Hi, so my 4runner was parked for some time and the parking brake was on. When I used it next the rear parking brakes were seized and both bell cranks where fully extended out from the back of the brake plate with the parking brake disengaged. I took off both rear brake drums and cleaned the rear brakes off with brake cleaner and was able to get the drivers side bell crank moving again and it appears to be operating correctly. But the passenger side is still unable to fully close so that the screw sits touching the back of the break plate. I took the bell crank off and it has a full range of motion it seems that the only thing stopping it from closing so that the screw sits against the back of the break plate is the cable is not long enough. Is this a fixed length static cable or can there be some slack stuck back in the cable housing over at the driver side. This is my first look at drum brakes and I don't think I'm full understanding how the cables and bell crank function together.

Thanks,
CanRunner

 

Just what year are you working on??

The cable can be adjusted but it also needs to be able to move where it is attached to the rear axle.

 

It's a 2001 3rdGen.

 

Ok I bet it's stuck at the attachment point as well.

 

Yup, that bracket that is on the drivers side holding the bell crank cable is seized. There is no movement, I've hit will some penetrating oil and will work on it. I'll report back later.

Thanks,

CanRunner

 

Thanks wyoming9 it was the bracket that attaches to the rear axle that was stuck. The cable between the bell cranks has the play for both bells to fully close now. They are not closing fully on there own though. They get to within 5mm of the back plate and need a push to fully close. This causes slack on the cable to the self adjusting lever though. I'm going to put it back together and see if some forward and reverses breaking loosens things up then do some reading on rear break adjustments.

Don't be susprised if I'm back later!

Thanks very much,

CanRunner

 

On Toyota`s that does nothing

The only way the e-brake moves is by applying it .

That is also what keeps the rear brakes adjusted.