This procedure covers removal and replacement of the parking brake cable assembly on a 2012-2017 Toyota Camry with 2.5L I4 engine, including rear cable routing, equalizer adjustment, and functional verification.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Parking brake cable assembly (left or right as needed) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Cable bracket clips/retainers × 4 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and place transmission in Park
2. Place wheel chocks firmly in front of both front wheels
3. Release parking brake pedal completely
4. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
5. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack at rear subframe jacking point
6. Position jack stands under rear axle beam support points and lower vehicle onto stands
7. Remove both rear wheels completely
8. Spray all cable bracket bolts and equalizer nut with penetrating oil, allow 10 minutes to soak

Procedure

1. 1

   Access parking brake cable equalizer
   From under the vehicle center area, locate the parking brake cable equalizer assembly mounted to the underfloor. The equalizer is where the left and right cables meet the main cable running to the parking brake pedal. Note the current routing and position of all cable guides and brackets before disassembly.
2. 2

   Disconnect cable at equalizer
   Using a 14mm wrench, loosen the equalizer nut at the cable junction point. Note the current position/number of threads exposed for reference during reassembly. Remove the equalizer nut completely and disconnect the rear cable(s) from the equalizer assembly. Note which cable (left or right) you are replacing.
3. 3

   Remove cable from intermediate brackets
   Working from the equalizer toward the rear wheel, locate all cable bracket mounting points along the underbody and fuel tank shield. Using a 10mm socket, remove the cable bracket bolts securing the cable guides. There are typically 2-3 brackets per side. Carefully release the cable from each bracket clip, noting orientation of retaining clips for reassembly.
   ⚠Cable retaining clips are reusable but fragile. Use needle-nose pliers to compress tabs gently to avoid breaking.
4. 4

   Access rear brake assembly
   At the affected rear wheel, locate where the parking brake cable enters the backing plate behind the brake rotor. The cable end connects to the parking brake shoe lever inside the drum-in-hat assembly. You may need to remove the caliper for better access, but this is often not necessary for cable replacement alone.
5. 5

   Disconnect cable from brake shoes
   Through the access hole in the backing plate (or with caliper removed), use needle-nose pliers to disconnect the cable end from the parking brake shoe lever. Compress the cable retainer spring behind the backing plate and push the cable housing forward through the backing plate to release it. The cable should now be free from the brake assembly.
   ⚠The cable retainer spring is under tension. Control the cable as you release it to prevent sudden movement.
6. 6

   Remove old cable completely
   Pull the cable rearward out of all remaining brackets and guides along its path. Remove the cable completely from the vehicle. Inspect all brackets and mounting points for damage, rust, or worn grommets that should be addressed before installing new cable.
7. 7

   Prepare and route new cable
   Compare new cable to old cable to verify correct part. Apply light coating of silicone spray lubricant to cable where it passes through guides (do not apply to cable end that contacts brake shoes). Begin routing new cable from the rear wheel forward, following the exact factory path noted during removal. Ensure cable passes on correct side of all suspension, exhaust, and fuel system components.
   ⚠️Cable must not contact exhaust components, sharp edges, or moving suspension parts. Verify clearance through full suspension travel before final installation.
8. 8

   Connect cable to brake shoes
   Insert the cable end through the backing plate from the rear. Ensure the cable housing retainer spring seats properly in the backing plate opening. Connect the cable end to the parking brake shoe lever, ensuring it is fully seated and secure. Verify the lever moves freely when cable is pulled.
9. 9

   Install cable brackets
   Working from rear to front, seat the cable into each bracket clip along the underfloor. Install new retaining clips if originals are damaged. Install cable bracket bolts and torque to specification. Ensure cable moves freely through all guides without binding or sharp bends.
   ⚠Cable routing is critical - verify against service manual diagram before torquing brackets. Incorrect routing can cause brake drag or cable failure.
   Torque spec

   Bracket Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Connect cable to equalizer
    At the equalizer assembly, connect the cable end into the equalizer bracket. Thread the equalizer nut onto the cable rod. Do not tighten to final specification yet - adjustment will be performed after both cables are connected.
11. 11

    Adjust parking brake cable tension
    With both rear cables connected to equalizer, turn the equalizer nut to adjust cable tension. The parking brake pedal should engage 5-7 clicks when depressed with approximately 67 lbs (300 N) of force. Turn equalizer nut clockwise to increase tension, counterclockwise to decrease. Once proper engagement is achieved, torque equalizer nut to specification while holding adjustment.
    ⚠Excessive tension causes brake drag and premature wear. Insufficient tension renders parking brake ineffective. Adjustment must be precise.
    Torque spec

    Equalizer Nut15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install wheels and lower vehicle
    Reinstall both rear wheels, threading lug nuts by hand first. Snug lug nuts in star pattern but do not fully torque yet. Raise vehicle slightly with jack, remove jack stands, and lower vehicle completely to ground. With vehicle weight on wheels, torque lug nuts to specification in star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify all cable brackets are torqued to specification and cable routing matches factory path exactly
2. Confirm no cable contact with exhaust, suspension, or sharp edges through full suspension travel
3. Double-check equalizer nut is torqued properly after final adjustment
4. Ensure all tools and parts are removed from under vehicle before test driving

Verification

• With engine running and brake pedal released, verify no brake drag by confirming rear wheels spin freely by hand
• Depress parking brake pedal and count clicks - should engage firmly within 5-7 clicks
• With parking brake set, attempt to push vehicle - it should not roll on level ground
• Release parking brake and verify both rear wheels spin freely with no drag or noise
• Test drive vehicle and verify normal brake operation, no pulling, no warning lights
• Park on an incline, set parking brake, place transmission in Park, and verify vehicle does not roll
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-check parking brake engagement (cables may settle) and re-adjust equalizer nut if necessary

More procedures for this vehicle