Hi guys n gals!!

My Z has been sitting so long, the E-brake cable has froze up!! The rod from the lever is really rusted......is there a way to free up the cable? Should I remove it from the car and "maybe" soak it in oil or somthin'??? Or anyone have a E-brake cable they wanna sell meeee? Any help will be appreciated!!

BigGar (Gary)

Hi Gary ~ glad you're still working on this car!

The problem I always had with "frozen" cables is that the penetrating oil I used to set the cable free, ate the sheath. You can hope the problem is actually at the rear brake (in other words, the cable isnt frozen, it just cant move the rusted E-brake lever). In that case, penetrating oil and a soft faced hammer can work wonders.

If it really is the cable assy, why not just buy another one? They aren't nearly as expensive as some of the other goodies I know you've put on the car recently, and the brake system is the last place you ever want to take any chances.

As a side thought, I've spent a lot of time recently pulling parts off of junkyard Z cars, which have sat exposed to all weather longer than yours has, and NONE of them had frozen cables. Suspect another reason first, and if it really is your cable, replace it. Don't take a chance with something which is designed to save your precious Z from rolling down the driveway, unattended, into cross traffic!

Just my $0.02 ~

Frank T