Parking Braking Left On

[joel]

parking brake won't grip after left on.
so let me hear the dollars involved. TIA

[Ali Al-Chalabi]

First try readjusting the parking brake. If that does not work, the parking brake shoes have completely worn down and they will need to be replaced, I believe fastlane should have the parts for around $30 or so if you do it yourself.

Not sure what a mechanic would charge.

[joel]

thanks for the tip Ali!!
cheers!!

does the parking brake go all the way to the floor? if so there is a cable under the car you can adjust to tighten it up. also there is some adjustment possible on the rear hub. depending on what model and year

[joel]

no, it does not go down to the floor.
it acts normally but does not grip or hold the car
to a halt. it is a W124 300E.

[jeffsr]

You will need to remove the rear wheels to gain access to the adjusting stars for the park brake, work thru the lug nut opening. Get a small flashlight to illuminate. I believe the alignment for seeing the stars is either 1 o'clock or 11 o'clock position. You will be able to see them with your flashlight.

if the pedal does not go al the way to the floor then most likely your parking brake shoes are shot. if you have a reapair manual it should say in there how to do the job. it will involve removing the caliper and the hub. it should be fairly simple. you can try adjusting the brakes first since it cant hurt. Jack BOTH wheels off the ground as one wont turn if the other is on the ground! remove one lug nut. make sure the parking brakes are off and the front wheels blocked also please use jackstands! take a flashlight and look through the hole almost at 80 degrees you will barely see a star wheel. take a screw driver and push the top part of the gears till it wotn turn any more then back off 1-2 turns. if this does not work, then under the car there will be a cable adjustment try that later. if you cant find it i will try to send you a picture.
good luck

[joel]

thank all the input will try adjustment to brake and
cable. happy and prosperous New Year!!

[georgehifi]

Joel, you probably did the same that my wife did to mine after forgetting to release the park brake and driving around for a while. i thought she had cooked them , but all that happened was that the linnings were glazed, gave them a good sand with some 40 grit sand paper and all was back to normal. Hope this will save you a few bucks , not to run off and buy new linnings.

[joel]

i'll try that george, thanks!!