1990 Camry E-brake, Hand Brake, Emergency Brake Adjusting

[amrein00]

1990 Camry, 157000 miles, manual, emergency brake does not work, clicks, but when set the car rolls. Brakes seem good, stops great a lights, no noise, no pulling, no grinding sound.

That is all the details I have at this time. If more details are needed I can get them but I just don't know what else is needed.

An acquaintance told me to try these instructions first:

1 Locate the parking brake lever on the inside of the Camry, between the driver's seat and front passenger seat.
2 Remove the center console and locate the two rods sticking out the back of the metal plate.
3 Turn the adjuster nuts that are close to the metal plate.
4 Test out the parking brake lever after adjusting.
5 Keep turning the adjusting nuts until the parking brake lever holds the car in place.

Does anyone know if this is correct. My daughter and I are planning on attempting to do this on the weekend because neither of us have money to get it prof worked on at this time.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Judi

[71Corolla]

4 cylinder or V6 engine? If it's the 4, it would be best to remove both drums and inspect the brake shoes and the e-brake mechanism, mainly the self adjusters to see if they are moving freely.

Adjusting the cable in the car will only partially compensate if there is something wrong at the wheel side of things, although the cable does stretch some over time. edit - the e-brake handle should click 5-7 times, maybe 8 before it becomes very difficult to move the lever any more.

[nogard]

Depending on the design of the rear brakes, if they are drum. You can clean up the adjusters, set them all the way in. Put the drum on and wheel. Then pull the parking brake handle and release, reapeat this until you feel both left and right adjusters set tight. You will be able to hear them clicking, one side might tighten before the other. That means every time you use your parking brake you will be adjusting the rear adjusters and your brakes will be properly set at all times throughout the life of the shoes. I know this works on 2nd and 4th gen Camrys, but does not work on 1st gen xB.