How To Fix A Binding Parking Brake Cable

[Sneb]

Hi all, this is my first post on the Automotive section, so I apologize If this isn't really up to par as far as what all of you are used to, but here goes. I drive a 1998 Mercury Mystique, and a little over a month ago I got home from work and smelled something burning. I then realized smoke coming from my rear right tire. Knowing almost nothing about cars, I asked my Dad to come look at it. He said it's definitely something with my brakes, but refused to help me any farther (we've had a huge falling out recently). I took it to the shop up the road and the next day they said that my parking brake cable was binding, so they adjusted it. Well today I got home from work and, you guessed it, I smelled something burning and had smoke coming from my rear right tire. Before I go spend $40 I don't have on another cable readjustment, can somebody possibly walk me through how to do this myself, or provide a link to somewhere that gives a very detailed guide on how to do it? Is it even something I can easily do without any real automotive experience? Like I said, I don't really know much about cars, although I wish I did. Thanks.

 

[aaronrus]

Oh I've fixed this problem on an old Ford, about 2 months ago actually. What you have to do is buy a new cable for the rear right. For someone like yourself without automotive experience I would recommend having a shop fix this for you, they should only charge you for 1 hour of labor maybe 2. Hopefully this helps.

 

[Sneb]

Oh I've fixed this problem on an old Ford, about 2 months ago actually. What you have to do is buy a new cable for the rear right. For someone like yourself without automotive experience I would recommend having a shop fix this for you, they should only charge you for 1 hour of labor maybe 2. Hopefully this helps.

I was afraid of this. I didn't really have time to deal with it the proper way, so I just took it to the shop and had them readjust it again, but they said they didn't find anything wrong with it. Unfortunately they charged me more than the last time even though they did less work, but I had no time to debate the price. If it happens again I'll definitely fix it the proper way.