Parking brake adjustment Options

[6GenCelicaST]

So I just did my brakes this weekend and I've come to find out I don't have a parking brake anymore. And before you ask, yes I made sure everything is okay, and the shoes slide out when I pull on the parking brake. I've looked all over to find out where to adjust it and I can't find it anywhere. Does anyone know where it is, and how to adjust it? Many thanks in advance.

[Spider77]

IIRC There is a spur gear that allows you to adjust it on the assembly.
Here you go....

Am really bored right now so i figured id give you the whole page.

[6GenCelicaST]

I don't have rear discs though.

[Spider77]

Oh, sorry. Been awhile since i messed with drum brakes. Im pretty sure there has to be an adjuster up in there.

[6GenCelicaST]

I checked around and couldn't find anything under the car.

[GriffGirl]

You have to pull the wheels off, you can't access the parking brake adjuster from under the car. You'll have that same adjuster spur thingie as on the disc brakes shown above, but it doesn't adjust like in that picture. At the bottom center behind the drum (I don't remember if you have to remove the drum, you probably do) you'll see a little spur thingie that is the adjuster for your parking brakes. Turn it several clicks clockwise (if you're back is to the front of the car - the spur thingie rotates over or under, as it's "sideways") so turn it "over" not under to tighten it. You'll have to adjust it and put your drum on, back and forth, until you can get your drum on but not rotate the wheel. When you've tightened it enough to not be able to rotate the wheel, then back off the adjuster 8 clicks. Test fit again. You might need to use a flathead screwdriver to turn the adjusting screw, as it's pretty pointy and for me, once it gets pretty tight, hurts my fingers to turn! But then I'm just a delicate flower...

Do the same for BOTH wheels.

When you pull your e-brake lever, it should only pull up 6 or so clicks. If it pulls much more than this you also need to adjust your e-brake lever. To do this, you will need to remove that center piece of trim by unscrewing the trim screws along the sides (4 in all IIRC, phillips head screwdriver) and unbolt the 2 bolts inside the center storage console (10mm socket). With the parking brake lever down, you'll see at the top of the tensioner cable 2 nuts - holding the bottom one w/a small wrench or pliers, loosen the top nut (it's the lock nut). You don't need to remove it. Then you should easily be able to tighten down the bottom nut (the adjuster) until you get the desired travel for the lever. Once you do, tighten down the locknut, reassemble everything, and you're done.

Be sure not to overtighten the lever or the parking brake drums for that matter; over tightening them can result in your e-brake locking up while driving and that would be VERY bad times and could cause an accident.