The parking/emergency brake lever actuates small shoes like a drum
brake which resides inside the rotor 'hat' (actually a rotor/drum combo)
of each rear rotor. It contains 2 shoes per side with a 'mirrored' installation,
very similar to a conventional drum assembly, but with no hydraulic cylinder.
Usually the shoes need adjusting to make up for wear; there is no self
adjustment mechanism as with conventional drums.
To adjust, follow all the jacking, wheel chocking and jack stand placement
safety instructions that always apply to elevated car work. Be sure to
lift both rear wheels and have the car in neutral (and the e-brake off!)
because you will need to rotate the axle assembly.
Remove the wheels and you will see a rubber plug (should be one anyway)
on the face of the rotor hat. Remove the plug and rotate the rotor until
the hole is at the bottom position. You should be able to see a starwheel
adjuster when peering through the hole (rotate the rotor back and forth
slightly to improve the view).
Insert a flat blade screwdriver through the hole and rotate the starwheel
upward to expand the shoe position outwards (this works the same for both
sides because of the 'mirrored' assembly); after several complete starwheel
revolutions the shoes should make contact with the braking surface (as
evidenced by the starwheel beginning to bind).
When the starwheel can not be turned any further, and you cannot turn
the rotor either, back off the adjustment by turning the starwheel downwards
3-5 clicks to give space between the shoes and braking surface (prevents
the e-brake from dragging).
Repeat for the other side of the vehicle.
As a final check, the e-brake lever should now only move upwards 5-8
clicks before full engagement of the e brake.
If it does not (very rare) you could have the following issues.......
1) e-brake cable needs adjusting (requires console removal)
2) e-brake shoes are worn out and cannot be adjusted to engage, replacement
required
3) 'drum' surface is worn so much that shoes will not adjust out to
grip, rotor required
Normally items 2 and 3 are very rare, but could occur if the vehicle
is driven for extended periods with the brake engaged, either by driver
error or 'failure to release' caused by a mechanical issue.
Be sure to replace the rubber plugs before putting the wheels back on
and enjoy that 'hill holding' power you now have
Maj & toyluvr
collaboration
