Re: E-brake replacement/200q

[C1J1Miller <C1J1Miller@aol.com>]

You wrote:  <<Well... the Service write says about 3 hours labor, the

Jeep/Chrysler/Plymouth (former Rolls) tech who helped me free the parking

brake so I could drive home last night says it looks like it would take

about an hour.. but since he's never done one, he said that it might add an

additional 45 minutes if he ran into a problem. >>

Osman:  Before you start, climb under the car and use a long screwdriver to
move the parking brake actuator arm on the caliper (where the parking brake
cable attaches) on each side.  It should move (relatively) freely, and return
to it's place, using the spring that's attached.

My guess is that it is rusted up a bit, and is binding.  If so, judicial use
of penetrating oil may free it up a bit.  Don't spray any lubricants across
the brake pads or rotor though, you want friction there.  Several people on
the list have also stated that household ammonia works great on freeing rusted
parts; something about changing ferric to ferrous?.  I might start with that,
and if it works, try some penetrating oil, then later add something to
lubricate the arm fitting.  If this doesn't work, you may need to replace the
caliper(s).  I'm not trying to rule out the cables; the armored portion also
does rust up and bind on the cable over time.  HTH, chris miller, windham NH,
c1j1miller@aol.com
'91 200q