EBrake adjustment?

13, 2.7, 5sp manual, just under 40k miles

I've noticed the handle for the ebrake doesn't feel as "tight" as it once did. In other words I have to pull the handle further towards me before feeling resistance. The brake itself perfectly fine even on steep inclines. When I bought the truck in 2015 the dealer had to do a repair of sorts to the handle - it operated well but the dash light would remain on. They fixed it and it hasn't acted up since but thought I'd mention.

I imagine the drums are self adjusting so I wouldn't think there would be a need for an adjustment on the brake handle mechanism. Maybe this is normal? Cable stretching a bit? Shoes wearing? I admit I haven't pulled the drums off to see the condition of the shoes but I've read about Tacos with double my miles and the shoes are still good.

 

couple things.
1. Tacoma drum brakes self-adjust by using the ebrake WHENEVER you park. This is the ONLY way Toyota designed the drums to self adjust. Unlike american cars that use the wagner type setup, where stopping abruptly while in reverse adjusts the shoes out.
2. There is an access port to adjust the drums at the top/rear of each rear brake backing plate. Although in reality, I have found it a royal PITA trying to adjust the drums there. I have found it easier to remove the wheel and drum and turn the adjusting wheel enough so that the drum is hard to put back over the shoes. not impossible, that is too much, but there should definitely be some friction. Making sure the shoes are adjusted correctly will most likely fix how much you have to pull the eBrake handle up.
3. There is probably a way to tighten the cable. In my 07 the eBrake is on the floor but by removing all the interior trim around the gear shift you gain access to the eBrake cable and the adjusting nuts for it's tension. Again, make sure the shoes are adjusted first.
4. Your shoes are probably fine, barely used

Good luck

 

In my experience the drums need maintenance, specifically the star wheel needs tightened, maybe at 10K mile intervals. I've done it myself, but the last time I had Firestone do it for me for $25. Rear brake clean and adjust. Money well spent, IMO

 

Thanks for the replies. I'm an avid parking brake user. I set it each time I park, so they are not misadjusted from lack of use - gunked up perhaps.

Looks like I'll be pulling the drums and cleaning things up. I've also never had success adjusting star wheels by popping the rubber grommet out on any vehicle and I too remove the drum, adjust, refit, test and repeat until satisfied. I've been meaning to do an entire brake inspection anyway, at times on the highway I think I feel a minor pulse from possibly bad front rotors. The Toyota certified checklist did mention resurfaced front rotors so perhaps they are due for replacement. Misadjusted drums could have even been the cause of overworked front brakes.

 

yes, misadjusted rear brakes will put more load on the front brakes. Pulsation can be as simple as not torquing the lug nuts to proper spec, let alone hazing. I would recommend NOT resurfacing the rotors. Had mine done ONCE, it was after that I then had problems with pulsation.

good luck

 

I keep the parking brake adjusted by using it to slow the truck about once per month. After I do this, the primary brakes are much more responsive in slowing the truck so that tells me the auto-adjustment is working properly. I haven't cleaned out the drums mechanism in forever but they are still working fine. Every time I take the truck to the shop for a tire rotation (required to maintain their warranty on the new tires), I ask them to check the brake linings which means they remove the drums, maybe this helps to clean it out a little. All I know they are low maintenance and work fine. Somehow I would still prefer discs at the rear...