gen 3 E-break won't release.. - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

psyanyde · 05-10-2008, 09:35 AM

ok, here's what happened

was installing my new indash dvd last night.. had the e-break on.. released it to go to futureshop to get a new harness.
came back home, hit the break again..

and what do you know.. THEY WONT RELEASE!

HELP!

mine's the pedal e-break.. when i pull the lever the light goes off.. but the breaks won't let go.. and they're on TIGHT!

i didnt realize this when i reversed the car out of the driveway, but when i put it in drive.. nothing, so the car was in the middle of the road.

i tried to bring it to the side to park it for the night.. and it was literally dragging the back tires..

help?

bigbird · 05-10-2008, 09:39 AM

check the cable on the release lever for starters, if that came loose or borke then that may be a cause. you didnt drive with the ebrake on at all did ya?

psyanyde · 05-10-2008, 10:56 PM

Yeah i did.. i HAD TO!
had to move it off the middle of the road at 1 in the morning..
drove it LITERALLY like one foot ...

but i got it looked at today, gladly the area had a few mechanic shops, so walked over to one and got them to come over, took the wheel off (thank God that it's only on one wheel and not both) and he was able to pull free..

but yeah, now i have to get the entire wiring changed.. this is what happens when you hardly use the e-break.

I think i'll take this opporunity to get new breaks and struts too..maybe even buy those Sprint Springs that have sold yet.. lol.. good thing I got that done for only $20 and it didnt' cost me too much.. lol

anyone got any suggestions for struts and breaks?

Toy_Dreamer · 05-11-2008, 03:40 AM

brembo brakes

Mike Gerber · 05-11-2008, 11:36 AM

"but yeah, now i have to get the entire wiring changed.. this is what happens when you hardly use the e-break."

Yes, the cable rusts inside it's sheath when they are not used regularly and then it is applied. If you have a little patience you might be able to get the old cable working again by liberally applying penetrating oil to the cable at it's highest point (probably inside the car by the foot operated section of the e-brake) and working the cable on and off repeatly. Also apply penetrating oil to the wheel side of the cable and continue to work it. Don't do this unless you saw what the mechanic did to free up the stuck brake at the rear wheel and feel you are capable of freeing it up again yourself, if it sticks on again. This might save you a few dollars.

Mike

psyanyde · 05-11-2008, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

"but yeah, now i have to get the entire wiring changed.. this is what happens when you hardly use the e-break."

Yes, the cable rusts inside it's sheath when they are not used regularly and then it is applied. If you have a little patience you might be able to get the old cable working again by liberally applying penetrating oil to the cable at it's highest point (probably inside the car by the foot operated section of the e-brake) and working the cable on and off repeatly. Also apply penetrating oil to the wheel side of the cable and continue to work it. Don't do this unless you saw what the mechanic did to free up the stuck brake at the rear wheel and feel you are capable of freeing it up again yourself, if it sticks on again. This might save you a few dollars.

Mike

Mike, that's a good idea, and it'd probably take a day to do.. i think all the mechanic did was physically try to turn the wheel and tug on the cable at the same time.. and it pretty much freed it up.

i'll take a look at it the next time i get a day off work
thanks for the suggestion.