04 GT Replaement of rear portion of e brake cables

[BWCAVibe]

Hi,

I have a 04 GT with 107 K. I have to replace the rear "Y" portion of the e brake ables that lead to each rear brake, as one is locked up. By locked up, I mean the e brake lever, when applied, does almost nothing and the car can move easily on a hill. I tried adjusting the lever, but to no avail. The rear brakes were just completely redone last fall, so I am assuming that is not the issue.

I tried to locate some threads on this and found one that references the replacement part is not available thru GM anymore, which is fine as I have a Toyota dealer here in town. I plan on taking the original off when I get the new one to make sure the Toyota replacement is the same.

Question really is there a thread that references the procedure for replacing the cable assembly? Do I have to take the rotor and inner e brake shoe assembly completely apart in order to replace the cable sections, or maybe not? My Haynes manual does not reference this at all. Any advice would be appreciated if for no other reason, maybe i can estimate how much time I should set aside for the repair.

I will be able to completely take my time as it is parked for the winter, so I can just do a little here and there if that is what it takes?

Thanks

Todd

[Salsa Guy]

Looking at a 05 Vibe Repair Manual it requires removing the CAT and heat shields. Also looks like you'll need to break down the rotor and the rear brakes shoes.

[lannvouivre]

I don't recommend taking your time on it because it gets easy to misplace or forget about parts. What I recommend is having both rear wheels off so you can compare the side you're working on to how it "should" look.

I had an issue with a PT Cruiser where it lost an adjustment lever in the drum brake. The spring wore through and dropped the lever right out. Are you absolutely positive it's the cable? Make sure you check first.

[BWCAVibe]

I don't recommend taking your time on it because it gets easy to misplace or forget about parts. What I recommend is having both rear wheels off so you can compare the side you're working on to how it "should" look.

I had an issue with a PT Cruiser where it lost an adjustment lever in the drum brake. The spring wore through and dropped the lever right out. Are you absolutely positive it's the cable? Make sure you check first.

Thanks, I will do one at a time so I can view the other, except I will have to reassemble everything temporarily as I want to take the original assembly to the Toyota dealer to make sure the one ordered is correct, as apparently there are three possibilities.

I will check everything for functionality as I go. Maybe something in one of the inner "drum" portion is locked from moving...I could only hope it will be that easy!

[KITT222]

I've had to mess with parking brake cables on my Vibe when I switched from rear drums to rear discs.It's really easy, but access is a pain. Take off the metal "skidplate" over the gas tank, under the flange bolts from the exhaust midpipe to the muffler so you can shift the exhaust around to get at the bolts. Then there's a heat shield you need to remove, which if the gas tank cover is off is pretty easy to get at. It's one bolt. Behind that is the equalizer for the parking brake, where the two cables go in and connect with the front cable. A bolt holds them to the chassis. On the brake, one bolt holding it to the brake backing plate, and wiggle it out of the parking pawl. Installation is reverse of removal, but is still just as painful.

Good luck!

[BWCAVibe]

Just an update...I think the most difficult thing about this job so far has been getting under the vehicle to get at the 2 heat shields. I broke one of the cable bracket bolts, so I had to drill it out an retap it. Otherwise, I have the cables ordered and the passenger side brake completely apart. I am replacing the brake hardware and shoes at the same time, even though they are not bad, just pretty rusty....you can't use new springs with old shoes, right!!...just does not seem right!

It's been a good little project so far, hopefully, I will not start running into issues! I should be able to do the entire project for $200 in parts.

[BWCAVibe]

Project done..Kitt hit everything on the head! The drivers side does grab more quickly than the Pass. side. I assume when I start driving it regularly in spring, there may be some additional adjustment of the adjuster in the rotor/drum or in the brake handle? It took a week working a couple hours each night, but I am glad I did it.

[lannvouivre]

You can manually adjust the brakes. It has an automatic adjustment lever, but as far as I can tell, it doesn't work worth a durn. The cables need to be tight enough such that the e-brake lever moves like 4-5 clicks before you can't move it anymore.