Drivers parking brake cable - '09 Accord

[redhat]

I recently discovered that the drivers rear brake on my Accord was hanging up. The lug nuts and wheel were warm where as the other wheels were ice cold. I assumed it was a seizing caliper and replaced the caliper. $80 later, I find that the brake is still dragging on that side.

I jacked up the rear of the car and spun both wheels to find that the passenger rear spins free and that the drivers rear has mucho resistance. I am now led to believe that the parking brake cable on the drivers side is somehow seized. I looked at a parts diagram and found that both sides have an individual cable that both connect to each caliper and a T bracket behind the parking brake lever.

Dealer has the item in stock and is $36. Not a bad price. Has anyone had to replace one of these on an 8th Generation Accord before? I'm shocked it has possibly seized this early, but it is a machine and machines can and do break.

I thought I'd mention too, I believe I caught this in the nick of time, the rotor is still fine and the pads look just like the other side.

 

[Hokiefyd]

So the parking brake shoes look just like the other side? If so, I somehow doubt that's the problem, but I suppose it could be. With the rotor removed, is the resistance on that side gone when you spin it?

 

[redhat]

The parking brake for the rear on the Accord is incorporated into the caliper. Basically what I meant to say was that I didn't smoke/chew-up/wear out all of the brakes on that side so they'll still be useable.

I did not remove or try to spin the rotor with the caliper off. I should they that however to eliminate the potential of a bearing.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Unless you recently replaced a wheel bearing and set the preload too tight, a bad wheel bearing will "grind" while you are spinning the wheel by hand.

Cables seize. The problem is, on a drum brake setup, there are springs that will stop the brake from hanging for you if the cable starts to seize. At least it's a caliper operated parking brake and not one of the drum-brake-inside-a-parking-brake style parking brakes!

 

[redhat]

Yeah, I haven't heard any noise out of any of the wheel bearings. Usually when they're on their way out, I have been accustom to them making some noise. They all have been really quiet.

Originally Posted By: Miller88
Cables seize. The problem is, on a drum brake setup, there are springs that will stop the brake from hanging for you if the cable starts to seize. At least it's a caliper operated parking brake and not one of the drum-brake-inside-a-parking-brake style parking brakes!


Thanks for this, I didn't know that about drum brakes. And yes, I am so thankful that the parking brake is setup like this on the Accord. I have too many not so fond memories of the '99 Grand Prix's parking brake. I shudder in horror when I have to remove the rear rotors on that.

 

[cpayne5]

Lately, my TSX's left parking brake cable has been freezing in the cold temperatures over night. I don't know what kind of climate you are in, but it could be that ice has formed in the cable and is not thawing out and releasing the brake. Mine lets go once the temperature gets above freezing. I just ordered a cable a few minutes ago and will be replacing it tomorrow.

 

[redhat]

Originally Posted By: cpayne5
Lately, my TSX's left parking brake cable has been freezing in the cold temperatures over night. I don't know what kind of climate you are in, but it could be that ice has formed in the cable and is not thawing out and releasing the brake. Mine lets go once the temperature gets above freezing. I just ordered a cable a few minutes ago and will be replacing it tomorrow.


Yep, I'm definitely in freezing climate. Anyone know if the parking brake cables on Honda's are lubricated much? I'm tempted to spray some of the Carwell lubricant down inside the parking brake cable tubing to help prevent this.

 

[KrisZ]

I had something similar happen on my Mazda 3 (driver's side as well

) and I managed to free up the cable, lube it and it has been fine for close to two years now.
The culprit, in my case, was the cable coating. It started to peel off on driver's side, but not on passenger side for some reason, and it was catching on the cable sleeve. I removed that coating and lubed the cable. Works like new now.

 

[redhat]

Them darn drivers brake cables! LOL

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I generally won't set the parking brake in the winter. Both of my vehicles have rear drums - more than once I've had the shoe stick to the drum ... the spring won't help with that haha.

Made for quite a surprise. Was fine driving in a snow covered parking lot but the car stopped quick when the RR wheel hit the dry pavement on the road!

 

[cpayne5]

So this morning when mine locked up, I didn't realize it at first and drug a tire across the grass for about 10'. This triggered a speed sensor failure code and VSA fault. I cleared the code, but the VSA light stays on (no other codes). I'm hoping it goes away after a few cycles.

Anyway, moral of the story is to be more observant than I was this morning and don't drag a tire if your parking brake sticks.

 

[redhat]

I bought the new parking brake cable from the dealer and I kind of don't want to say this but... I took it somewhere to have them replace...

It's 25 degrees today, wind blowing, and snowing... I just couldn't freeze myself for another day. At least the problem will be all fixed.