Rusted/Frozen Parking Brake Lever

[xFatcatx]

99 Sport, 75000, 4.0 SOHC, 4WD, Disc Brakes all around.My e-brake has not worked for a while now. I rehooked the e-brake cable to the brake lever on the back of the wheel 2 times and it kept coming unhooked. I pulled the rotor off today to check everything out and to put new e-brake pads on. I found that the parking brake lever that applies and releases the pads is stuck in the open position, so its like the e-brake is always applied, just on the drivers side. I hit it with penetrating oil for a few hours, banged and cussed but its stuck. Everything is so rusty in there one of the pads fell apart when I pulled the rotor off......dam east coast rig. So I need some help on 1-can I get it unstuck somehow, and 2-if not, how to I get it out of the backing plate? You cant bring it forward because of the (axle?), and it doesnt fit out the backside, and 3-where could I get one? Ive called around but I cannot find a repalcement lever. And also what brake tools should I get to make this job easier? The top inner spring was a pita to get on and off.

One more random question. I was looking at Harbor Freight for a Air Compressor and Impact Wrench but I dont know what size I need, 5horse/etc.? It would just be for lugnuts and other stuff like that nothing big or major. I just dont want something to powerful or something that wont do the job, money is an issue. Thanks

Pictures are not that good I had my sisters cheapo camera, but you get the idea right.

 

[xFatcatx]

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[pservecc]

I had that same brake problem on my XLT as well. I too couldn't see an easy way to get them out, and I needed it done to pass inspection. So, I wound up taking it in to a dealer. If I recall correctly, it wasn't an expensive job ($100 or so), and was worth not having deal any more with it in the middle of winter (as it was in my case).


I have a Craftsman 5hp/20gal belt-drive compressor that hasn't failed to get any jobs done. Lug nuts aren't a problem, even when the shops way over-tightens them as they almost always do. I've also done things like the wheel bearings on my Ex, and struts on my other car with it.

 

[xFatcatx]

Thanks for the info. One dealer told me I couldnt order the Lever without buying the hole kit at a measly $142........Another one said he would give me the lever for $26. I think I will keep sprayin it for a few weeks and see what happens.