Hello Acurazine.
I have a 06 tl that i just bought half a month ago. I notice that the hand brake on this car isnt working, the car would roll down hill with engine off, handbrake on and gear in neutral. A few days ago i came across a thread with similar problem and people suggested that the handbrake needs little adjustment. I searched but couldnt find that thread anywhere so here i am making new thread. Car is still under factory warranty. Please help me fix this problem. Pictures showing what i need to do would be very helpful. Thank you Acurazine.

 

This is taken right out of my repair manual on page 19-8 (you can get a pdf manual from this site i think in the 3g garage section): For MINOR adjustment only (1 to 2 clicks).
Raise rear wheels off ground
Release E-brake fully
Open the console lid and remove the rubber mat in bottom
Remove the lid to access adjust nut
Pull E-brake 1 click
Tighten adjust nut until park brakes drag slightly when rear wheels are turned. So you'll have to adjust and get out of the car and turn the wheels by hand.

If that doesn't work you need to adjust from the rear wheels as follows:
You have to back off the adjustment nut in the center console (loosen it)
Remove the rear wheels
Remove rubber access plug on face of rotor hub. This should be facing the opposite side of the caliper so toward the front and level with the ground.
Turn the ratchet teeth on the adjust assembly with a flat head screwdriver until the shoes lock agains the parking brake drum. Then back off the adjuster wheel 8 clicks and reinstall the access plug.

 

FYI: The adjuster nut is actually not visible once you remove the access hatch in the bottom of the console compartment. You will however be able to see the two e-brake cables. The adjuster nut is just forward of the access hole and sits perfectly centered between the two cables. You will need a 10mm deep socket to reach the adjuster nut.

Making this adjustment is well worth your while. My parking brake barely held on my slightly inclined driveway. Even if I pulled the handle ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP. After adjusting it, it now works perfectly. Only takes about 8 clicks and the car will not move anywhere. You will be very happy with this one...

 

Good point, It has been about a year since I adjusted mine and totally forgot that you need tools and not a hand to do it. I really need to pull the rear wheels and adjust from the rear wheels myself though.......

 

Cool I need to do this to mine and was wondering how , now I know .

 

hey guys just a quick note, this info was very helpful. i had my rear rotors changed recently and the hand brake needed adjusting and i was able to do it. only thing is, i went and got a 10mm deep socket like 94eg! said but that wasn't the rite size, i had to go back and get a 12mm deep socket. i have a 2004 tl auto so idk if thats why.

 

Wanted to post a new thread, but I have the same issue, but have a 5AT. Nothing happens when I pull the hand brake. Light does show but no braking occurs

remove the centre console and adjust the nut?

 

It's outlined in the service manual, but it's a bit more involved then that.

In a nut-shell;
1) you do the major adjustment first by removing the rear wheels and adjusting the drum/parking brake shoe adjuster until the rotors lock up, then back off 8(???) turns.
2) then you do the minor adjustment under the center console by tightening/loosening the equalizer nut until the rotors lock up with the hand brake pulled 6(???) clicks up.