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Adjusting the emergency brake?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by gforeman, Sep 8, 2007.

  1. gforeman

    gforeman New Member

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    Any how-to here on adjusting the emergency brake? Mine pretty much goes to the floor now. Car only has 5k on it, but I park on a hill and have to set it hard. I just need to take out some cable play.
     
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    An '07, I'd ask the dealer to do it esp. if you're still under the 12mo/12k mile warranty.
     
  3. gforeman

    gforeman New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Sep 8 2007, 04:36 PM) [snapback]509180[/snapback]</div>
    Dealer is about 30 miles form here, plus sit around in the dealship for an hour....I'd rather just do it myself :rolleyes:
     
  4. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    I understand that....still, if you have an oil change coming up or something and have an excuse to be there you could coordinate it.
    I'll take a look under the dash and try to get some photos if Galaxee or someone else doesn't chime in first....it should be a pretty easy procedure.
     
  5. gforeman

    gforeman New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Sep 8 2007, 04:36 PM) [snapback]509180[/snapback]</div>
    12 Mo 12k warranty? I thought it was std. with 3 Year 36k?
     
  6. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(G-Man @ Sep 8 2007, 05:57 PM) [snapback]509224[/snapback]</div>
    It may be...the 12/12 is the unofficial "adjustment" warranty where they'll change and fix some minor things...alignment, some changes/programming that can be done with the scantool at customer request, etc. Outside the 12/12 you've gotta pay for that stuff. I'm not sure whether the brake pedal adjustment would be considered a wear thing that they would want to charge for after 12y/12k miles or not.
     
  7. Allannde

    Allannde Just a Senior

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Sep 8 2007, 03:07 PM) [snapback]509227[/snapback]</div>
    Hobbit shows here http://www.techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/brkjob/adj.html that the brake should be self adjusting if it is working properly. Backing up has no effect. The back brake and the parking brake use the same shoes, at least on the '04. All that is reqiuired is a few stops which use the friction brakes.

    If that does not correct the problem, it may be a job for the dealer.
     
  8. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Allannde @ Sep 8 2007, 06:29 PM) [snapback]509235[/snapback]</div>
    I guess I got the impression this was one of those brake cable stretch issues, not a problem with the shoes/calipers.
     
  9. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    DH has never had to adjust an e-brake cable in the thousands of prius he has serviced.

    he would encourage you to have the whole system checked out, especially since it's under warranty. that does fall under the 12k adjustment warranty.
     
  10. Allannde

    Allannde Just a Senior

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Sep 8 2007, 03:41 PM) [snapback]509239[/snapback]</div>
    Evan

    I found the proceedure for taking out Parking Brake cable play in the '06 Repair Manual. It invovles removing the center console, the footrest and adjusting the tension nuts on the parking brake cable. It refers one to four different sections in three different volumes. I still recommend the dealer.

    Perhaps Hobbit or Galaxee will come on with step by step instructions. Not having done it, I can't visualize how hard it would be.

    Allan
     
  11. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Allannde @ Sep 8 2007, 07:03 PM) [snapback]509251[/snapback]</div>
    Yikes, sounds like it's well worth a 30 mile drive and a wait to me too!!
     
  12. tnp

    tnp Junior Member

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    Johnav posted the parking brake adjustment in another link. For the '07 Prius. it is under the center console.

    To remove the console, pull up on the front cup holders to expose 2 screws at the bottom. There are 2 more 10 mm bolts on the inside toward the rear of the console(under the black felt). The console lifts up to expose the parking brake adjustment cable.
     
  13. macguyver

    macguyver Dis-Member

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    Sounds similar to my old '92 Honda Civic and a slew of other cars.

    My 2006 Prius gets a lot of use on the ParkingBrake (PB) due to daily hill parking. The pedal slowly goes farther down over time until my next service visit. The techs usually adjust it with out my having to ask, which speaks well of their attention to the job.