Emergency brake lever pulled out too far... won't go back in

Title says it all. When setting the e-brake today the lever came almost all the way out, and I can't figure out how to get it to go back in. Is there a trick to it? 95 Tacoma, V6, MT.

 

the p brake lever is a hollow tube and inside the tube is a rod with teeth
Those clicks u hear when P brake level pulled…..are coming from clip/stopper
If you pull beyond the limit, that clip/stopper will jamb

contort your body, and fiddle with lever
Back and Forth, turning handle as well
You will figure it out
Let everyone know what you find

 

Thanks. You were right about contorting my body, and why is my flashlight either blinding me, or not helping at all?

Looks like there are a couple of tabs on top of the rod tube at the very front. I had to push those down/forward and then it went in.

One other question, there is a small metal dowel at the end of the P brake rod that pushes a button to turn on/off the "Brake" indicator. It had fallen out so I squeezed it back in the rod with a pair of vice grips but wasn't sure if there's a better method that I couldn't figure out. I wouldn't be surprised if it falls out again because it was really hard to get in there firmly.

 

Ewe
Better to post a pix (mine probably different bc of year)

I will say, if a bolt/clip missing to hold that dowel, very likely somewhere under floor mat/driver seat!!!!
Unless you vacuum every week!

 

Just like campfire smoke, it shines in your eyes because you don't want it to.

At any rate if you have to pull it that hard the front cable is probably stretched. Service the intermediary lever and replace the front cable first, don't replace the entire rear cable and go on an expensive goose chase like I did.

 

You're doing it wrong.

 

Ha ha . . . someone bought me one of these . . . in order to get it to point where I'm looking, I have to tip my head down and my neck is more contorted than without it LOL . . . it points perfectly if I slide the band down over my eyes and block the view . . . . turned it upside down. Tried some pads on one edge to change the angle. Fiddled with it and came to the conclusion here I am messing with this stupid light and just lost time getting this done. Maybe my forehead has a special Neo-Neanderthal angle or something, I just can't get them to work right.

 

You gotta get the ones that pivot.

 

Ok, here's some pictures of the "dowel" that fell out of the e-brake rod. As I suspected it didn't stay in very long. This piece of metal pushes a button to turn off the "brake" indicator on the insturment panel. Any thoughts on how best to get it back into the rod securely? It has grooves but not threads so it isn't screwed in.

 

Jesus looks like a BMX Schroeder valve

the L end slips/seats onto something shaped like a standard head screwdriver
Those gears on the R are for parking brake adjustment
Never seen one with a smooth end, unless there is a missing piece shaped like a 2 prong fork

Guessing this belongs somewhere on top of drum brake assembly

 

If you put new brake pads on the back, you probably won't be able to pull it out so far again. Glad you got it to go back in. Welcome to TW. There are lots of answers here.

 

I got the answer!



See the gear splines here?
That is where the right side goes in you pix

 

Pardon the hairy dust

 

Yes, I figured that. My question was how to best press it in there. I can't remove it and hammer it in so it has to be done in place where there isn't a lot of room. Any suggestions?

 

IMO should be set by that adjustable dowel
Those splines on the R side of your pix just slide into that shaft
Held in by that adjustable bolt that moved the dowel to make it tight and not fall onto the floor board

 

You can barely see the adjustment threads on your pix
Mine you can see many threads from adjusting dowel bolt

 

That's the one! :-D By the scratches it looks like someone put some effort into removing it for some unknown reason.

If it's falling out, chances are good you might never get it to stay in. If you vice-grip it too hard, you stand a chance of bending up the outer rail, then you'll possibly have issues with the inner rod moving smoothly. First choice would be to replace the entire assembly. Second would be to pull out the brake assembly (which is a fiddly task in itself,) disassemble it so you can access the rod without the rail, then press/hammer it back in, well "lubricated" with epoxy/JB Weld to convince it to stay in.

There's no guarantee that would hold over time, hard to say unless you actually do it. I'd go with option 1 for a permanent solution. An OEM replacement is a lot less expensive than I thought . . . this one is for my 2003 so make sure you enter your VIN on the Ourisman site to ensure you have the correct fit.

I could swear I've seen OEM assemblies on Fleabay from time to time but none this morning.

 

I don’t think those words have ever been said on this forum before.

 

JB weld on the splines and stick it in there?? Just don't ever expect it to come out again, lol.

 

Why would you ever want it to? Besides, it would probably fall out anyway if it's already loose.