What's wrong here? Options

[Random_Stranger]

Intro: I have changed my rotors to slotted rotors and now using ceramic brake pads because I suspected them to be better than my current setup. In the midst of all this, as some of you may recall, I had to get part numbers for 2 pins that connect to the horseshoe for the passenger side rear rotor. I got them and I installed them correctly by following the Haynes Manual. Now here's my problem....

It says how you adjust but using a screw driver on the "tension" gear like part that centers once you put your rotors on. I have noticed by adjusting this, I am able to get my rotor stuck in place, or able to slide it out, pending on which way I go (up or down). The book says to go all the way down and try to go 8 clicks up. When I did that, having new brake pads, there was a bit resistance on wheel movement. Is there supposed to be resistance? I dunno, so I freed it up a bit so it spins without a scraping sound.

Now tonight, I went out to the mountains because I was curious about my brakes. So I pulled the handbrake and I just gradually slow down, but no screech, even when I pull up all the way. I slam my brakes, and not so much a sudden stop, but better than what the handbrakes did. I am about to read up on ABS, as I do not know much about brakes, but I know my ABS module or motor or whatever is removed in my car, as the relays for ABS. I was wondering if that as an effect on the braking system, as when I applied the brakes, it kind of felt as if only the front were doing anything and not so much the rear. Now it is raining, so I am wondering if them being wet has any bit of impact.

I am barely learning engines, and I am eager to learn more about cars, so forgive me if my questions or statements sound n00bish. I just want to be able to have good brakes, and I am afraid to go beyond stock if I cannot understand or correct stock brakes.

[MaskedMan]

"It says how you adjust but using a screw driver on the "tension" gear like part that centers once you put your rotors on. I have noticed by adjusting this, I am able to get my rotor stuck in place, or able to slide it out, pending on which way I go (up or down). The book says to go all the way down and try to go 8 clicks up. When I did that, having new brake pads, there was a bit resistance on wheel movement. Is there supposed to be resistance? I dunno, so I freed it up a bit so it spins without a scraping sound."

What you are adjusting is the parking brake shoes. There is supposed to be a small amount of resistance when turning the rotor by hand. Enough were you can turn it without much effort, and it stops when you stop turning it. Your hand brake should be around 3-5 clicks.

"Now tonight, I went out to the mountains because I was curious about my brakes. So I pulled the handbrake and I just gradually slow down, but no screech, even when I pull up all the way. I slam my brakes, and not so much a sudden stop, but better than what the handbrakes did. I am about to read up on ABS, as I do not know much about brakes, but I know my ABS module or motor or whatever is removed in my car, as the relays for ABS. I was wondering if that as an effect on the braking system, as when I applied the brakes, it kind of felt as if only the front were doing anything and not so much the rear. Now it is raining, so I am wondering if them being wet has any bit of impact."

You just installed your brakes so you need to break them in first. Also, I'm going to give you an answer as a Toyota Technician and not a boy racer. Your parking brake is not designed to stop your car while it is moving. The parking brake is designed to hold a vehicle in place, while the car is at a stop, nothing more. Did you remove the ABS relays yourself? All Celicas will have the relay box for the ABS, regardless of whether it came equipped with ABS or not. So just because you have missing ABS relays, does not mean your car has, or ever had ABS.

The front brakes are designed to do majority of the work during braking. That is why the front brake pads will wear faster than the rear pads, and also why front pads will be thicker than the rear when brand new.