Parking Brake Issue

[MHLC08]

After a recent back brake pad replace/resurface rotors the back brake was adjusted. I noticed it wasn't holding very well and took it back to the dealer. They tightened the cable from under the center console as well and it is still not holding well.
The estimate was to disassemble - possibly needing parking brake shoe assemblies. The range (depending on what they found) was from $780-$4,300. That's unreal. Could it really need up to $4,300 worth of work? That included getting all the way inside and replacing bearings and a lot of other stuff. I had full replacement of pads/rotor and calipers 5 years ago (brakes seized due to rust...knew that would happen).
Thoughts?
Thanks -

 

[AnyMal]

Dealers, destroying land cruisers for ages now.

The parking brake is best adjusted at the drum or frame. The adjustment at the lever isnt even relevant to your issue.

Take it to somewhere competent.

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

Yeah, this is probably a DIY thing. The adjustment is done through the rotor via the "star-nut". I believe the adjustment under the center console is only for fine-tuning. If the existing shoes need replacement, it shouldn't take that long to replace all the parts. I'd guess 4-6 hours of shop time. The parts/labor would definitely get you towards the lower end of the range you described, but nowhere near the upper end.

 

[Artie]

Good gawd, that price range is crazy. This is definitely a DIY thing and I know this because I just had to mess with mine. See the thread below, this is one of 2 threads that go into how it’s done. This particular thread starts out on the cable but shows how to adjust at the wheel. Do the wheel part before the cable part.

If you are not handy with tools then try to find a good independent shop.

How to adjust hand brake cable in 200 series toyota land cruiser ?

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[bloc]

I’m betting that price means all-new brakes, bearings, backing plates, etc. It’s a ton of work.

 

[misteracng]

This replacement and estimate seems odd. I replaced by rear rotors and pads and did not touch the the star wheel or parking brake at all and it still works fine. Maybe when they removed the rotors, they had to loosen the parking brake with the star wheel and didn't adjust it properly when they remounted the rotors. Parking brake shoes should not ever really wear out unless you drive with them engaged for a long time. At this point Im sure they wheels and rotors need to taken off again to inspect those shoes and have a proper star wheel adjustment done before going for parts replacement. If they can just follow the procedure in the manual for adjustment that should work well.

 

[bloc]

With the amount of rust it sounds like OP has those rotors could have been in terrible shape. Not to mention the parking brake mechanism and possibly cables.

And I get that parking brakes “shouldn’t” wear, but in my experience getting the handle force adjustment right means they are so close they do drag just a little. The drums do wear. Evidence for this: the lip that is very commonly required star wheel back off before the rotor can be removed.

Keep in mind that as the old shoes and parking brake drum wear, the diameter of the drum increases. That’s why there is a lip. And the shoes wear in to that larger diameter.

So now we go put new rotors on with a smaller diameter than the shoes, and until they wear in to the drums, they will only touch on the ends of the shoes. It is very difficult to get the adjustment correct in this condition.

 

[MHLC08]

Good comments. Thanks all! Will try independent. Both rotors were replaced in 2019 but they didn't replace shoes. And yes, high end estimate was replacing all mentioned above.

 

[stonepa]

Land Cruisers traditionally have had weak parking brakes. I would definitely try the star nut adjustment first.