Parking brake issue

My e brake on my truck works sometimes and sometimes it doesn't would it be the cable goin bad

 

What happens when it doesn't work?

 

crawl under it like I do with a can of liquid wrench, and lub the cable and linkage, work the brake in the cab a few times and repeat if necessary. that is a first step.

 

My truck will roll in neutral when it doesn't work

 

Block the front tires, jack up the rear, remove wheels and drums, and inspect the rear brakes.

Check for leaking gear oil (from a bad oil seal) getting on the shoes .

Check for a leaking wheel cylinder getting brake fluid on the shoes.

If there is enough lining left, clean the brakes. They could be caked
up with crud after years of neglect. Make sure all the parts that should
be moving are still moving, including the e-brake lever. Take fine sand-paper to the shoes and drums to remove any glazing.

If the lining is almost gone, replace the shoes ( and maybe the drums ).

 

How many clicks does it take to pull back on the handle when it does work?

 

I don't know I always pull it all the way

 

Best thing to do is crawl up underneath the truck and do a visual inspection as mentioned. Look at all the points of the cable connections and look for something that does not look right. We can't give you an internet diagnosis without more input from you other than "it works sometimes and doesn't work other times". lol

 

Count the clicks.

It should be between 12 and 18 when the e-brake engages.

If it's not, it might just be as simple as adjusting it:

http://www.lieblweb.com/ebrakeadjustment.html

 

12 and 18!?!

Mine only needs 3 or 4.

 

lol... it's time to adjust it.

Very simple process

 

Ok thanks

 

4Runner, 4wd and 2wd require different "clicks". My 2wd Tacoma uses the "pull" handle and should have been at 12-18 clicks, was at 39. It just required crawling under it with two wrenches (I think 12mm but could be wrong) and tightening the adjuster rod. Works great now at 15 clicks and the truck doesn't move in gear (automatic) at idle.

"Lever" type in between the seats I'm sure require much fewer clicks.

 

Mine is way past 18 clicks and adjusted all the way. Think I need a new cable?

 

That's what the dealership set it at after I asked them to adjust it on the last service. Hmmm, maybe I should go count them again.

 

The service manual says between 12 and 18

 

my truck will roll, even on some very slight inclines, unless I yarn on that hand-brake to the point I get nervous I'm gonna snap something
Even then, If i'm doing some climbing or crawling (get on a moderate-steep incline) it won't hold me, and I have to heel and toe the brake/gas pedals to not roll
It also always rattles out a bit, causing the E-Brake light on my dash to come on as I'm driving down the road; and I'm too OCD about lights coming on in my dash to where I can't ignore it, and am pushing that thing back in like every 4 minutes
Sometimes it'll get sorta stuck on too - Gotta fiddle with it a bunch to release it

Mine clicks about 22-24 times before I get to the point I think I'm about to bust something
Gonna try out the adjustment procedure on that link to tighten it this morning maybe; hope the fix is as simple as that

 

All you guys with parking brake problems .... instead of ignoring real advice and comparing clicks, get under your damn truck with some tools and GET DIRTY.

 

Sometimes it's nice to read the instructions before you start wrenching on things like brakes... them things come in HANDY when they work exactly as their supposed to

Read the instructional posted somewhere on this thread and did this not too long ago
It's incredibly easy... if you've ever adjusted the brakes on a bicycle, it's almost exactly the same idea'r

 

At least take a glance at where the cable attaches to the brake handle and see if it is starting to fray and break. If not you can adjust or move on to rear axle and rest of ebrake system.