Broken parking brake or other issue or both? First issue with 10 year old Tacoma

Hey all,

New member here. Just posted my intro. I've learned a lot from TW so I'm confident someone here will know the answer to my question.

My trusty 2007 Tacoma TRD Sport AC 6 speed (76k miles) just developed its first problem. I'm the first and only owner. The truck has only ever needed fuel, tires, wipers, and oil changes. Truck even has original brakes and rotors (I try not to use the middle pedal ).

So here's the issue. I use my parking brake every time I park the truck. Last week, the truck was parked on a hill with the parking brake engaged. Start truck, release parking brake, truck does not move. Depress brake pedal fully, engage parking brake, release parking brake, heard a click, it worked! Same thing happened again two days later. Same fix worked again.

A few days later I took the truck to a friend's garage to have him swap snow tires/wheels with summer tires/wheels. So we take a look at the parking brake cable and see that part of the cable is broken/stretched (see picture-driver's side rear. passenger side looked similar but not as bad). The parking brake still worked as long as the brake pedal was fully depressed while engaging the parking brake. My mechanic friend said don't worry about it right now if it still works...

Fast forward to yesterday. The problem got worse. Truck brakes locked and would not release. The brakes seemed very locked, almost as if the front brakes locked (which I know are not connected to the parking brake). The fix I used before did not work. I tried going back in forth in 1st and Reverse- did not work.

The only way I can get the brakes unlocked now is if I depress the brake pedal to the floor (almost standing on it), while fully engaging the parking brake, release parking brake quickly, release brake pedal. Again press brake pedal to the floor, release brake pedal, and repeat until I hear a click/thud and the brakes release. I had to pump the brake pedal more than 5 times to get the brakes to release.

Currently, the truck is sitting in the driveway in 1st gear with the tires chalked and the parking brake off. Fortunately, I have another vehicle so the Tacoma can sit until I fix it. I apologize for the long post, just wanted to be detailed.

My plan was to replace the rear parking brake cables. Could this problem be any other issue? What do you all think? I know there are members out there with more knowledge than me! Thanks in advance.

 

Mine are like that and haven't been an issue. Last time offroad my rear brakes locked up while I was parked. I rocked the truck forward and back and they released. I haven't taken the drums off yet to inspect. My guess is dirt or in your case salt/water/ice got in there.

 

Besides replacing the bad cable, sounds like you need to adjust the rear brakes. ...

 

But don't the rear brakes adjust every time put put down the parking brake?

 

They are supposed to adjust while backing up and braking, doesn't always work.
I find myself having to press the parking brake further down, indicates need for adjustment.
You'll find the brake pedal is firmer after adjustment.

 

I just checked mine and the internals look fine.
*pic from last time I had it open(brake cable still broken)