PFB

2001 es300. What is the best way to adjust the parking brakes? They barley hold, and rattle when I go over bumps.

Can the parking brake be adjusted with a special tool without removing the rear wheels, is there an external adjustment slot there, or should I adjust the parking brake cables instead?

Thanks,

Phil

PFB

I just had the parking brakes adjusted at a garage, so I can now answer my own question for those interested.

The rear wheels, disks, and Callipers need to come off in order to gain access to the adjusting mechanism. Took 45 min. Total

Initially I thought that there was external access to the adjusting mechanism, but that's not the case with this Lexus.

Now all is well

Phil

LeX2K

This is not true there is an access plug/hole in the rotor. You turn the rotor until the hole is at the very bottom then use a screwdriver or adjusting tool to rotate the mechanism. Turn until the rotor locks then turn it back 6 clicks.

Taking the caliper and the rotor off is unnecessary work and you can't properly adjust the parking brake shoes with the rotor off anyway.

ES300NZ

well, .. that's good to know, I would have guess that it had to come off too.

PFB

Now you tell me. I wish I knew this morning before the mechanic removed the items for nothing.

Anyways I'm done with it,

Thanks

Phil

KLF

Yeah, I don't know how the "mechanic" was able to adjust the parking brake with the rotor off. You spin the star wheel until the shoes start to drag on the inside of the rotor, then back it off a little bit. I guess he did it by trial-and-error and guessing.

BTW, the parking brake self-adjusts every time you use it. If you don't use it, it gets out of adjustment.

PFB

The mechanic adjusted it by putting the rotor back, than making more adjustments as necessary, spinning the wheel, till he got it right.

It's funny, we both looked for an access slot prior to him starting the job, and we both agreed that there isn't any.

Anyways, it turned out ok, as he found out that my rear pads were chattering, so he fixed that to.

Total cost about $50.00 US ($75.00 CDN)

LeX2K

This is only true for drum brakes. The parking brake shoes (which is a miniature version of drum brakes) do not self adjust as you pull the parking brake.

JDMSteven

Thankfully I don't need to adjust mine, it holds super strong with 145k but I believe they were adjusted when the last owner had his rotors machined and new pads.