Loose Parking Brake Handle? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

toy4x4man · 05-06-2008, 05:50 PM

Hi Everyone,

I've been looking through these forums for a few weeks now and figured I'd finally register and hopefully contribute a little.

I have a question for those who have a park brake on the center console, which I believe is only on the manual transmission. I have an 08' SE with the manual and when the parking brake is not engaged there is a lot of side-to-side "play" in the park brake handle. I just noticed it today and was wondering if others have the same movement. Everything works fine it just seems kind of odd how loose it is.

On a side note, I was happy to see 32.65mpg when I filled up today! Gotta love the 4Cylinder, 5Speed.

Also, I bought an 08' Tundra Crewmax a couple weeks ago. That thing is amazing! I traded in an 05' Double Cab Tundra which I loved, but the new one (even with the 5.7ltr) has been averaging 3mpg better on top of the increase in room and power. It sure is fun when one of the Big 3 pull up next to you and stare!

toy4x4man · 05-07-2008, 12:54 PM

I must be the only one?!

GT-R · 05-07-2008, 01:04 PM

I think you have to show it to the dealer that it's loose, maybe they can adjust it...

Congrats on the new Tundra CrewMAXX, I like that too. Tundras Rulz Bro.

gdanaher · 05-07-2008, 01:19 PM

There just aren't too many manuals out there to compare to, but I would just ask how loose is loose? Is the play enough that it can be measured at the outer end of the radius? If it is only 3-4 mm or less then I would say there is a little space between the hinge holes in the handle and the pin that holds it, and if it was too tight it would become hard to pull. My last Camry had a hand brake and as I recall it had some play as well but I didn't let it bother me. World peace was higher on the list at the time, and I don't recall that it ever got any worse over time than when it was new. If it troubles you, the car is in warranty and the folks at Toyota can take a look at it. I doubt there is going to be much that they can do about it though, but heck, it's your time you're spending here, so if it makes you feel better then have them check it.

touringcamry · 05-07-2008, 01:31 PM

You're talking about side to side movement right?

You need to remove the trip piece that goes from the box under the vent controls to the cupholder. You can just pull up on it starting near the cup holders to remove it.

Then use a ratchet with a long extension and a 10mm or 12mm socket for one bolt and a wrench for the other one. If you have ratchet wrenches, they're quite useful here. It's getting really annoying how the handle loosens itself because I've tightened it down two times already and it's loose again now.

toy4x4man · 05-07-2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by touringcamry

You're talking about side to side movement right?

You need to remove the trip piece that goes from the box under the vent controls to the cupholder. You can just pull up on it starting near the cup holders to remove it.

Then use a ratchet with a long extension and a 10mm or 12mm socket for one bolt and a wrench for the other one. If you have ratchet wrenches, they're quite useful here. It's getting really annoying how the handle loosens itself because I've tightened it down two times already and it's loose again now.

Thanks for the "how-to". I might just do that. It has a lot of play in it. It will move completely from one side of the opening the handle comes out of to the other, but doesn't really move at all when the brake is on or in the up position. I might run by a dealer too, just to see if they know of it being a problem.

Thanks for the info guys!

Woodzy88 · 05-07-2008, 06:21 PM

mine i noticed the other day was doing the same thing.. i will have to try that and see how long it last's.

thanks for the "how too"

toy4x4man · 05-12-2008, 07:28 PM

Just a follow up for those who helped out on this one. I took mine into the dealership on Sat. and they told me it was way too loose. They usually just need to be tightened but said they had actually replaced 2 others for the same problem and had found that they had a part where a bolt/screw goes through that wasn't round and allowed the fastener to loosen over time. So they are going to order a new handle just in case and look at it on Friday.

touringcamry · 05-12-2008, 10:13 PM

Wow, thanks for the heads up! I'll take mine in to get check out. I've tightened mine down twice already.