Hand brake problems

[mr2fast]

Does anyone know a place that fixes hand brake cables. My hand brake won't move. It's like the cable is stuck. I haven't asked around, but can anyone recommand a place so i can get this problem fixed.

[SaturnRaycer]

"Frozen" brake cables are common to Minnesota cars. Usually they freeze in the off position, but... Any reputable shop should be able to replace the cable for you. Since they work on the rear brakes, check the linkage inside the brake drum, or the actuator on the caliper for rear disc brakes. You may wind up having to either replace a caliper or replace some internal drum parts. The caliper is really easy, but expensive (relatively).

[phile]

Originally posted by SaturnRaycer


"Frozen" brake cables are common to Minnesota cars. Usually they freeze in the off position, but... Any reputable shop should be able to replace the cable for you. Since they work on the rear brakes, check the linkage inside the brake drum, or the actuator on the caliper for rear disc brakes. You may wind up having to either replace a caliper or replace some internal drum parts. The caliper is really easy, but expensive (relatively).

How do you know they work on the rear brakes? He didn't say what kind of car it was.

[SaturnRaycer]

If he has model 92, 93, 95, or 96 Saab the handbrake works on the front wheels. Those are about the only ones I know of that worked that way.

[914 Dave]

there were some 80's subbie's that had front E brake set up also... had the hardest time figuring out why when I yanked the Ebrake, the front end pushed, that is until the front calipers locked up in December, and I had to take it all appart and re-build it. In a non-heated garage. Brrrrrrrr.....

[mr2fast]

The hand brake problem is on my 86 toyota MR2.

[phile]

Originally posted by SaturnRaycer


If he has model 92, 93, 95, or 96 Saab the handbrake works on the front wheels. Those are about the only ones I know of that worked that way.


Nope. Those all worked on the back wheels, as did the 97 (Sonett). The SAAB 99 started the front-wheel trick. SAAB rally drivers everywhere held a public day of mourning.

[phile]

Originally posted by 914 Dave


there were some 80's subbie's that had front E brake set up also... had the hardest time figuring out why when I yanked the Ebrake, the front end pushed, that is until the front calipers locked up in December, and I had to take it all appart and re-build it. In a non-heated garage. Brrrrrrrr.....

I had a late-model 1977 (body style changed mid-year) Subaru 4WD wagon. Front wheel handbrake. They also were self-adjusting, so when you put in new pads, you needed to rotate the piston faster than the threads on the parking-brake self-adjuster. This was the first time I ever saw this, but it has become more common on cars since.

Speaking (as I often do) of trivia, how many of you know what the word "Subaru" means?

[Spinne]

I've got a repair manual for Mk1 MR2's if it helps.

[Jeremy Engel]

Its been awhile, but last time I looked up the price for the cables on the 2 they were about $90...and I think that is each. If you buy the cables its a very simple install.

You can call Jay Marks Toyota in Texas and get a 25% discount from retail on the cables.

If your selling the car I wouldn't worry about it. I have seen very few MR2s that actually had a working parking brake cable.

I rigged up a couple throttle cables from Northern on my 87 for much less money...not that I would recomend that though, I did have to work out some bugs with it.


Jeremy

[911SC]

Originally posted by phile

Speaking (as I often do) of trivia, how many of you know what the word "Subaru" means?



I seem to recall it was the Japanese name for a star cluster, which accounts for the original Subaru insignia that looked like just that. A group of stars ...

Harvey

[MNbiker]

Originally posted by phile
Speaking (as I often do) of trivia, how many of you know what the word "Subaru" means?


Subaru is a japanese word (kanji) that refers to the ancient greek myth of the seven sisters of Zeus called "Pleiades". It is also a celestial body of 7 stars, with each one named after one of the sisters.

-Steve

p.s. Using the slightly different Eskimo spelling "Soebahrue" which is pronounced EXACTLY the same, it means "Man who beds with seals" :p

[weidnerpaul]

Steve:
TMI
Paul

[Bryon]

I you have lots of time, you can split the cable down the middle and shoot some penetrating oil on the cable and work it back and forth. I've done it on other cables before.