Caliper or Cable??? [kind of long]

["Osman Parvez" <oparvez1@Nycap.rr.com>]

Hi folks,
    I had my first working under a lift experience today, and had severe
trouble diagnosing the problem.
The problem is that the e-brake will not release fully. Pulling it up feels
very stiff and when the handle is released.. nothing happens. Either the
cable is binding or the caliper lever is binding. The cable shows clean
steel at the front end under the drive-shaft, but looks very cruddy when it
comes out at the calipers. The caliper levers themselves seem to be coated
with a light amount of rust, and it's difficult to tell whether they are
releasing or not. 
    At first, I thought it was the caliper levers which I thoroughly
sprayed with a penetrating oil and then with silicone lubricant. The driver
side seemed to be binding.. for I could see some amount of slack between
where the cable end is and where the lever is after release. So I worked
the arm a few times with a long screwdriver, with occassional lubrication
spray. Then, I lowered the car and tried the brake again. It still refused
to release. I lifted the car again.. and behold.. the end of the cable was
tight against the levers. 
    The levers aren't supposed to go fully open when the brake is released
are they? If so.. then it appears that it is BOTH the cables and the lever
arms! 

Arguements for the cables: 1. The ends were tight against the caliper arms
when the brake is released. 
2. There is a slackness in the cable on the passenger side in the middle
which draws the cable below the height of it's pair.. appearing to be
"bunching" effect. 

Arguements for the calipers: 1. The caliper arm would have to be moved with
the prybar to achieve full "open" position, even though the cable was
already at full open position b/c I had moved it with the caliper  arm on
the first pass. 

The audi tech who put in my starter tells me it's the cables, but I check
it anyway. This misery is probably what I deserve. I guess if someone could
tell me that the caliper arms aren't supposed to reach full "open" position
anyway, then I could definately say it's the cables. Then again, for the
cost differential between the cables and calipers.. it would be cheaper for
me to replace the cables first anyway. 

Does anyone if the spring for the arms is available? Perhaps a stiffer
spring(s) would solve the problem. 
what a mess...

Sorry for the BW, but I'm a newbie when it comes to these things and I want
to make sure I've laid out the facts. Thanks for any help folks!

BTW, I'm moving up to Audi/VW/Porsche sales in the beginning of Feb.! C-ya
Chrysler products! :)
Also, I started to figure out what was wrong with the old starter when I
became frustrated with the brake problem.. got as far as clamping the
starter in a vise, then couldn't find jumper wires to clamp to the starter.


Osman Parvez
Albany, NY
89 200q, TAP Chip, 170K