Why does my parking brake get loose?

[GTSnake]

Sometimes when i pull my parking brake it seems the wire is really loose. The handle pulls all the way to almost vertical. Then I pump the handle again and it seems like it spools up and the tension is tighter. Then the handle gets tight around 10 oclock. Is there a spring or something that is not pulling up the wire? How can I get it to tighten up?

 

[GTS Dean]

This happens to my car occasionally. I don't know exactly what causes it, but I have had issues with the torsion springs getting coil-bound on the rear caliper levers and the levers getting stuck. The handle mechanism in the cockpit has greased teeth that dry out over the years, but I don't think that has much to do with the stickiness.

I assume it's probably the self-adjuster screw mechanism inside the calipers that is the root of the problem. I periodically remove the pads and rotors, then screw the pistons back in all the way, pop the cable ends out and work the levers with a Crescent wrench. It seems to help for a while.

 

[GTSnake]

Well I guess it's time for a brake job anyway.

 

[WHY U TRY]

Mine does this as well on a 2000. It's rare but I have seen it happen. Just like you said, I pull up and it's basically lose. I put it back down and this time when I pull up on it, it's snug and working normally.

 

[GTSnake]

Mine does this as well on a 2000. It's rare but I have seen it happen. Just like you said, I pull up and it's basically lose. I put it back down and this time when I pull up on it, it's snug and working normally.

So have you fixed it or just leave it as is and keep pumping the handle each time?