Driver's side piston will not apply pressure when e-brake pulled. Foot pedal works. Checked line on driver's side and it was intact. It seemed to move a little when handle pulled, but not enough to apply pressure to rotor. Thoughts?

 

I don't know a lot about the system, but I know at least that it's cable operated, is the connection to the driver's side rotor loose or does it have too much slack? My $0.02
-Justin

 

Yeah, I thought e-brakes were cable operated (not power assisted). That's why they work even when if your brake line gets cut and you have no fluid.

 

The ebrake is cable operated. When I said the line was intact, I was referring to the cable, it didn't appear broke, hence the statement that it moved a little when the ebrake was pulled but the piston would not apply pressure. Also, when I said that the piston applied pressure when the foot brake was pushed, was to let everyone know that the piston was not stuck and worked under normal conditions. I just can't figure out why the piston won't engage with the ebrake? In answer to Badaxxima, the cable is not loose. Seems to have perfect tension on the cable as I can tell through the rubber boot at the caliper. I'm going to try some rust away or WD40 to see if the mechanism is stuck, that's all I can think of.

 

the cable is frozen. it's like rusted on the inside and it's seized shut. no amt of wd40 won't help u there. get a new cable.

 

i have that same problem on my SE and when i had the dealership do an overall check they told me that the piece that applys pressure to the solonoid or what ever it is was broken and they said it would be around 180$ to be fixed if they did but im sure you could do it your self for much less

 

You know, every since I had my rear rotors replaced (with stock units) my drivers side rear calipar has bee nfreezing. If I leave my emergency brake on when it's been raining/snowing, and it gets cold like overnight or something, I get back in the car and the calipar is seized. It lets up after it warms, but not before driving around for a while and burnin up some of my pad. Do I for sure need to replace the calipar, or is there some kinda easy quick fix?? (Matt, this one would be for you, Mr. Quick Fix-it)

 

Nismo, From what I read, 3-gen rear caliper problems are common. Craig B has had to rebuild at least one side so far. I would take the wheel off and closely inspect it. Or take off the caliper also and clean/lube the slide pins and inspect the caliper piston/seals for grime and leakage. If you get lucky, maybe the clean/lubing will work. You might also have some old brake fluid that has some moisture in it? ie. freeze then thawing? That's a guess though.

 

It's not the fluid, but I will try inspecting it closer when it warms up a little around here. I was going to repaint my calipars anyway so that would be a good time to clean and lube all the important parts. Again, thanks for your help, Jeff! (you're my favorite! )

 

any idea how difficult it is to swap parking brake cables?
mine are sticky like a **** and i was thinking of swapping
them out with brand new ones... maybe rebuilding rear
calipers

 

e-brakes tend to freeze up when its cold out mine did it when it snowed