HandBrake is seized!!!! HELP!!!! Options

[Theshanon]

Ok so i had my car sitting for like 5 monthes now and my hand brake it seized. The hand break it self has no tention from the handle. I can pull it up and down with no problem (but keep in mind no tension) and the rear wheels wont move (there is no engine in the car right now) do anyone have any experience with a seized hand brake? if youcan help THANKS!!

[Galcobar]

Sounds like the shoes are jammed or frozen against the inside of the drum. However, this could be difficult because you cannot rotate your wheels.

Pull your wheels. If you're lucky, the access hole in the drum portion of the rotor will be at the bottom. There's an adjustment screw you can reach with a flathead screwdriver. If I remember correctly, rotating the screw downwards will release the pads.

Otherwise, you're stuck with removing the rotors the hard way. Most brands will have a threaded bolt hole in the centre section of the rotor. Generally, the same bolt size which holds your caliper slide pins will work. Screw the bolt in and it will pull the rotor off the brake assembly.

Of course, this might be a simple matter of a jammed brake cable. Get under the car, trace the cables from the handle back. Releasing the guide at the back of the brake assembly might solve the problem if it's a tension issue.