I just finished working on my 97 SE 5spd. I had replaced the clutch, lower control arms, CV boots, diff axle seals, and inner tie rods. All in all, the car was off the road over 3 weeks.

When I went to back it out of my work area, I noticed significant resistance. So I lowered my windows, and backed it a couple feet - the right rear sounded/felt like it was dragging hard. I stopped, removed that wheel, and indeed the parking brake cable didn't move when I moved the ebrake handle. A few taps with a wrench handle got it moving again, so I put the wheel on.

On the second try, the right rear didn't make noise, but the whole car still had resistance, it felt like it was rolling on flat tires. (No, the tire's aren't flat). I drove it a few hundred feet and used the brakes some, but the resistance didn't stop. I could only hear slight rubbing noise from the front. The brake pedal developed plenty of stiffness when I pumped it.

So anyway, any ideas what it could be?

I'm going to get it back in the garage tomorrow and remove all wheels to see what I can find. I sure as hell hope it's not the differential or clutch dragging.

Dave

 

Disconnect the E-brake cable and see if that releases it.

 

At the wheel or handle end?

 

At the wheel

 

I'm gonna try lifting the rear, working the cable, and maybe lubing it with WD-40.

Is it likely I'll need to buy all new rear cables? ($200)

Dave

 

What I think the word that you guys are going for is ceased, not seized. Ceased means that its stuck and can't move. To seize means to take. Its "ceased" fellas.

 

Dave - ever figure out what it was? Sounds like the WD40 would do the trick w/ the E-brake. Ever figure out what that noise from the front was though?

Haha, thanks for the vocab lesson, but the term used for describing brakes that are stuck is "seized" -- as in the piston is not able to move freely and has been "seized" by something.

 

I replaced both parking brake cables. The right rear was cut in a couple places and almost completely SEIZED, at which time I was glad I could CEASE using it. WD40 would not have done a thing - plan on replacing both rear cables at $70/ea.

Replacing the cables is a fundamentally simple thing, but the cat heat shields make it a rusty, finger slashing mess. Once you remove the rear heat shield, and free the main cat shield, it's fairly straightforward. PB Blaster and a 10mm wobbly socket on an extension will be necessities.

Dave

PS: Note definition 2.1 of the intransitive form.


seize Audio pronunciation of "seize" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (sz)
v. seized, seiz·ing, seiz·es
v. tr.

1. To grasp suddenly and forcibly; take or grab: seize a sword.
2.
1. To grasp with the mind; apprehend: seize an idea and develop it to the fullest extent.
2. To possess oneself of (something): seize an opportunity.
3.
1. To have a sudden overwhelming effect on: a heinous crime that seized the minds and emotions of the populace.
2. To overwhelm physically: a person who was seized with a terminal disease.
4. To take into custody; capture.
5. To take quick and forcible possession of; confiscate: seize a cache of illegal drugs.
6. also seise (sz)
1. To put (one) into possession of something.
2. To vest ownership of a feudal property in.
7. Nautical. To bind (a rope) to another, or to a spar, with turns of small line.


v. intr.

1. To lay sudden or forcible hold of.
2.
1. To cohere or fuse with another part as a result of high pressure or temperature and restrict or prevent further motion or flow.
2. To come to a halt: The talks seized up and were rescheduled.
3. To exhibit symptoms of seizure activity, usually with convulsions.

 

You must be Floral Park's Official Scholar. Where'd you go? Elmont Memorial?

It's 'seized'... professor.

I will give some good advice. My friend,

take the e-brake cable off the caliper and pump the brake 12 times. Does the wheel spin? If so, your caliper is probably ok. Lubricating the e-brake cable will probably do nothing because its probably rusted and/or kinked in a place that is not accessed by grease. Either leave the cable off and just drive it like that or replace the cable.

Working on brakes is zen. It is very fulfilling. Almost as good as putting in a suspension.

 

Hahaha, you guys are funny. And you didnt even put up the definition of ceased to see that it is a better word to use when talking about things that cannot move. Put up the defintion, and you'll see what I mean. lol

 

QuickFast, please cease and desist! Seized is used in the proper context. You don't have a clue what you are talking about and it is always better to be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.

Now let's get back to the topic of this thread!

 

I think the majority of the people in this forum already know what the word "ceased" means. But apparently you aren't too familiar with brake terminology. Needless to say, brakes don't just decide to stop all of a sudden, something foreign "seized" it.
You can argue this with the rest of the automotive community if you really like, but I'm willing to bet you won't win. Just don't lose too much sleep over it at nights.

Haha, sounds pretty easy to me.

 

You guys are right, lets continue on the topic.

 

<edit me being an unnecessary ******* snipped>

 

what did you do to fix them?

 

I replaced both parking brake cables. The right was was seized. It ceased to function properly.

Check out the pics. The second one appears to have the fatal damage, as you can see around it the cable is swelled a bit.

(I love my new camera!)





Dave