How to Make Parking Brake Adjustments in a Toyota Camry

Adjust the parking brake of your Toyota Camry when you notice the brake does not hold the car in place while on a hill. Adjust the parking brake to allow for less slack when you pull up on the parking brake lever. Doing the repairs yourself at home, instead of taking your Camry to the mechanics shop, saves you time and money.

Things You'll Need

  • Jack and jack stands
  • Tire iron
  • Screwdriver

Camry Model Year 1999 or Older

  • Locate the parking brake lever on the inside of the Camry, between the driver's seat and front passenger seat.

  • Remove the center console and locate the two rods sticking out the back of the metal plate.

  • Turn the adjuster nuts that are close to the metal plate. Test out the parking brake lever after adjusting. Keep turning the adjusting nuts until the parking brake lever holds the car in place.

Camry Model Year 2000 or Newer

  • Raise the rear end of the car with the jack and use the jack stands to support the car. Use the tire iron to loosen and remove the lug nuts from the rear wheels. Remove the rear wheels.

  • Turn the wheel drum around until the small hole is at the bottom of the drum. Locate the drum underneath the car on the inside of each wheel well.

  • Put your screwdriver into the hole and locate the shoe adjusting screw set. This adjusting nut looks like a star shaped nut.

  • Screw the nut tight until you can't rotate the drum.

  • Unscrew the nut about four times or clicks, until the drum rotates again. Replace the tire.

  • Repeat Steps 2 through 5 for the other rear tire. Remove the jack stands with the jack and lower the car.