Hi All,
I need to get my right rear ebrake cable replaced. Instead of getting hosed by local nissan dealership, I would rather order the part online and change it when its warm around april/may time. Before then this means I cannot go with it. Lately I have been parking my car in gear. Should I spent the extra $ now, or is there really nothing wrong with just waiting it out?

Thanks

 

Parking in gear works as a good method but I'm not sure overtime how much wear it would cause on your gear(s). Your in Toronto so I know its cold out and snowy so not exactly the best condition for changing the cable.

You'll be safe in gear, if you wont be on any hills in the next 4 months you should be able to get away with it.

 

It can be your calipers gone bad? you sure its the cable? I had replace my right rear caliper because it got seased. I would recommend you get it fixed for winter time, rear cliper helps but not like the front calipers, 20% Stopping power for rear clipers.

 

The biggest concern here is that you won't be excercising the emergency brakes all winter. Consequently, you will have about 3 months worth of heavy winter salt turning the good cable and BOTH caliper e-brake mechanisms into a solid chunk of rust. It might be o.k., but you might find that the calipers have frozen up over the winter. I'm originally from Rochester, NY, so I understand not wanting to get out in the cold to fix stuff, but sometimes you just have to do it.

Greg

 

I've never paid attention to this part of the car. Does one side not work if the other is broken? If so, seems like a pretty stupid design.

 

Hmm I have already parked on numerous hills in gear...

 

Im positive it isn't the caliper. The brake works fine, its just that sometimes when it is really cold out, if I leaved the e-brake engaged, it won't dis-engage.

 

Very very valid point. I wouldn't want that to happen...I think Ill just bite the bullet and get it replaced.

 

Both sides work independently.

 

Then you should have no problem waiting to fix it until you have the means to do so. You answered your own question. But please god don't do any modding before fixing it. That would be rice style.

 

Putting the car in gear every time you park doesn't cause any significant wear. It causes about as much wear as shifting gears while driving. Probably less.

So don't shift gears, it puts wear on your transmission! 1st is good to almost 40 MPH so you can get around town just fine.

 

I would think if you are parking on hills you would want to leave it in gear anyways. What if 1 cable snaps in the middle of the night bye bye max. I think you'll be fine not fixing it til spring. I have 1 cable that hangs up too... if I really want to use mine for some reason I just use it then lay under the back and just tap the e-brake cams til It's fully released again. I know what a PITA!!!

 

If you have a Manual car and you park your car on the Upward Hill your turn your wheels all the way to the left and put the car in the first gear.
If you park your car on the down hill you turn your wheel all the way to the right and put the car in the first gear and engage the Ebrake for both situations. Good luck

 

Yeah I realize that but not everybody does that though.

 

I always leave my car in gear. In most states you're supposed to even if on flat ground. 1st gear if facing up a hill and reverse if facing down hill.

If you have no e-brake at all, your car can still roll even if in gear if for instance your car were to get bumped by another parallel parker. It may not go far but nonetheless, it can still move and on a downhill it can roll quite a ways.

I'd carry around a wheel chock or something to put under one of the tires.

 

Consider finding a local rent-a-bay place. I pay $9 an hour, and it's so much easier (they loan me any tool they have)...and warmer. They got lifts and airtools, so I don't have to do any car jacking, to remove wheels or whatnot.