Any tips on freeing up frozen parking brake cables?

Anybody got any tips on freeing up a frozen parking brake? Im positive the problem is in the cable. I pushed it down, and now it doesnt want to release. I was going to take it off and try to spray it down with some lubricant, but figured id ask for any tips before I attempt it.

Thanks...

 

Frozen parking brake cables

Try clamping a pair of vice-grip pliers (tight) on the cable under the car and pounding on them backwards with a hammer...make sure the 'handle' (or pedal) is fully released under the dash. Unless the brake shoes are 'frozen' against the drums, or there's a problem with the cable in behind the rear backing plates (in which case the rear drums have to be removed for access) this has always worked for me...well, sometimes I need a bigger hammer...good luck!

 

Check the assembly attached to the parking brake pedal. It may not be the cable, but the rachet machnism the pedal attaches too. Just a thought.

 

If you decide it's the cables, take them off the car, coil them enough to fit in a five-gallon bucket filled with kerosene or diesel fuel, and let 'em soak. May take awhile, depending on how 'frozen' they are.

 

if they are frozen and rusted, how do you not know they are not frayed and rusted to the point of braking.
buy new cables.

john

 

The only cable with a casing on a '66 Riv is the front cable. It's better to just replace it if it's sticking. Also, the rear cables on your car are commonly frayed where they attach to the frame in front of the rear wheels. Good idea to replace those also. :bglasses:

 

This is the best course of action.

 

On my 65 Wagon I removed the brake shoes and used penatrating oil and with 2 pairs of vice grips (one on the inside and one outside) gently pulled them back and forth until they pulled smooth oiling every few minutes,
Then I used some greese and worked it back and forth
Make sure the excess does not leak onto the brake shoes

 

I got under the car and grabbed hold of the cable where it makes a T to the rear wheels and pulled it and it moved fine at the rear wheels. I then pulled on the cable the opposite way while my girlfriend held the release button out and with little force, it released. I then had her push the pedal down again and then release it. We worked it back and forth like so a couple times and it works fine now. Thanks everyone!

Im guessing it just froze up in place from sitting. Sunday im going to take the cable off and see if its worth keeping or replacing. If its worth keeping, which from the looks of it, im sure it is, im going to grease it up and re-install it.

 

Dont forget to lube it up with some greese