Parking Brake Not Releasing

[Zudnick]

Hello,



I’ve got a 2004, and over the last few days the parking break has not been releasing properly. When I pull the handle to release the break, the pedal comes up part way, but not all the way and the light in the dash stays on.



If I pull the handle and lift up on the pedal itself then I can get the parking brake to release far enough so that the light will go off.



Any ideas for a fix? Should I start with the parking brake pedal assembly, with the cables or with the parking break unit on the rear wheels?



Thanks for the help.





Z

 

[Kevin Palmer]

Chances are the cables are starting to stick within the housings.



You will find these going into your rear brake area. You need to lube theses with a quality penetrate then keep them lubed with something like spray white lithium grease for example.



To get them to free up and move better. Spay them down, activate them using the brake E-brake pedal. Release the E-brake and lift up on the handle as you have been.



Then, using vice grips, clap the cable back near the cable housing and using a hammer tap if back in the direction of the rear bumper. Keep spraying and moving it like this for 30 minutes or so. It will break down the yuck and rust and allow the cable to slide more freely. Chances are you are dragging your E-brake creating brake issues, heat and lower gas mileage.

 

[shawn stonbraker 2]

Coastie's right. You are probably just getting the light to go off, but the brakes are probably still hung up.



The procedure that Coastie's posted is the way to get them freed up.

 

[Zudnick]

Thanks Guys,



That sounds about right too... My wife mainly drives the Sport Trac and she had mentioned that she thought it was getting poor milage lately.



I'll see what I can do...





Z

 

[Zudnick]

Hello,



It sounds like the parking brake pivots (inside the wheel mechanism) are seized.



Should this be a warranty issue? I say yes. The dealer says no.



What do you say? Has anyone else had this covered under warranty?



Thanks for the help.





Z

 

[Chad Merry]

Cut the cable. You dont need it unless it is a manual tranny.

 

[WXMotorSports DecalsPartsAccs]

Isn't the rear brakes disc and the caliper is doing the job of parking brake? If so, you have a sticking caliper. Under warranty, find another dealer.

 

[Mike Caldwell]

Z, is there only 1 ford dealer in Nanimo? If so as scary as it sounds that one of the better ones if not the best on the Island. Thats where, if we have a major warranty issue our trucks go or to MSA in Abbotsford. If your out of kilometers (62,000) that would void the warrenty as well but other than that it should be covered. SST I thought there was a drum inside the disc? I'm probably wrong though. Hope this helps and good luck!

 

[Zudnick]

Hey,



Yep, only one dealer here...



The service rep told me that Ford Canada would not pay to fix this under warranty. And that it would be two hours labour plus parts to fix the problem…



Apparently these parts are prone to corroding and Ford Canada will only cover this fix in the first year/20,000 Kms.



I nicely told the rep that I didn’t agree with that as I have followed exactly what is outlined in the owner’s manual for maintenance, so this should be covered. I asked her if I had to speak directly to Ford Canada to get this issue fixed, or if I had to talk to the Service Manager first…



So, off to the Service Manager I went, he checked with Ford Canada directly and he was given the same response… He then told me that he didn’t really agree with Ford on this one, so he was going to fix it anyway. As long as his tech could get it freed-up and working properly (cleaning and lubricating) without having to replace any parts he wouldn’t charge me anything… He said that even if he had to swap out any parts I wouldn’t have to pay any more than $35.



I have to go back after work today to pick it up, so we’ll see…





Z

 

[Mike Caldwell]

Hey,

That's good to hear, we've had nothing but good service from those guys. Although we do normally deal with the manager right off the bat. We had a power steering system fail in one of our e150 work vans, under 100 kilometers out of warrenty no Victoria dealer would touch it, my dad (family owned business) loaded it onto a car trailer and hauled up there to be fixed under warrenty. Hope everything works out ok!

 

[Todd Z]

SST, the 03 and up st have the mini drum brake inside the rotor for a parking brake. they dont use the caliper...



Todd Z