Is your Toyota Fj Cruiser’s parking brake lever pulling up too high? You might be experiencing excessive slack in the parking brake cable. Fortunately, adjusting it is a straightforward DIY task that can be done at home with basic tools. This guide will walk you through the process of adjusting your FJ Cruiser’s parking brake, ensuring it engages properly and keeps your vehicle securely in place.
To begin, ensure your Toyota FJ Cruiser is parked on a level surface. Safety is paramount, so chock the wheels that will remain on the ground to prevent any rolling, especially since you’ll need to put the vehicle in neutral. For automatic transmissions, engage the shift lock override. With the vehicle safely secured and in neutral, you can proceed to remove a rear wheel to access the parking brake adjuster.
Once a rear wheel is removed, locate the small access hole on the brake rotor dust shield. It might be necessary to rotate the brake rotor to align the hole with the star wheel adjuster inside. Shining a flashlight through this hole will help you identify the star wheel, which is the actual adjustment mechanism. It can be tricky to spot initially, and you’ll need to use a screwdriver or a similar tool through the access hole to turn the star wheel.
The adjustment is done by turning this star wheel. To tighten the parking brake (reducing lever slack), you’ll typically turn the star wheel upwards. Conversely, to loosen it, you would turn it downwards. Since you’re aiming to remove slack, try turning the star wheel in small increments, about 5 clicks as a starting point, and then check the parking brake lever feel. It’s a process of trial and error as you can’t directly see the adjustment as you’re doing it. Repeat this adjustment on the other rear wheel as well for balanced braking.
After adjusting both sides, reinstall the wheels and lower your FJ Cruiser. Test the parking brake lever. It should engage firmly within a few clicks and securely hold the vehicle on an incline. If the lever still feels loose, repeat the adjustment process. Regular parking brake maintenance, including this adjustment, ensures optimal performance and safety for your Toyota FJ Cruiser.
