92 Explorer--Cannot release the parking brake!

[Teddydog]

My old 92 Explorer 4x4 is stuck in the Home Depot parking lot because I cannot release the parking brake! It has been sticky at time before, but now it WILL NOT RELEASE. Worked when I drove away from the house, but not after a quick stop.

The issue appears to be in the release mechanism inside the cab. The pedal is stuck down to the floor, so it doesn't seem to be a cable connection problem under the truck. Have sprayed some WD40 on the mechanism up under the dash (technically on the left side kick panel, I guess) and it does look pretty rusty.

The release handle moves in and out but seems to NOT be connected to anything. When it was working, I never bothered to look at it so I don't really know how it is supposed to work or be attached.

Any thoughts? If no thoughts for "unfreezing" the release, how about help disassembling it so I can get the brake released and make the truck drivable again?

I took a couple of pics of the release mechanism area if anyone thinks they might be helpful in diagnosis, but I have not uploaded them yet.

Thanks!

Rob

 

[Turdle]

If you can get someone to help, have them pull the release lever while you pull on the cable from under the truck. It runs along the driver side frame.
See if this will release the brake. Oh, be sure they are pushing on the other brake pedal to keep the truck from rolling over you if the e brake releases.

The return spring could be sticky. You might try spraying some wd40 in the pedal mechanism. Use a good flashlight and you'll see where to spray. This might help if the spring is not broken.

 

[Teddydog]

I messed around with it for quite a while in the parking lot. Tried tapping on what I thought was the release lever, pulling on the cable both directions from under the truck, loosening the adjusting nut where the cable "y" is, etc. No joy. Started trying to remove the pedal assembly, but could not get to all of the bolts.

Finally had it towed to a local shop (tow was free with my roadside assistance). They didn't look at it until Monday and were able to release the brake by prying out the ratchet pawl. (I couldn't see that as it was one of the things I was trying to do myself). They say the mechanism is rusty, bent, missing a spring and just plain in bad shape and needs to be replaced. But for now as long as I/we don't apply the brake, we should be OK to drive it.

I did some Googling and am not having luck finding the part/assembly online (lots of 2nd gen ones). I may have found one at a junkyard across the country, but the description is so bad I can't tell for sure and will need to call them. I will also check with my local NAPA parts store as they seem to be able to get lots of stuff that others can't. Once I have an assembly in my hands, I should be able to tell exactly what I'm dealing with so the swap should go fairly smoothly.

Any other wisdom regarding this issue?

Rob

 

[Turdle]

Try this?

www.car-part.com

 

[Teddydog]

Thanks. I had actually found that company yesterday and 2 potential parts. I called the yard this morning and they're shipping it to me tomorrow for $45 delivered. Should do the trick, I hope!

Rob