Did the car sit for a long time? If it did, the metallic shoes have rusted
to the drum OR pads to discs depending on your setup. Sometimes trying to
go backwards, or rocking the car a bit will get it to pop free. If that
fails, try jacking the car, and take the rear wheels off and moderately
tapping the CENTER of the drum with a hammer, with the brake in the off
position. When/if it does become free, get under the car and lube up your
cables. Drive around a very short distance (providing you get it free) and
listen for grinding. If there is grinding, it may require a brake job. If
no noise, and your e-brake does not bind, leave it alone. If it does not
free up then, get it to a brake shop.
I recommend that if you are leaving a car sit for a long period of time in
damp weather, , find level ground, put chocks on either side of the wheel
and leave the parking brake off, and leave the gearbox in reverse or high
gear.
..
"Dan Pilkington" <pilk00 (AT) attbi (DOT) com> wrote

Dan,

How can you tell that your e-brake is locking up? I'm curious bc I think there is something going on w/ my brakes as well and am trying 2 figure out what it is (I don't think its the disc brakes though bc I had it replaced less than a year ago). Thanks.
"Dan Pilkington" <pilk00 (AT) attbi (DOT) com> wrote

...on my '95 Civic Hatchback. Should I get it towed to a shop, or is this a
relatively easy thing to fix? Thanks!

On 6/24/03 12:07, in article 6z%Ja.8507$Fy6.2973@sccrnsc03, "Dan Pilkington"
<pilk00 (AT) attbi (DOT) com> wrote:

ground!

Jason

Thanks for the info! The car sat for maybe 10 days. A relative had used
it - I thought maybe she had pulled on the brake harder than I normally do,
but I realize there was something wrong nonetheless. Will try your ideas
soon.

Dan

"eightupman" <eightupman (AT) hotmailnospam (DOT) com> wrote

With the e-brake off, the back tires don't turn at all.
"Tuning Sensei" <someone (AT) microsoft (DOT) com> wrote

Dan,

How can you tell that your e-brake is locking up? I'm curious bc I think there is something going on w/ my brakes as well and am trying 2 figure out what it is (I don't think its the disc brakes though bc I had it replaced less than a year ago). Thanks.
"Dan Pilkington" <pilk00 (AT) attbi (DOT) com> wrote

...on my '95 Civic Hatchback. Should I get it towed to a shop, or is this a
relatively easy thing to fix? Thanks!