Park brake won't hold

If the park brake isn't holding as well as it did, what are the most likely causes?

 

Adjustment

 

And where would i make that adjustment? At the handle, under the dash? Or under the truck?

I haven't gone looking for where to adjust it, yet. Thought i'd ask first.
Thanks.

 

It's under the boot on the shift knob. unscrew the shift knob, CAREFULLY pry up the boot (plastic snaps) with a putty knife, or something flat. Your adjustment nuts are in there. You'll need a couple wrenches and some patience. Should lock up at about 7 to 10 clicks.

 

Inspect and Adjust your rear brakes first....

 

True.

 

All of the above but being a 07 prolly stock?
Crawl under the rear and grab the cable if it pulls away from the backing plate you need e-brake cables. If your noticing your e-brake sucks prolly both sides are broke. The piece on the end inside is aluminum and is known to fail.

Damm cables are only 6-8 months old and have rust! Vt likes it’s salt and salt brine.

 

How to adjust the rear drum brakes:

http://www.customtacos.com/tech.old.../06toyrm/06toypdf/06rmsrc/rm2006ta/042010.pdf

First Jack up the rear end on Jack stands and remove both wheels/tires. Release the parking brake.

ADJUST REAR DRUM BRAKE SHOE CLEARANCE
(a) Provisionally install the hub nuts.
(b) Remove the hole plug, and turn the adjuster to expand the shoe until the drum locks.
(c) Using a screwdriver, release the adjuster 15 notches.
(d) Install the hole plug.

 

Thanks guys!
I'm hoping to make time to look at this tomorrow.

 

Close! It's under the cup holders just behind the shifter.

I took the other suggestions first and checked out the drums and pads before making any adjustments....

 

Inspecting the drums and pads definitely sounds like the thing to do before making any cable adjustments.
Here's what I found....

Driver side...
After a good flush with brake cleaner,
Pad thickness, 2.5-5mm (min-max)
Drum surface, very small grooving... about as much as a vinyl record.
The cable does pull away from the backing plate as Jeffch suggested it might.

Passenger side...
Pad thickness and drums are about the same as the driver side.
Cable also pulls away from backing plate.
Grease! Or grease like build-up mostly around the edges of the pads and yes, some on the drum as well.
Would this mean replacing the wheel/brake cylinder?

If/when I'm replacing the brake pads, how necessary is the spring removal tool (09718-00010)

How about the brake drum gasket?

Anything else?

 

Hard to tell but that looks like rear axle seal.
Don’t see anything from the wheel cyl. In the pic.

 

I suppose that seems likely. Any suggestions on how i can be sure? It doesn't seem to be on any of the other pad/drum components or springs.

What else could it be?

 

Wheel cyl or axle seal. Nothing else is in there.
You can pull the wheel cyl boot away a little to see if any bk fluid comes'out.

The axle leak can be a very thin line hard to notice under the axle by the housing. It will weep to the backing plate and collect on the shoe.
So if it is leaking your talking all new brakes and axle bearings and seals.

 

E-brake cable is broken at backing plate.
Only one side is working thus not holding as well.
Granted the axle seal leaking isn’t helping the braking situation.
Just did mine last summer.
Prolly won’t be long before you lose the other side just a heads up.
Just noticed you say both sides pull away do you have any e brake?


I’d hold off on pads until fixing the leak if you can.
Brakes worked ok?
The brake tool is handy but it can be done without one.
Buy the spring and pin kit and clean the back side of the backing plate so the pins seat. Easier to compress the springs with the pins seated well.

 

Bring plenty of patience op I found the rear drums to be a pain in the ass to service

 

I have struggled with bad 'parking brake' as they are now called so they don't get sued for telling you they are 'emergency brakes.' - Damn lawyers.

But let me go on. You also have an adjustment you can make above the parking brake lever (on the automatic trans models). I have done EVERYTHING and they are still marginal. When I say everything, I mean, all OEM brake cables, shoes, hardware, drums, backing plates, etc. Give me discs or give me death!

Good luck.

 

Interesting

I have a 01 and 17 taco

Both rear drums

Both trucks parked at almost 19% grade

P brake (am a lawyer), holds excellent

 

Holds excellent is great. The only thing I can really think of is the wide band of tolerances for Mexican made trucks.

How does is do when you are going 30 mph or so and using them in a simulated emergency. Or in lawyer speak, in an impromptu parking situation.

 

Neither of mine are Mexican made thus I can’t comment.