Rear wheels lock in neutral with parking break set to 1-2 clicks

I have been attempting to tension my winch rope using a method described in offroad forums:

• Hook up the winch line to a stable object
• Put the vehicle in neutral
• Set the parking brake to 2 clicks.
• Winch toward the object while ensuring smooth winch spooling.

However, I've found that the rear wheels completely lock up with any parking brake, even one or two clicks, when in neutral. They lock on dry pavement in addition to sand/gravel. I can sit in the truck and use my foot brake and it works fine. I can even have the hand brake set and apply the foot brake and this unlocks the rear wheels, but I can't be outside the truck to ensure smooth spooling.

Is there a way to apply one or two clicks of the parking brake, not be sitting in the truck, have the truck in neutral, and not get the rear wheels to lock? Is there some automated feature I need to disengage?

I'm interested in better understanding when the rear wheels completely lock up and how to disable this.

This is a TRD OR LB DC.

Thanks

 

Adjust the parking brake to be a bit looser.

I'm assuming this technique wants 'resistance' on the rear wheels, but not locked.

 

One click locks the wheels, i.e. any amount of parking brake locks them. It seems to be a Boolean function. Applying the foot brakes unlocks them so having a total amount of more brake lets it roll. Its not about the amount of parking brake.

 

Get a helper to sit in car and apply the foot brake lightly.

 

Winch one of those large trash bins (empty) towards you. Then leave it.

 

Thanks guys, I'm interested in understanding the parking break 'feature' and whether it can be disengaged rather than solutions like pulling something toward me or finding a buddy. There are other off road applications involving winching where slight tension is desirable.

 

Mine locks only a few clicks up, maybe 3-4? I've never counted but did notice it doesn't take much. Have you by chance lifted your truck? I'm wondering if some are stretching the cable by doing so,,, not sure about that though, I'm not lifted.

 

Can confirm 3rd gen parking brake get tension and locks super early.

 

If you are winching just against the parking brake, the rear shoes can lock as the design of drums is such that continued forward movement increases engagement of the shoes. When you step on the brakes via the brake pedal, the proportioning valve helps to counteract this as most of the force is taken up by the front wheels, and the rear wheels see less force than you might think.

I have been in your situation, and had to step on all the brakes via the pedal, or the rear brakes would jam.

The parking brake system on all Tacoma’s is terrible for jamming regardless of winching. Lower your expectations and you will do much better.

 

I just don't understand how using the pedal brake can unlock the parking brake.
Maybe the transmission is not remaining in neutral with the seat unoccupied?

 

the parking brake actuated the shoes in a different manner then the pedal does. Pushing on the pedal likely un-wedges the shoes

 

[flame suit on]: one of the inherent attributes of drum brakes: Static holding ability (Many cars with rear disks actually have mini drum brakes inside the disk "hat" for this reason).

 

You mean like a parking brake should cause it's not an e-brake. I believe the Tacoma has 4 circuit brakes as a failsafe in case a line fails.

 

Okay, this is interesting. Kind of seems like you guys have nailed the issue/solution. The truck does have a 2.5" lift so the cable might be extra tight. Then with the wedging issue with the shoes seems viable/likely as I winch against it. Then I feel the nose dive when I apply the regular brakes and the shoes release.

I would imagine this is seen as a feature by Toyota i.e. "self tightening hand brake".

Thanks

 

Try winching the vehicle up a slight incline with no hand brake applied.

Drum brakes are designed to "self energize", this is a built in mechanical advantage and provides a wedging action as the rotation of the drum pulls the brake shoe. The hand brake mechanism is designed to use this wedging action to it's fullest advantage.

Stepping on the service brake allows the vehicle to roll because the service brake mechanism (wheel cylinder) applies it's force in a different position on the brake shoe, repositioning the shoe and taking control from the lightly applied hand brake. The service brake still uses the self energizing feature, it is just more linear and therefore easier to control.

 

^^This^^ Unfortunately that same design also means you can't pull the parking brake to help steer around corners rally style. It locks the wheels until the service brake is applied which takes all the fun out.