locked rear brakes (emergency brake)

[mini zilo]

My car sat for about a month straight with the parking brake pulled up pretty high. I just got it started again today, and the rear passenger brake is locked up in on spot. It makes about 3/4 of the turn and then locks up. I tried revving up and dropping the clutch but it just makes the car drag the tire and skid. What do I do to get it to unlock and allow the wheel to turn? I don't know much about how the parking brake system works, so if someone has some tips, please help!

 

[steve]

Joe,

You'll notice a hole in the "hat" part of the rotor. That's the access port to reach the star wheel adjuster for the parking brake. It fits between the two brake shoes on the bottom and you have to get the rotor to turn until you can see the wheel in the port. Then using a flat screwdriver or a brake spoon turn the star wheel to loosen the adjuster and free up the parking brake.

If you don't have the FSM then look a pages 5 and 18 of http://www.ecanfix.com/users/manualcd/gift/dsm/2g_rear_axle.pdf for an idea of what I'm talking about.