E-brake stopped working after rear brake work...

[scot850]

I would hate to suggest it was poor workmanship, but it could just be coincidence, or maybe the rear parking brakes were re-assembled incorrectly. The most likely issue is the parking brake cable has just finally seized.

Neil.

[plumsmooth]

I have been reading the Parking Brake posts and my understanding is that the Parking Brake assembly does not have to be taking out to replace a rotor?

However, it makes sense to me now that e-brakes would need to be adjusted after installing new rotors using the same methods as described here on the forums starting with the adjuster portholes.

[QuirkySwede]

The rear disc (foot brake) and rear drum (e-brake) are one piece. If they replace or resurface the rear discs, they have to remove them. Seldom can you do this without backing off the brake shoe adjuster so they contract because there's often a build up of dirt, rust, and or the shoes have worn into the drum. If it is pulled off without backing off the adjuster (the spur one inside the drum), it's easy to pull off the friction material from the shoe at the same time on 17-year-old shoes. See the link in my prior post.

"If" the shoes are "good," then they'll just need to be adjusted. If any material is bad, even if only one, replace all four shoes (get the lifetime warranty ones and file away that receipt in your service folder ). If the cables are bad, don't use the e-brake as you could be left with a locked wheel because their failure mode is they do not release. Makes for a little more fun getting the disc+drum off then, but it's possible if you know the trick.

[plumsmooth]

Update: Got my new Toys and tried adjusting my E-brake from the center console all the way until it wouldn't go anymore. I did get some tension back on the parking brake but not enough to stop rolling down my driveway.

But at least now I have this nice new Nine piece set of Torx Keys for under 10 buck including shipping! The good news is my former mechanic, whom I am trying to get a mercy inspection out of, said Parking Brake was not part of an inspection for an automatic. He might be wrong, but it will be sooner I can be back on the road.

Next up in this chapter: First Car Jacking and inspect e-brakes one at a time...

[crlande]

Just put new rear rotors on my car last night. Had to back the adjusters off at each wheel to get old ones off and then readjust with new ones on. Small screw driver thru the porthole, few clicks and done. In PA it is not a inspection requirement.