I have searched, but have found nothing. My E-Brake hasn't worked since I have owned this truck, so I decided it was time to fix it. The bell crank adjustment bolt has been adjusted in numerous ways. Tried the driving in reverse trick. So I thought maybe something isn't working inside the drum?
Any ideas?

EDIT: There is a ton of slack in the cable when the E-brake isn't engaged. Where is the tension-er adjuster at?

 

The adjustment is on the right side just in front of the gas tank.

Can you move the bell cranks freely in the brackets .

With these Toyotas backing up does nothing for the brakes the rear shoes are adjusted up by using the e-brake

if you have driven any length of time i would venture that the rear brakes will need adjustment before this all works like it should.

 

Check that the bellcrank levers are not frozen in their brackets on the backing plates.

EDIT: Oops, like wyoming9 already said...

 

Yup. Using the E-brake is what adjusts them.
The rear brakes have to be adjusted properly, the cables have to move, the star wheels in the brakes have to turn and the locks that keep them from backing out have to work too.

You might try repeatedly applying and releasing the e-brake, say 50 times or so, and see if the amoung of pull where the e-brake handle starts developing tension changes, signalling the brakes are being adjusted by the e-brake. Sometimes, applying the e-brake with your foot on the pedal helps too.

 

the little levers on the drum are frozen up.. How do you unfreeze them?
I took the tires off the rear and sprayed some PB blaster and took a hammer to them. Didn't help though. They move a bit but how far are they supposed to move?
And now there is a ton of tension in the cable.. So I can barely pull up on the e-brake.. I would say I can only get about 8 or 9 clicks on it.

 

Nothing I tried worked: soaking in solvent, heat, beating the blankety out of them. Had to break down and buy them from the stealer - brackets, levers & pins. And I certainly slathered the lever and pin in anti-seize compound before assembling.

It was great to have rear brakes again, tho.