handbrake cable stretched?
Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 14, 2007 at 21:47
ThreadID:
43264
Views:
5620
Replies:
3
FollowUps:
4
This Thread has been Archived
Member - Tonester (VIC)
Hi all.
Have a 90 series Prado, and finally today got around to having a crack at adjusting the usual and
well known poor handbrake. Followed the basic procedure -
- rear wheels off & calipers off
- loosened handbrake lever nuts all the way
- clicked up the adjusting nut at the rear hub all the way and then back 4 clicks (found the recommended 8 clicks way too loose)
- took up the slack in the bellcrank via rubber adjusting nut
- tightened handbrake lever nuts
What I found was the handbrake lever nut had to be screwed all the way down to get decent grip, and even then took a near full pull. When turning
the nut further, it does turn but seems to be at its limit and does not pull the cable screw up anymore.
The hand brake now does work, but there is simply no room for any more cable adjusting at the handbrake lever. Its like its too long.
Can they actually stretch over time???
Reply By: Markymark - Wednesday, Mar 14, 2007 at 22:28
Wednesday, Mar 14, 2007 at 22:28
I had a nightmare of a time with
mine just after I bought it. Every now & then I could hear the odd clicking sound from the rear wheels, then one day when off-roading I thought I had picked up a
rock somewhere as it was making a shocking noise as the wheels were going around. Then as quick as it started it stopped. Noticed I could drive off with the handbrake on and everynow & then the back (alloy) wheels would get very hot.
The mechanic pulled it all apart and found the retaining clips inside the hub that hold the handbrake pads in and fallen out on both sides. These clips were getting stuck between the pads and hub, hence the noises and heat build up, plus the pads were moving of their own free will and were worn out. NOT HAPPY.
It was good for a while, but in typical Toyota fashion (6 months later) the handbrake is next to useless again. At least it isn't making noises or getting hot any more.
Mark.
AnswerID:
227525
Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Wednesday, Mar 14, 2007 at 22:42
Wednesday, Mar 14, 2007 at 22:42
I reckon that most Toyota handbrakes are labelled "useless" because most service personnel have no idea how to adjust them.
Tone, theres no need to remove calipers. I adjust the thumbwheel through the hole in the rear disk as you did and 3-4 notches back from tight is the way to go. I've not had to adjust the cable, but have heard that they can stretch.
I guess you saw the LCOOL article.
Cheers
Phil
AnswerID:
227532
Follow Up By: Member - Tonester (VIC) - Wednesday, Mar 14, 2007 at 22:58
Wednesday, Mar 14, 2007 at 22:58
Hi Phil, yeah, searched the site, looked at LCOOL. So.. what do you do if it is stretched?
FollowupID:
488288
Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Wednesday, Mar 14, 2007 at 23:30
Wednesday, Mar 14, 2007 at 23:30
As you've done - adjust
the nut at the handbrake, and apart from that, replace the cable. Maybe you can also space the cable it a few washers under the cable nut???
FollowupID:
488295
Follow Up By: Member - Tonester (VIC) - Thursday, Mar 15, 2007 at 06:23
Thursday, Mar 15, 2007 at 06:23
ah of course. will try that. thanks Phil
FollowupID:
488318
Reply By: Bilbo - Thursday, Mar 15, 2007 at 15:43
Thursday, Mar 15, 2007 at 15:43
Yer, my handbrake stretched real bad after the first two kids. You should see the width of her now!! An adjustment of biblical proportions wouldn't make an iota of difference to her stopping power these days,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Bilbo - "The hobbit with a dent in his head!"
AnswerID:
227667
Follow Up By: Member - Tonester (VIC) - Thursday, Mar 15, 2007 at 21:04
Thursday, Mar 15, 2007 at 21:04
hehehe
FollowupID:
488467