The parking brake is an important braking component that is only used when a vehicle is parked. It helps to take unnecessary strain off the transmission when the vehicle is not in motion, or when it is parked on a grade. The parking brake is also commonly called the emergency brake, “e-brake,” or handbrake. The parking brake consists of a system of springs and cables that are mostly protected in a sheath; but depending on the make, model, and year of your car, the components might be more or less protected.
Usually, the problem of having a frozen parking brake occurs in older vehicles. Newer vehicles have more protected parking brake components, which keeps out moisture and prevents them from freezing. But, depending on the winter conditions in your locale, you might have trouble with a stuck parking brake.
Some routine preventative measures you can take to keep your emergency brake in good working order include using it often, and keeping your brake fluid reservoir full at all times to ensure maximum lubrication. Also, inspection of the parking brake should be part of your routine vehicle maintenance – especially for older vehicles that still have the original parking brake. Over time, parking brake cables can become worn, and those that are less protected by the sheath can be prone to rust.
Ice can actually cause the parking brake to freeze in place when it’s really cold outside. To solve this problem:
Still no luck? Figure out which wheel the parking brake is connected to (consult your owner’s manual) and try to melt the ice with a hairdryer. If you know that temperatures are going to dip below freezing, think twice before engaging your parking brake, especially if the forecast calls for moisture, too!
Over time, the parking brake can become rusty or corroded. Once this happens, the cable that engages the parking brake can get stuck. This can be a harder problem to diagnose and fix in your driveway or garage. If rust is the trouble there’s a good chance you’ll need to call a tow truck for help, but you may be able to get the parking brake unstuck if you:
If you’re comfortable doing so, check for rust or corrosion by doing a visual inspection of the parking brake cable underneath the car. If the cable or surrounding parts look corroded or rusted, they may need to be replaced.
How can you avoid this one? Using the parking brake every time you stop or at least once a day can make it more difficult for rust to form on the surface of the cable and help your parking brake stay in working order.
Hopefully, you only leave your parking brake on for limited windows of time. At most, overnight. If you leave your parking brake on for too long (like if your car is in storage during winter) it can become stuck or frozen in place.
Try the same troubleshooting tactics you’d use for a frozen parking brake to solve for this one. If you’re headed out of town or don’t plan to drive your car for a while, avoid engaging the parking brake unless you know that the parking area is temperature controlled.
If you were channelling your inner-Hulk when you applied the parking brake, you might have accidentally jammed it. Pulling the brake with all of your strength can get the brake shoes stuck against the walls of the wheel drum, and even stretch out the cable that runs from the brake handle to the wheels. If you’ve tried to release the parking brake repeatedly but with no luck, it may be time to call for a tow truck and seek professional help.
Cars may be created equal, but they don’t stay that way. Cables wear thin and pieces rust. Make sure you’re properly engaging your parking brake and staying ahead of potential brake problems.
Information published herein is not the opinion of the publisher nor supplier; this information has been curated. Always seek professional advice for car related problems.
Source credits: https://blog.firestonecompleteautocare.com/brakes/parking-brakes-stuck/ https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-release-a-stuck-parking-brake-by-bren
