EagleEye

Hey guys,

I am a little stumped on this one and been working on it the past 3 days. One of my adjusters seized, so I couldn't do the major adjustment (the star wheel thing). Got a new star wheel from Autozone for $18 (whole hardware kit). I put it in and have it expanded about halfway. Did the minor adjustment and tightened the cable.

Problem:
1. Left rear wheel almost spins freely
2. Right rear wheel (with the seize adjuster) spins COMPLETELY freely even when I have the adjuster halfway extended
3. Handbrake lever feels "tight" after 10-12 clicks. So it's not loose. I can stop the car with my ebrake when going at about 5-10 mph. But, it won't stay stop if I give it a little gas (which is why I can't pass freaking inspection).

So, I am thinking that I am going to extend the adjuster even further until it grabs a little bit. If that doesn't work, I am going to sand the inside of the rotor.

Ideas guys? The ebrake on my Corolla keeps the car SOLID even if i give it 1.5RPM of gas. WTF. Help?

EagleEye

Oh - and the pads are new. Just replaced them. And yes, I did do the break-in procedure.

AndrewA

iTrader: (3)

on both sides, expand the adjuster until the shoes lock against the parking brake drum, then back off 8 clicks.

EagleEye

Well, I did that. On the side with the previously seized adjuster, I am at halfway and the darn thing still doesn't lock the freaking wheel. So annoyed right now. Going to extend it 3/4 of the way and see what happens. I just don't want to go too far... and 1 unscrew it out of the hole 2 have it go loose while I am driving. Just been reading and a lot of the guys recommend wet sanding the inside. Wondering if anyone of you guys did it.

AndrewA

iTrader: (3)

I'm not sure I get what you're saying. If you're only half way, why not keep going until the wheel locks?

EagleEye

Didn't go all the way because both pads were changed at the same time. Yet, the other wheel is locked at about 1/8 of the adjuster thread. While this side is already 1/2 extended. Was worried about un-threading it completely, then having to take the thing apart again. I'll let you know. Just a pain really.

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

And you're sure the brake SHOES are installed correctly? The springs and hardware sitting flush?

EagleEye

Yeah yeah - it was installed correctly. Just needed to adjust the star wheel more. The Autozone version is a bit shorter than stock. So that accounts for the extra threads that it needs to be extended before it grabs. All is good Passed my inspection, too The guy turned out to be a car enthusiast as well. Former Legend driver. So, he did it even though he saw my windshield tint. Then after he agreed to do it, he was amazed that I was able to get the old sticker off without messing up the tint. and hour using all my finger nails and alcohol