New to me 2013. The Hand/Parking brake has zero effect. How can I adjust it? Relatively easy on my 100 series land cruiser plus I have the factory service manual in .pdf format. I cant find a download for that for the LX570 unfortunately.

 

This should get you started...

Release the handbrake inside the truck. Jack up and block the rear end. As you look at the drum brakes on each side, you'll see a slot that accepts a standard brake adjustment tool. Tighten each side until the wheel won't turn, and back off 2-3 clicks. Double check the adjustment via the parking brake lever inside the truck...you can get to the adjustment nut by removing the cup holder.

hth...

And welcome to mud. Are you in the Treasure Valley?

 

Thanks, I searched on IH8MUD in the 200 section under 'parking brake adjustment' and got no returns yet here it is on Mud plain as day. Very similar to my 100 except the cable is different. I'll do the star adjusts first, I have to pop a rotor off anyway to get an annoying stone out. It may be more than an adjustment as I have no parking brake at all, not a hint of it grabbing. I'm down overlooking Bear Lake SE Idaho.

 

If not done recently, I'd pull off both drums and check shoe material remaining. Mine was new to me with ~ 50K and I basically did complete dis and reassembly on the parking brakes...disassembled everything, removed cables and left them in oil overnight. Cleaned everything up and reinstalled and felt a big improvement. I'd estimate it took around 4-5 hours but it's easy and you really don't need a shop manual. Between online parts diagrams and mud the process is just basic mechanic stuff.

 

My new-to-me 2013 had ZERO parking brake effect, either, when I purchased it a few months ago. I had the dealer adjust it when I was in for the 70k mile service. It is better but not "great". In my case, I think the LX I bought had been sitting for some time and don't think the parking brake really got used much.

 

The parking brake is designed to assist and designed to work 'to assist vehicle from moving backwards'. you can adjust the 'tightness' of the brakes by using a flathead screw driver sticking thru the backing plate of the rear drum disc. usually 4-5 clicks on the hand brake will be good indication that it's adjusted 'right'.

 

I got it adjusted, quite easily in fact, but it a real poor design for such a heavy vehicle. It is definitely more than a parking vs. an emergency brake

 

Hi, Tom. Did you do this yourself? If so, how'd it go?

 

Yes, I did it. Pull straight up on cup holder to expose adjusting nut on hand brake. Loosen nut until it spins freely by hand and back it off a lot but do not unthread all the way. If you do it may be hard to retrieve if you drop it. Jack and block on stands rear axle and remove tires. You will see a little rubber plug in the disc. Pull that out and adjust the star nut on the brake shoe expanders. (these can be hard to find, they are located about not straight down but slight towards rear from straight down. Adjust this nut until disc will not turn then back it off until you can get the disc to rotate, does not need to rotate freely, it is ok if they drag a bit. Reverse the procedure and at the handbrake nut tighten it up until you get 5-7 clicks before the brakes are tight. Leave the cup holder out and use the hand brake for a few days and then adjust the hand brake nut a bit tighter. Got to set in the shoes and new adjustment a bit by using them. You don't have to do this but I took off my calipers and disks just to inspect the brake shoes and lube up the star nut expander apparatus.