Can't Pull E-brake

[TheArkMaster]

Can anybody give me any ideas of what might be going in with my e-brake?
Context: I was wheeling in the rain, mud, and snow, when I found myself in a situation where I got to back up. I was hitting my rear axle, and suddenly, I could not pull my e-brake. I literally cannot budge it from the down (off) position. I quickly narrowed the possibility of it being stuck on off because I felt no resistance driving and the light wasn't on. That also quickly cut the possibility of a bent bracket out, as that would pull the wire tight and trigger the light. well, it's muddy, so I get out and when I get to a spot I can check it out, I still see nothing. So I go home. I wash the mud off and I find this on my driver rear, right under my panhard mount.

It's safe to say that's not right. Can anybody tell me what cable this is? And possibly provide a picture of yours so I can see where the mount is supposed to be? Thank you!

 

[TheArkMaster]

bump. Anybody?

 

[KidVermicious]

That is your ebrake cable. It's roughly where it's supposed to be, but it isn't supposed to be bound up tight against the panhard bracket like that. Something is bent or seized further up, would be my guess.

 

[TheArkMaster]

That is your ebrake cable. It's roughly where it's supposed to be, but it isn't supposed to be bound up tight against the panhard bracket like that. Something is bent or seized further up, would be my guess.

That's what I thought. I just haven't had time to really go look at it yet. Thank you Kevin. Glad to know my suspicions are correct.

 

[Andy in Pa]

Yep, that's the e-brake cable. It looks like someone already disconnected the cable bracket to give it more travel/room with flex too. My bracket is hanging down like that too, for the same reason.

My guess is you backed up and squashed the outer jacketing onto the cable (fresh scrape marks on the metal is a tell-tale sign), and its not moving freely now.

 

[TheArkMaster]

Yep, that's the e-brake cable. It looks like someone already disconnected the cable bracket to give it more travel/room with flex too. My bracket is hanging down like that too, for the same reason.

My guess is you backed up and squashed the outer jacketing onto the cable (fresh scrape marks on the metal is a tell-tale sign), and its not moving freely now.

Yeah thats what I was thinking. It happened right after getting hung up on my axle too so that is what i was thinking. hopefully within the next few days I can find where its tightening up.

 

[habanero]

When I had to replace my parking brake cable I used a Tru-Torque cable (Dorman) which was an exact match and made in Japan, around $40 and Advance Auto always has coupon codes...

Starting post 1369...how to w/pics on my 96 m/t. Brake handle in center console. Pretty easy job on that truck. Don't know if it's of any help to you:
habanero's 1996 4Runner Build-Up Thread - Page 69 - YotaTech Forums

What it should look like:

You'll either have to replace it or to find a way to seal that if you can get the cable moving again or every time it gets wet and cold enough it'll freeze up again.

 

[TheArkMaster]

Thanks man. Yeah I had a feeling it was going to take a little more than duct tape....