97 Camry LE I4- Loose E-Brake

[pmesfun]

I helped my friend adjust the rear drums because the E-brake is really loose, practically does nothing. The car has 195k miles with original rear brakes(original owners). Even after adjusting the star wheel and cleaning the drum and shoes the E-brake does nothing. I was thinking about trying to adjust the cable under the center console, but before that is there a possibility the cables are stretched? There is also a nasty tapping/slapping noise coming from the engine under 2600rpm which sounds like the belts are hitting the timing cover, haven't looked at that yet.

[71Corolla]

Maybe one of the cables is broken? They do stretch over the years but not all that much, best bet is to crawl under the car and take a look where the two cables meet up (under the handbrake, back a little bit), see if there is proper movement there.

[hardtopte72]

Had the same thing happen to another 97 Camry. Yes the cables are stretched. This is if you pull the handle the rear brakes still lock but the handle goes all the way up.

Also as far as the belts look into that for sure. It could be a timing belt that has stretched and is ready to go.

[pmesfun]

Originally Posted by 71Corolla

Maybe one of the cables is broken? They do stretch over the years but not all that much, best bet is to crawl under the car and take a look where the two cables meet up (under the handbrake, back a little bit), see if there is proper movement there.

That's probably the problem, is it okay to get the cables from the junkyard?

Originally Posted by hardtopte72

Had the same thing happen to another 97 Camry. Yes the cables are stretched. This is if you pull the handle the rear brakes still lock but the handle goes all the way up.

Also as far as the belts look into that for sure. It could be a timing belt that has stretched and is ready to go.

Yeah the e-brake works OK is you pull it up all the way, almost 90 degrees haha.
It does sound like the t belt, didn't open the hood. The belt was replaced at 60K, so it's defintely do. I will probably change it for him. What has me concerned is there is a steady puff of white smoke for about 5-10 seconds no matter the temperature. Does this indicate cooling problems?

[97ToyCar]

That's probably oil smoke from worn valve guides. The 5S was famous for it. No worries. As long as the oil is kept full, that is. They like to puke rods if you run them low/out of oil.

[pmesfun]

^I'll change the oil to 10W-30 HM Castrol GTX.

So I got to look under the hood, this is what the car needs.

1.)New timing belt, drive belts, tensioner and everything else. I'll do the seals too. Need to go over the I4 DIY. Getting this kit, http://www.ebay.com/itm/CAMRY-4CYL-C...ht_1939wt_1037. What are those two studs for? The thermostat nuts? Flushing and Backflushing the cooling system because its full of crap, changing the PS fluid as well.

2.)New Radiator, top part is cracked all across. Getting from RockAuto, TYC Radiator for $75+ sh.

3.)Parking Brake Cable from junkyard, probably do that sometime later.

4.) There is also a EGR CEL code, I'll look at that later.

[mazdaverx7]

i wouldn't waste the time with junkyard cables. replace them with new cables, either oem or aftermarket. you may run into the same problem with stretched cables if you go for junkyard bits.

[JohnGD]

You should probably adjust the cable under the center console before swapping them out. The cables will stretch with use and there is no spec as to how much they are allowed to stretch. I guess if they break replace them.

$22 each rear side on rockauto. The front is about $9 that goes to the lever. I'd just get new ones but adjust first.

As far as startup smoke goes, is the car using oil or coolant? If HM oils don't work then the best time to replace the stem seals are during a timing belt job and your school probably has all the special tools needed. Fel-Pro stem seal set is a good value. I do use one of those $2 HFT plastic calipers to measure the seating height of the installed seals. Otherwise they can pop out later and you have to go back in.