car lurched forward in drive with e-brake on

2001 TOYOTA CAMRY
88,000 MILES • 4 CYL
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JOEL17
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Had a dog nearly attack my daughter when I was dropping her off. Yanked e-brake and jumped out with car running and it in drive. After about five minutes. the situation had blown over, I heard a loud crunch and ran out to find my car had pulled forward and smashed into another. My son had been in the back and he said it lurched forward with no warning.

Can cars build up some sort of potential energy while in drive but held back by an e brake? It smashed the heck out of my bumper and destroyed my turn signal light. Messed up the other car a bit. Way more damage than if it had just drifted forward in drive in my opinion. It moved about two or three feet total. Not much time for momentum.

Is this event as bizarre as it seems? Can anyone explain why the delay and the force involved?
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Nov 4, 2017 at 5:24 PM
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HARRY P
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Well a car sitting in drive and idling does build a certain amount of energy as the transmission is quietly pushing and pushing. It can build up a little bit and eventually move, especially if the e-brake is not very strong. Once it moved just a tad, it had broken past the static friction and could keep going. It probably worked its way over a pebble or rock or something, and then had nothing to stop it.

And you would be surprised how fast an idling car can get going, and how much damage it can do, once it breaks static friction. Also, realize that your car is largely fiberglass, which bends, cracks, and breaks very easily.

If you want, post some pictures of the carnage here. I would not mind taking a look at it.
Nov 4, 2017 at 7:17 PM
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JOEL17
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Thanks! Camry front end vs their Suburban rear end. That is a strong rear bumper.
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Nov 4, 2017 at 9:12 PM
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HARRY P
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Yeah that is what happens when a 3000 pound car meets with a 5500 pound truck.

On a more serious note, I meant to mention earlier that there must be something wrong with your emergency brake system. The way that you stopped the car put a good amount of stress on the e-brake system. It is possible that the cable going to the rear brakes broke, or the cable simply came out of adjustment.

Check out these youtube videos that I found. They lay it out pretty well.

How to adjust and set up the handbrake: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiirITxv6fXAhWDbiYKHVwOAigQtwIIKDAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DYuAiSLlCk34&usg=AOvVaw0FQr7kUIHb4It2gxoKfRgi

How to repair and replace parking brakes: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiirITxv6fXAhWDbiYKHVwOAigQtwIILjAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DoMVKqzdvQNo&usg=AOvVaw0f7BfdoplL_vqYs2-7km9g

Good luck and keep us posted.
Nov 5, 2017 at 5:18 AM