NF - Truck Advice

[Dutch]

Hi All.

 

Just wondering if there's some adivce out there for a seized emergency brake. Truck has only 32K on it and I haven't used the emergency brake since last summer. As soon as I stepped down on the pedal, I was cursing myself.

 

Before I spend a bunch on a tow and mechanic visit is there anything I can do to fix this myself and after fixing - to prevent it from happening again?

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited September 26, 2007 by Dutch

[Mike the Pike]

When you get it fixed start using it more often thats why this happened .It happens to all makes and models.Cable is probably seized and is going to cost you $$$$$$$$$$.Best of luck

 

OH this has happened to me MTP

[POLLIWOGG]

Cut the cable at the wheel end, it wont happen again.

[Nanook]

Happend to me just once, on a Ford Ranger. I was able to pull it loose by hand, to get home.

Did use it again and traded it in anyway.

[bassboy]

Drive backwards if you are able to.......seriously. This used to happen to me on my '88 Ranger. If you drive in reverse, it causes the self adjuster to re-set the shoes and will quite often snap the cable back. I had to do that on several occasions........

 

My 2 cents worth anyway. Hope it helps....

 

Bill

[bowshep]

if its seized on the drums release the tention on the emerg. brake and rock the truck back and forwards. Dont have it in gear and dont have the engine running, just rock the truck back and forwrds and it should pop

is it a Ford

peace Ken

[Dutch]

2005 Chev Colorado.

[vance]

Most systems use 3 cables-1 from the cab and then 2 from that cable to the wheels.None of these are cheap or that easy to fix-before you cut one make sure it is the RIGHT one.If the cab cable is seized just undo the link to the other two.

 

vance

[bowshep]

l just had to ask about the make l did that trick on two Fords and l learnd that trick on my Ram when l owned one. Peace Ken

[OhioFisherman]

The cable is usually covered in a protective sheath to a point near the rear end, possibly spraying penetrating oil where the cable goes from the cab into the sheath and from the rear end side will allow it to work lose?

[Raf]

BFH + expletives will get er free.

[ecmilley]

make sure your truck is in park, release brake handle, crawl under truck and wiggle cables by hand, should g=loosen them up and try to figure which one is sticking, my expeirence with gm is that there cables are pretty darn good more likley the parking brake shoes that are binding, after wiggling cables, drive the truck back and forth and see if it pops loose

[stuntman]

Drive backwards if you are able to.......seriously. This used to happen to me on my '88 Ranger. If you drive in reverse, it causes the self adjuster to re-set the shoes and will quite often snap the cable back. I had to do that on several occasions........

 

My 2 cents worth anyway. Hope it helps....

 

Bill

 

 

I second this. I only had to jar the break loose with a reverse of 6" or so. Its the easiest and fastest, it worked for me and after that I never had to worry about it again.

 

SStuntman

[Dutch]

Thanks for all the advice.

 

After trying the suggestions here and a few others, getting it loose was a no go.

 

Called the dealership and to my surprise everything is covered by warranty, including the tow. So it's out being fixed.

 

Now if I could just do something about that $100 front and rear "brake cleaning" they suggested.....yes, it will help my brakes last longer apparently. Save it for the real idiots - I'm only in training.

[Kerry]

If you're up and down dirt roads daily the brake cleaning will definately help especially if you have rear discs as your ABS sensors can get affected as well as the disc slides and pins loose their lubricant.Didn't realize how bad it can get till your looking at it on a hoist and you only got like 40 k on em and one of your discs is gouged cuz the calipers' all crudded up.

You also have to be careful with lubricant sprays on your E brakes as most are lined with a nylon liner instead of the old plastic covered wire liner around the cable.Maybe a silicone based lubricant rather than an oil or petroleum based is better.

 

Kerry