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Parking brake is stuck! How do I fix?
06-01-2009, 08:19 AM
#1
Parking brake is stuck! How do I fix? Pretty pissed, finished up my motor swap over the weekend, after 7 months was getting ready to drive the car for the first time... but the parking brake put a stop to the fun.
The parking brake is stuck. There is play with the cable under the console, but somewhere between the cable gears under the console and the rear wheels, things have seized up. We could not budge the cable, tapped on it and the y split (under the car), as well as the clamps on the rear brakes, but couldn't get it to unlock.
Anyone had this issue? I'm guessing it was caused by the car sitting for 6 months with the ebrake pulled... but now I'm not sure of the best way to fix it. I'd rather not cut the cable and install a new one...
The parking brake is stuck. There is play with the cable under the console, but somewhere between the cable gears under the console and the rear wheels, things have seized up. We could not budge the cable, tapped on it and the y split (under the car), as well as the clamps on the rear brakes, but couldn't get it to unlock.
Anyone had this issue? I'm guessing it was caused by the car sitting for 6 months with the ebrake pulled... but now I'm not sure of the best way to fix it. I'd rather not cut the cable and install a new one...
06-01-2009, 08:00 PM
#2
You should be able to tell at the "Y" point what is going on. If the handle is down and you have tension in the cable coming from the console, then you know that cable is seized. If one of the cables from the "Y" to the wheels is seized, then you should be able to tell. (If just one is seized, you should have play in the lever behind the drum of the one that is good.)
06-02-2009, 07:47 AM
#3
You should be able to tell at the "Y" point what is going on. If the handle is down and you have tension in the cable coming from the console, then you know that cable is seized. If one of the cables from the "Y" to the wheels is seized, then you should be able to tell. (If just one is seized, you should have play in the lever behind the drum of the one that is good.)
06-03-2009, 07:07 AM
#4
I'd remove the center console first and check where the cable engages the handle. If you can confirm there that the jam is between the handle and the "Y", you just need to replace that cable. (The one going from the handle to the "Y".)
They e-brake cables are like bike cables, but I'm not sure if they can be serviced. I had a similar issue on another Pontiac years ago and it was a sealed cable that needed to be replaced entirely.
BTW - If you need to replace the cable, you'll have to take off the center console anyway to unbolt the handle and remove it from the cable end.
They e-brake cables are like bike cables, but I'm not sure if they can be serviced. I had a similar issue on another Pontiac years ago and it was a sealed cable that needed to be replaced entirely.
BTW - If you need to replace the cable, you'll have to take off the center console anyway to unbolt the handle and remove it from the cable end.
06-03-2009, 08:45 AM
#6
You can try to pull on the output end of the front cable at the equalizer (y-connection you refer to). If the front cable is siezed it may or may not move for you. I will warn you to watch out at the lever if you cut the front cable because it is a self adjust lever. That spring on the side of the lever provides tension to the front cable to eliminate slack in the system. That may jump around if you cut the cable so just watch your fingers. And be careful winding that back up when you install the new cable. It has some load to it and if you slip you may injure yourself. Good luck.
06-03-2009, 08:49 AM
#7
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You said there is play in the cables after the Y so we are assuming the handle is stuck rather than the actual brake being stuck on, correct? Does your handle look like it is straight up? This may be elementary but I'm surprised no one already asked this.
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06-03-2009, 03:24 PM
#8
You can try to pull on the output end of the front cable at the equalizer (y-connection you refer to). If the front cable is siezed it may or may not move for you. I will warn you to watch out at the lever if you cut the front cable because it is a self adjust lever. That spring on the side of the lever provides tension to the front cable to eliminate slack in the system. That may jump around if you cut the cable so just watch your fingers. And be careful winding that back up when you install the new cable. It has some load to it and if you slip you may injure yourself. Good luck.
If I cut the cable my parking brake obviously won't work... but my rear brakes will still work correct, i.e. the cable only operates the parking brake right?
06-03-2009, 08:47 PM
#9
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The front cable doesn't move at the output end... but I can raise and lower the handle, so it must be seized up around the area where it passes through the sheetmetal of the transmission tunnel.
If I cut the cable my parking brake obviously won't work... but my rear brakes will still work correct, i.e. the cable only operates the parking brake right?
If I cut the cable my parking brake obviously won't work... but my rear brakes will still work correct, i.e. the cable only operates the parking brake right?
06-05-2009, 03:41 PM
#12
If its the center cable, then you'd probably have to cut it and then replace it. (I'm not sure of any other way to get the thing out if its stuck.)
IF YOU CUT THE CABLE, you need to be careful that you don't decapitate or otherwise impale yourself. Those wires are going to have a ton of tension in them and can whip around and cut like a knife.
With the center cable out, you should be fine to drive around, as long as you zip-tie or otherwise secure the "Y" attachment so it doesn't bang around.
06-06-2009, 11:18 AM
#13
You need to take off the center console and see what is going on there. If the center cable is really seized, then you should be able to see the slack in the system at the handle attachment.
If its the center cable, then you'd probably have to cut it and then replace it. (I'm not sure of any other way to get the thing out if its stuck.)
IF YOU CUT THE CABLE, you need to be careful that you don't decapitate or otherwise impale yourself. Those wires are going to have a ton of tension in them and can whip around and cut like a knife.
With the center cable out, you should be fine to drive around, as long as you zip-tie or otherwise secure the "Y" attachment so it doesn't bang around.
If its the center cable, then you'd probably have to cut it and then replace it. (I'm not sure of any other way to get the thing out if its stuck.)
IF YOU CUT THE CABLE, you need to be careful that you don't decapitate or otherwise impale yourself. Those wires are going to have a ton of tension in them and can whip around and cut like a knife.
With the center cable out, you should be fine to drive around, as long as you zip-tie or otherwise secure the "Y" attachment so it doesn't bang around.
We'll be careful if we cut the cable, thanks for the heads up.
