Help. My handbrakes always need adjusting.

[Hook]

A couple months ago, I had the back of the car up in the air. Out of curiosity, I tried to turn the rear wheels by hand and one was fine, while the other actually turned with some effort.
Vehicle is a 1993 AE101 Corolla with the non-abs rear disc brake conversion done.

I'd always noticed that my e-brake never actually stopped the car, but rather slowed it down gradually. It worked fine on most inclines, but not all. No, biggie. I simply took out my handy rear piston adjustment tool (see pic) and adjusted both sides until I got what I wanted, then adjusted it at the handbrake cable end.


Now it appears as though they need adjusting AGAIN.

I inspected the cables and there doesn't appear to be any signs of stretching. The ends don't extend far outside the sheath to suggest that. But the adjustment at the handbrake end is at maximum, so if anything needs turning again, it's from the piston end.

Am I doing something wrong somewhere?
How do I inspect/repair the self-adjustment mechanism?

[stev]

boy what kinda hard question u asking normally u suppose to be giving answers. lol

trying to understand whats going on....the handbrake lever tight but the wheel itself is still able to move?

also u said rear disk brake conversion, when last u bleed ur braking system?

[wagonrunner]

OP. im assuming your adjustment was done with the usual?

let out all slack from lever.
put lever down.
then do adjustment at the back where the wheel will make 1/4 to 1/2 turn after a being released.

[Hook]

Yup. Everything was done according to normal handbrake adjustment procedure.
Drop handbrake, adjust each side, adjust handbrake lever.

But for some reason, after a couple weeks, it's back to where it was.

I was told a that if I reverse hard and yank the e-brake a few times it'll adjust itself. True talk?

[wagonrunner]

no clue about that one.

but seeing applying the brake while rolling backwards can help for drum brakes
http://techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/brkjob/adj.html

in the same manner the piston should keep close to the rotor in the front, not sure what's the problem in the back. usually rear disc and cable conversions are not known for working well.

In OEM form it's fine though. so i'm lost.

[toyolink]

I seem to remember someone having a similar problem and solving same by replacing the e-brake shoes.
Whats the general condition of the shoes in terms of wear?
It appears that once the shoes are worn beyond a particular level,the adjust procedure only improves holding capability very temporarily.

[Hook]

Rear disc brakes yo.
The one that doesn't carry brake shoes on the inside of the hat, so the e-brake is spring-loaded. Brake pads are new.

[Bigmanbandy]

I had similar problem, I bought new cables and greased the self adjusting sliding pins to the top. Getting a suitable high temp grease is the key. Works very good but pads don't wear evenly. I will buy brand name pads next time around.

[Hook]

I think it's the pads. Only brand I found them in this rounds was OHK. The Akebono pads they came with had a small tab at the back that was supposed to fit into the groove of the piston to prevent the piston from rotating and thus retracting. The OHK pads don't have the little tab at the back.

I marked the piston position this time so I'll know if it rotates next time it feels loose...unless it makes a full rotation.
If any Camry SV20 (Gracia) owners know where to get rear disc pads with the tab at the back as shown below, lemme know ASAP.

[toyolink]

I think it's the pads. Only brand I found them in this rounds was OHK. The Akebono pads they came with had a small tab at the back that was supposed to fit into the groove of the piston to prevent the piston from rotating and thus retracting. The OHK pads don't have the little tab at the back.

I marked the piston position this time so I'll know if it rotates next time it feels loose...unless it makes a full rotation.
If any Camry SV20 (Gracia) owners know where to get rear disc pads with the tab at the back as shown below, lemme know ASAP.

OK! Didn't target correct assy and now assuming BZG Levin assy it appears the challenge may start from pad set to reqment to service full assy and refit new spec. pad and do reset adjustment procedure.
In terms of pad set you have enquired about I sure can help and will pm accordingly.

[Hook]

I can't translate that meng...whatchujussay?

[stev]

toyolink just gave me a headache. lol

[Bigmanbandy]

I have an extra box of new pads. I think that they have the small tab in the back. Schnider or is it silver, is a black box brand.

[toyolink]

Sorry folks did what I can.

[nortel]

A couple months ago, I had the back of the car up in the air. Out of curiosity, I tried to turn the rear wheels by hand and one was fine, while the other actually turned with some effort.
Vehicle is a 1993 AE101 Corolla with the non-abs rear disc brake conversion done.

I'd always noticed that my e-brake never actually stopped the car, but rather slowed it down gradually. It worked fine on most inclines, but not all. No, biggie. I simply took out my handy rear piston adjustment tool (see pic) and adjusted both sides until I got what I wanted, then adjusted it at the handbrake cable end.


Now it appears as though they need adjusting AGAIN.

I inspected the cables and there doesn't appear to be any signs of stretching. The ends don't extend far outside the sheath to suggest that. But the adjustment at the handbrake end is at maximum, so if anything needs turning again, it's from the piston end.

Am I doing something wrong somewhere?
How do I inspect/repair the self-adjustment mechanism?

Hook,

I wanted to find out,

Where did you buy the rear caliper piston adjustment tool?

Thanks

[Hook]

Lots of parts places have that. I got mine at RevTek Auto Supplies on St. Michael Rd. in Tacarigua.
It's a universal thing, so it doesn't fit exact to the grooves on the piston, but it works well enough.

Hopefully you only have to use yours once

[ruff neck chicken]

i dont have the adjusting problem but my hand brake never holds that well. the lever is firmly up but brake isnt holding very tight. adjusted it a few times and never got better

[Hook]

My adjustment stays now. Looks like I hafta make a thread here for it to solve itself. Car ears musbe was ringing

[ruff neck chicken]

all offa sudden it stays? what about how tight the brake holds?

[Hook]

It locks at about about four clicks and holds pretty well on a 30 degree incline. Not enough to do a handbrake turn, but it works.

[ruff neck chicken]

hmmm, same as mine. i park on an incline so i'm always paranoid my car is going to roll away.

[Hook]

rear disc brakes as well?

[ruff neck chicken]

yes but not a conversion i gots me a GT.