Just in there recently.

I disconnected the parking brake cable at the cable adjusting mechanism (under car, in center) to get some cable slack. With slack, shoe actuating lever assembly can come out from behind hub.

Once in hand, I cleaned and lubed the (seized) actuating lever to free it up.

If you are replacing cable, it was not clear to me how one detaches the cable from the actuating lever, but it will certainly be easier to figure after pulling it out a foot. Must be possible. They are sold separately...

Best of luck.

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1986 300E 5-Speed 240k mi.