Parking Brakes on KE70 - Self-adjusting ?

[Tham]

I was wondering if the parking brakes on the
Corolla KE70 are self-adjusting ?

Mine don't seem to be, and the local mechanic says no.

They're not so effective these few days, and
I have to pull tightly to the last click on slopes.

Initially I thought they self-adjust when the car backs
up like in some others, but doesn't seem to be so.

I don't think the adjusting star wheel is stuck or something.
The cable is still in quite good condition.

[tooch]

The shoes themselves might be self-adjusting, but if the cable has stretched maybe it's still not getting enough tension on the mechanism to engage the shoes properly.
Try adjusting the handbrake cable, you might even have to do the initial adjustment of the shoes where you manually adjust the star wheel while holding down the ratchet.

Not sure about the KE, but that's how I had to do my hilux

[WDE_BDY]

They were self adjusting from factory, but we are talking 25 years down the track. Pull the drums off, give them a clean up and adjust the star wheels up manually. After thats done then hae a look at if the cable itself needs adjusting as well.

Callum

[Tham]

Thanks, Tooch and WDE_BDY.

When you mentioned adjusting handbrake cable,
does that refer to the tensioner screw in the cabin
at the rear of the lever ?

I have now screwed it almost all the way in. It's
tightened up somewhat.

I'll try cleaning out the drums and adjusting the
star wheel manually.

If that still doesn't help, I'll change the cables.

I think there are three handbrake cables in the KE70 -
one in the center, and two rear ones. Do all three
need to be replaced, or might just the two rear ones
be sufficient ?

[love ke70]

maybe the shoes are nearly worn out?

i would back off the cable, and adjust the shoes until they just dont skim the brake drum, then tighten to the cable to 4-8 clicks.

its usually a prick of a job that sounds easy, but you should get it if your patient

cheers, andrew

[IN 05 NT]

tightening at the cable is not the right way of doing it,

back the cable off

adjust the shoes up till you have a lil resistance when you put them back on, and try turning them,

re-adjust cable back up,

correctlty adjusted handbrake should be 3-4 clicks for the handbrake to hold the car.

blake

[Tham]

Thanks, Love KE70 and IN 05 NT.

Will check that out.

The shoes are still in fair condition, just about a year
and a half old.