Attempting to replace parking brake shoes and hardware, cannot relieve tension from cables. There must be a secret. Any one have any ideas?

What do you mean you can't relieve tension from cables? Do you mean you can't get the rotor off? Or you have the rotor off and the actuator is stuck?

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Thank You!
Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport

The rotor is off, but the cable appears to not be all the way out, can't get the actuator to release enough to get the shoes and springs on, if we did, the rotor wouldn't go back on. Is there a self-adjusting mechanism somewhere?

That car has an AUTOMATIC cable tensioning device! Remove the rear seat to access & the reset auto adjuster.

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Thanks a million! I'm on the east coast so I was probably pulling the rear seat out about the same time you were typing this. Problem solved. Thanks again.