back up and then pull the E-brake to stop. Unless you have a stuck adjuster this should adjust them properly.

 

Adjust your rear brakes and amaze your self...

Gadget

www.GadgetOnline.com

 

Backing up is not required, that's a completely different design you're thinking of. Simply pulling the brake handle is all that's required when they're operating properly.

 

Thanks for all the input. Gadget, it sounds like you believe adjusting the rear brakes will do the trick? Is this the same adjustment as for the parking brake?