E Brake wont disengage

[squid267]

Not sure how to embed the video so I'll just post the link. After my car got towed my ebrake will not disengage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px5wwmDaPss

Any ideas?

 

[Gaines12]

You'll probably have to replace the cable but to double check take your brakes apart and check to make their all free

 

[spyderdrifter]

Your parking brake is engaged with brake shoes like drum brakes, only smaller. Your brake shoes are most likely dug into the inner brake surface. You'll have to pull the brakes apart and dislodge the shoes. Since they're stuck, that's what's making your brake handle go back up because the brake cable is now acting like a spring. You'll probably have to replace your brake shoes for sure, and possibly the rotors too if they can't be resurfaced on the inner surface.

 

[DSM1G90]

...something that a brake shop can easily fix.

 

[mik3ripp3r]

That's crazy! I know the #3 rule.... but "I think" your car is possessed! sorry for "braking" the rules but that is just weird! good luck and I hope you get it worked out and Im interested to read the "resolved" post!

 

[kleenf4i]

Your parking brake is engaged with brake shoes like drum brakes, only smaller. Your brake shoes are most likely dug into the inner brake surface. You'll have to pull the brakes apart and dislodge the shoes. Since they're stuck, that's what's making your brake handle go back up because the brake cable is now acting like a spring. You'll probably have to replace your brake shoes for sure, and possibly the rotors too if they can't be resurfaced on the inner surface.

what are you talking about? The brakes are disc brakes. taking off the center conole will allow you to adjust the e-brake cable. You do not have drums or shoes. you have rotors and pads. probably you have an issue with the cable or a stuck cliper on a worn disc.. either adjust the cable or remove the rear disc one by one (left then right side) and im sure you will see where the issue lies.

 

[spyderdrifter]

ALL DSMs with 4 wheel disc brakes have a drum brake style parking brake on the rear discs, just like any other vehicle with 4-wheel disc brakes. If you pull your rear discs off, you will find that I am right. I do know what I'm talking about. I do this crap in school, and have been doing it for the past decade.

 

[kleenf4i]

your saying the shoes are on the inside of the rotorhub? And I diddnt mean for that to be offensive.

WELL ill be a monkeys uncle! dang man your right. I stand 100% corrected. so heres the adjustment procedure:

1.Pull parking brake lever with a force of approximately 45 lbs. and count number of clicks. Lever stroke should be as follows:
Lever should move three to five clicks.
If parking brake lever stroke is not within specifications, proceed as follows:
1.Remove center console, then loosen adjusting nut on end of cable rod to free parking brake cable.
Fig. 10 Parking Brake Adjuster Rotation








2.Remove adjustment hole plug in disc rotor, then use a suitable flat screwdriver to turn adjuster in direction shown, Fig. 10 .
Return adjuster five notches in opposite direction.
Turn adjusting nut to adjust parking brake lever stroke to specified range.
Fig. 11 Parking Brake Cable Adjuster Freeplay Inspection







After adjustment has been made, ensure there is no play between adjusting nut and pin, Fig. 11 .
Raise and support rear of vehicle.
With parking brake lever released, turn rear wheel to ensure rear brakes are not dragging.

 

[spyderdrifter]

No worries dude. However, the info you provided for adjustment is just for the handle. He's still going to have to do what I mentioned in my first post to release the brake shoes. Until he does that, anything he does with the brake handle will show the same results he has with it returning to the engaged position.

 

[squid267]

Ok thanks guys, I'll go out tmrw and check it out. Appreciate it!

 

[squid267]

Update: Took center console apart first before I took the brakes aparts. So theres the rectangle where the left and right ebrake cable is connected to, I can see it very clearly. According to the FSM it should be in this orientation.

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This is mine

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So maybe the driver side rear brake is locked up? ### theres slack on passenger side.

 

[Tyeler18]

Only the driver side is locked. It probably wouldn't hurt to take both sides apart though and make sure there isn't any damage, but the driver side for sure has to come apart.

 

[spyderdrifter]

^ agreed. Once you have both brakes back to normal, you'll have to adjust those cables a little at a time to get them even.

 

[squid267]

Update 2: Finally got around to taking the wheel off with my friend. Rotor is also off...so what exactly do i do now?

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Also I going to take off passenger side off too. I think its locked up on that sides because now the handle doesnt go all the way up by itself anymore. when e brake is engaged it doesnt work now. maybe the passenger was all shot and the driver side was holding the car. i did experience poor holding with the e brake

 

[ChiTownHussla]

If you have money replace it all and lube all, cables andechanical parts. I would for piece of mind.

 

[triston2469]

So after reading this i am positive that i can do the rear brakes on my car and fix my ebrake issue. the problem i have is that my ebrake doesnt work at all when engaged. i have the right amount of slack on the handle but just nothing on the rear brakes. I didnt realize that the parking brakes on a disc brake were like that. I will definately have to price that and see what its gonna cost me. I feel like an idiot now..

 

[squid267]

If you have money replace it all and lube all, cables andechanical parts. I would for piece of mind.

Im not opposed to this but how do i know it will fix the issue?

 

[spyderdrifter]

If you have all new parts and they're all adjusted properly it will work right. If it were me, I'd replace the brake shoes, cable, and wheel cylinders and clean everything else really good. Replace any other parts that need it.

 

[Tyeler18]

So after reading this i am positive that i can do the rear brakes on my car and fix my ebrake issue. the problem i have is that my ebrake doesnt work at all when engaged. i have the right amount of slack on the handle but just nothing on the rear brakes. I didnt realize that the parking brakes on a disc brake were like that. I will definately have to price that and see what its gonna cost me. I feel like an idiot now..

Just to clear up some confusion, the 1g's all use a caliper e-brake, not an inner drum like the 2g's do. On the 1g there's a mechanical lever that will activate the CALIPER itself, so it is completely different, but not any harder.

 

[kleenf4i]

Just to clear up some confusion, the 1g's all use a caliper e-brake, not an inner drum like the 2g's do. On the 1g there's a mechanical lever that will activate the CALIPER itself, so it is completely different, but not any harder.

this is how i thought the 2g was set-up. Kinda makes me mad its not.

and, it seems your cable is whats messed up. you can always turn that star adjuster and see if that helps. likely its frozen up and thats whay that side locked up.This would probably mean the other side is in need of servicing also.

 

[Tyeler18]

this is how i thought the 2g was set-up. Kinda makes me mad its not.

and, it seems your cable is whats messed up. you can always turn that star adjuster and see if that helps. likely its frozen up and thats whay that side locked up.This would probably mean the other side is in need of servicing also.

There are pro's and con's to both, however, I agree. I personally like the caliper brake better. The issue with using them (and why they switched) is because a brake failure (ie piston seized) in the rear brakes will render that brake useless not only with the foot brake, but also with the hand brake. Having seperate systems provides a little more fail proof, and more money for the dealer when you have to service them.

 

[kleenf4i]

more money for the dealer when you have to service them.

win win situation for the dealer. More parts, use safety as the selling poin( wich I agree it is safer) and the dealer has hit a home run.

 

[squid267]

the springs are such a bi***. any tips? like one i get on , the shoe isnt positioned correctly for the other springs

 

[travisgoldkuhl]

there is a brake spring tool that makes it easy, video i found that might help you out.
Brake Spring Tool! - YouTube

 

[squid267]

Got it! only took me like a month. Vice Grips help soooo much.

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On to the next side. Ohand the problem was that the passenger side ebrake cable was stretched so it kept engaging the ebrake handle, the shoes were fine. but it good to replace them because they were pretty worn.