Emergency Brake Lever installed incorrectly at back of plate

Hi All,

I'm a new Tacoma owner of a 2004 3.4L with drum brakes in the rear. It has a 122,000 on it and a salvage title. In NC that means it was reported totaled(damage exceeded more the 24% of the cars value). According the Car fax report the damage involved the left rear part of the truck. The brakes are working great, however, the brake warning light is on and the parking brake does not work! The front pads need replacing and I will replace the pads and rotors. I don't think this is why the brake light is lit. Upon inspection of the parking brake cable at the lft rear, it is unattached to the lever at the back of the plate. When I went to hook it up it will not reach the lever from the back of the plate by a long shot. I don't think that adjustment will fix this. The receiving lever is pointed towards the front of the truck. I THINK that it needs to be pointing towards the rear of the truck. Is it a big deal to just flip this lever around? Could a "right handed lever" been inadvertently been installed during the presumptive repair? Am I making this too complicated?

 

Please take some pictures

Where the bell crank attaches to the cable it should be straight unless things changed quite a lot after 2000

Perhaps it was bent and never replaced

See if the light goes out when the parking brake lever is pushed in all the way

Using the parking brake keeps the shoes adjusted

 

Hi Wyoming,

I think that I figured it out. A RH backing plate was installed on the LH side during the repair. So, to change out the backing plate, how difficult is that? Looks as though I'll have to pull the axle. What seals will be needed or do folks just use the old ones? Assuming that I'm junkyard bound?

 

Not sure, but, from the backing plate donor truck, you may need all the brake parts and pieces as well.
I believe the wheel bearing is pressed into the backing plate. Not an easy job.

 

Thanks Rick and Wyoming.

Let me ask another question. Do I actually need to do anything necessarily? Its' an automatic. I never use the parking brake. I did pull the drum and the shoes were adjusted up and everything was in order. Why do I need a parking brake that I'll never use?

 

Well the Parking brake use is what keeps the rear shoes adjusted .

If your not using the Parking brake when you notice the pedal travel is getting longer you can ajust adjust the brakes manually

It is a personal thing what ever works best for you

 

Personally, I'd never own a vehicle without a working e-brake.
Also, it might fail a safety inspection in some states.