Weak parking brake after new install

I replaced the rear brakes two days ago on a 2006. I used new aftermarket drums, shoes, wheel cylinders, lines and hardware/springs parts. A Powerstop Z36 drum/shoe kit was used. Only one side was done at a time. Truck has never left Florida so there is zero corrosion.

Brakes work great except the parking brake won't hold very well. It holds on an slight incline until I put the transmission in gear.

Pedal is firm and activates quickly near the top of the pedal.

I have performed the backing up and applying the parking brake several times.

Also have removed the drums several times and adjusted the shoes as close as possible to create a slight drag.

I can also drive backwards at 10-15 MPH and hear the back brakes lock up with a quick hard brake pedal push.

Parking brake pedal is about 6-7 clicks before stopping. The 7th click is a heavy push. I tried loosening the adjuster under the shifter console and adjusting the shoes out. Same problem exists either way.

Parking brake was working good before so I have to blame myself. I compared the old parts to the new and everything was identical.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

There's a specific procedure to adjust the self adjusters. Try searching, or someone might post it here for you. It's something like adjust until snug, then back off 12 clicks.

 

I use this tool to adjust the rear shoes, perfect adjustment every time.

GEARWRENCH Brake Resetting Gauge - 3377

https://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-3...t=&hvlocphy=9003495&hvtargid=pla-572008348475

you shouldn’t have to touch the adjustment under the console unless your cables are stretched and old.

 

There is, but I don’t go by it.
I go through the adjustment hole in the back plate with wheel ON, until I hear/feel a slight drag.

Here’s the “right” way. Thanks @Jimmyh
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/parking-brake-adjustment.402303/#post-23848598

 

Yes I remember reading it.
Problem is adjusting the star wheel with the drum installed. I have a 40 year old angled brake adjustment tool but it is too large to work in the small space behind the drum. Maybe I can fabricate something.
The thing is the brake pedal feels good and the truck stops like new. Just the parking brake is not normal. I've been driving this truck for almost 17 years.

 

Being a sucker for tools I already feel $40 poorer.

 

You might find it cheaper, that’s just a reference for you. I purchased mine over 10 years ago.

 

Toyota says that when applying 67lbs to the parking brake pedal you should get between 7-10 clicks.
Again, I’ve never used this method.

It sounds like something isn’t right. I’d find a slender screw driver and adjust them again with wheel on.

 

You also might check and see if these 2 pieces are “together” correctly.

 

#1 you need to adjust the rear brakes with the drums on. If you adjust with the drums off then they won't be right. There is a hole in the backing plate that you go thru to get them just right. You easily adjust the brakes thru the hole with a flat blade screwdriver. Secondly you need to adjust the cables. There is a lock nut that you need to release. You then tighten the other nut to take slack out of the cables. You then tighten the lock nut, both nuts are 12mm if I remember right. You could also check to make sure your cables are moving freely.

 

I just replaced mine yesterday and have the same parking brake ‘miss’ adjustment. I know how to fix it; I’m just lazy about it. At 200K, this was my second shoe replacement.

The adjusters are opened up to take up the slack. For my drums, the magic number is between 5 and 10 turns. I left them at 7 turns but 8 would have been better. I got lazy of having to remove the springs each time. I will get a better fit after I get new drums. They do self adjust but it could take into the thousands of miles if the adjusters start off too loose.

 

Are you sure the parking brake strut right under the wheel cylinder is in place? They can fall out easily

 

Yep installing that shoe strut and adjuster is tricky took me several times as b_r_o above said as it keeps dropping out of place as you try and put the hold down spring and retainer on.
The shoe return spring has to be in the correct hole and it is lower than many try to use so no interference with the adjuster (I did one side at a time and still tried the wrong hole first time).
The short end goes on first behind the adjuster and then the thin actual adjuster arm has to be in the groove (see my pic in the link below)
Also the spring kit has a right side spring and a left side spring.
And as TnShooter said that lower strut has to be in correctly and the pivot point free (have to sand off and grease).
If you adjust the shoes to just rub (drum on then off to turn adjuster) it should be close enough. Then when all together and you have driven to use the shoes stop and apply the parking brake several times to adjuster the shoes out.
Here is the link when I did mine:
Rear Brake Replacement Tips | Tacoma World

 

I'll take a pic later today.

 

When I started this brake job I was planning to use this site for reference. Turns out my Internet was down all that day. I almost waited but got through it OK.
I have done a few drum brake jobs in the past but they were a few years apart.

I did notice yesterday that the parking brake shoe lever can be wiggled sideways slightly. I would think all parts would be solid.

 

pics attached, just took both sides off. I adjusted the parking brake cable adjuster under the console and no change. It seems to hold reverse better than forward. I think I'll drive it for a while and try again later.
During this test drive the brake pedal feels like new.

 

video of wheel drag, I figured out the angle of the screwdriver through the access hole.

IMG 2833 - YouTube

 

I don’t see anything out of the ordinary. Looks like you did a fine job

I’ve only had to remove the shoes once on my truck.
And that was when doing an axle seal. One some vehicles it’s possible to get the primary and trailing shoe on the wrong side. I don’t think you can do that on a Tacoma though.

At this point, I think we call in the experts.
@Dm93 and @Bishop84

You guys see anything off in the pictures?

 

I cant see anything wrong, you cant see the parking cable inside the shoe but ill assume its correct.

New shoes don't conform with drums, so the first test drive usually has this happen. So you have to break it in so the shoes conform with the drum and get better bite.

Next the cable may have to much slack, you may need to see if its loose while disengaged and how much effort it takes to begin engagement. Usually the cable housing is broken at the backing plate and this exaggerates issues.

 

Thanks for helping man.
I never had this issue, and I don’t do this stuff every day.