2012 Taco - Emergency Brake not wanting to release back wheels when released

Morning Guys - Decided to post this question here since it is not really a wiring or data related issue (I do not think)....On my 100% stock 2012 Taco 2 wheel drive crew cab truck when I engage the emergency brake inside the cab everything works like it is supposed to work - I push the petal down to engage and I push it again to dis-engage.

When I engage everything works perfectly but when I go to dis-engage this is where I am having a problem. The brakes do not want to release immediately and I can tell they are still engaged as I start to move forward or backward after releasing the emergency brake petal. Eventually (5 to 15 seconds later) I can tell they have released and I am on my way.....

What is going on here? Bad Master Cylinder or weak pistons on the disc brakes or something else????? I ask because I wanted guidance from this forums brain trust before I go to my local shop to have this fixed (do not want them breaking one off in my - so to say)... Thanks for any feedback....Mark

 

The master cylinder doesn't affect the emergency brake as the emergency brake is mechanical and not hydraulic. The disc brakes are in the front and also do not have anything to do with the emergency brake.

I would first pull the rear wheels and brake drums and inspect the cleanliness of the rear brake mechanism. Look for broken springs as well. If that looks good I would put the drums back on and remove the console to watch what's going on with the emergency brake cable while operating the emergency brake in an attempt to see if it's sticking in front of or behind the emergency brake cable adjustment point that's under the console.

 

Thank you Sir - I will do everything you recommended in the order your identified. Again thanks for your guidance and I will post my findings this weekend when I am able to get these back wheels off and see what is going on.....Mark

 

Is this new this winter and is your truck parked outside in freezing temps?

The above troubleshooting is a great procedure, but it also may simply be a frozen e-brake cable... (like this thread https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/frozen-e-brake.525447/#post-16745086 )

 

Does this occur all the time or only after the truck sits for a while. If it's after the truck sits for a while it could just be moisture in the brakes that freezes. When you drive around for a while your brakes heat up ,apply your parking brake if it doesn't stick chances are everything is ok. Muddy had a great idea also

 

No Sir - I only use the emergency brake when I have my aluminum boat attached. I do not park this truck outside at night (great question) and being in Mississippi the temp's when this has been occurring are well above freezing. I am betting there may be some dirt or mud in these rear wheel hubs because several months ago the rear wheels were exposed to some limited mud holes...…

Thanks for asking this question....Mark

 

Reading what others have stated, I'll include my .02$ Based on what you said about the parking brakes setting but not releasing leads me to believe the issue lies within your rear drums. You'll need to remove your tires and pull the drums off of both sides. If you haven't done any work on your rear brakes before then I advise you to take pictures on how everything is set up so that you can put them back together in the same way. Some tools you'll need besides basic hand tools would be a wire brush for any rust/brake dust, high-temp brake grease, brake-kleen fluid, and copper based anti-seize for the pad shoe plates (prevents squeaks/binding). Since you'll be in your drums, you may want to replace your brake pads if they are showing signs of uneven wear, not necessary but I would since you've got everything open. You might want buy a packet of new brake hardware and replace the springs and guide pins depending on the age and driving conditions you've subjected your vehicle to, like stuff could be rusty and worn out. There's an adjustment screw that you can reach through a hole in the back of the drum that you'll need to crank with a flat head screw driver to back off the pads from the drum so that you can remove said drum. Liberally spray down everything with brake cleaner and scrub with wire brush. Check the condition of your parking brake cable. You'll see a clevis (hat-pin) and your parking brake cable, it should move freely when you apply your parking brake. If it's not moving when you check both the driver and passenger sides, then your cable may have become dislodged under your floor. Since you drive the crew cab, it'll be beneath your bench seat where the cable branches into the 'Y' to head to each drum. I haven't worked on a crew cab so I don't know for certain if there's an access hole or if you have to pull back your carpet. You'll have to forgive me on that one. Check to ensure the cable is seated in that bracket and operates smoothly.


Just a heads up as to what you'll be getting yourself into.

-J