2010 Frozen parking brake cable

[Argyle Edison]

I’ve been dealing with this for a while I think. I could tell there was a small amount of drag from time to time. Every time I would remove the brakes and rotor for inspection, I couldn’t find a problem.

Well, today it really seized up and started making an awful noise (obviously from dragging). So I dug into it again and found out the drivers side cable from the center console back, is inoperable.
I can force the cable to move with a great deal of effort (and vice grips), but it was totally seized in the “on” position.
I did try to lube it, but that doesn’t do shit.


The vehicle has 192,000 miles and is in very good shape. Not sure why this cable has failed, but it’s a bummer. I use the parking break a lot. For now I’m going to leave it disconnected so I can use it.

Anyone have any experience replacing these cables ?
Are they expensive?

Thanks

 

[Generalisimo]

Umm, let me give you a hint. You live in the Northeast.....winter/salt= corrosion, oh and your ride has been living in that for a mere 190k+ miles! Sounds like a warranty issue, no question about it!

 

[Argyle Edison]

Umm, let me give you a hint. You live in the Northeast.....winter/salt= corrosion, oh and your ride has been living in that for a mere 190k+ miles! Sounds like a warranty issue, no question about it!

Right. Thanks for that pearl of wisdom.

 

[KP Texan]

Unfortunately I have no experience with replacing these, but this appears to be the left hand rear cable which should be p/n 46430-35571 and is about $77 from my dealer.

I had a look at the FSM for this procedure, and it looks like a real PITA to replace this. The hard part is that you are supposed to drop the fuel tank. After that it looks pretty straight forward and a piece of cake. I'd do whatever you can to free up the existing one before going through all that! Check everything you can access all the way back to the rear brake, and hopefully you can get it sorted out. I would imagine it's hanging up somewhere on the outside where it's exposed to the weather.

 

[jjpye]

I’ve been dealing with this for a while I think. I could tell there was a small amount of drag from time to time. Every time I would remove the brakes and rotor for inspection, I couldn’t find a problem.

Well, today it really seized up and started making an awful noise (obviously from dragging). So I dug into it again and found out the drivers side cable from the center console back, is inoperable.
I can force the cable to move with a great deal of effort (and vice grips), but it was totally seized in the “on” position.
I did try to lube it, but that doesn’t do shit.


The vehicle has 192,000 miles and is in very good shape. Not sure why this cable has failed, but it’s a bummer. I use the parking break a lot. For now I’m going to leave it disconnected so I can use it.

Anyone have any experience replacing these cables ?
Are they expensive?

Thanks

I'm in a similar situation. Did you ever manage to get this sorted? My parking brake cables are apparently all seized and I wonder if you managed to get your unfrozen again without having to replace it with new ones.

My understanding is the same, my mechanic said they have to drop the fuel tank to install and replace the seized cables ($$$$) so looking for options to free them up.

 

[Argyle Edison]

I'm in a similar situation. Did you ever manage to get this sorted? My parking brake cables are apparently all seized and I wonder if you managed to get your unfrozen again without having to replace it with new ones.

My understanding is the same, my mechanic said they have to drop the fuel tank to install and replace the seized cables ($$$$) so looking for options to free them up.

I disconnected them under the center console for now. I’ll deal with repairing/replacing in the spring when I can take my time in warmer weather. My garage has my other projects in it now.

With that said, I gained about 3mpg without the brakes dragging. Go figure.....

 

[jjpye]

I disconnected them under the center console for now. I’ll deal with repairing/replacing in the spring when I can take my time in warmer weather. My garage has my other projects in it now.

With that said, I gained about 3mpg without the brakes dragging. Go figure.....

Fair play, with it being -30 here right now, waiting till it warms up seems like a great shout.

 

[fixer5000]

northeast yea sounds about right to me...id try this...find a pc of rubber hose that fits onto the cable under the console, tighten that onto the disconnected cable with a hose clamp, connect the other end of said hose to your grease gun in the same fashion, pump that shit up slowly and let it flow into the cable, you might have to wait a bit between pumps but it might work. ive used this trick on other cable types in the past ...what do you have to lose??? ive replaced cables on many salt belt cars in the past. yes its a pain lol good luck