Parking brake stuck

My 2008 Prix, left rear parking brake won't completely release. I took the wheel off, verified that the cable isn't binding, but the mechanism on the caliper isn't releasing all the way, presumably because of corrosion. I had to tap it with a hammer to get it to release, it's real tight.

I sprayed it with some WD-40 but that didn't do much. Accidentally used the parking brake again a couple days later, and I had to jack it up, take off the wheel to release it again. Argh!!

Does anyone know if this issue can be corrected by cleaning/lubricating the parts involved, or am I looking at a new caliper?

On page 2-33 of your owner’s manual it explains that to release the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal down with the right foot and push the parking brake pedal with the left foot. When the left foot is lifted, the parking brake pedal will lift to the released position. If you are in fact following these steps and it is still not working correctly, I would have to say that a good place to start would be with cleaning and lubricating the parts. Please feel free to keep us updated with the fix. I can also look into this further with the VIN. If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. Thank you.

Tricia, GM Customer Service.

On page 2-33 of your owner’s manual it explains that to release the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal down with the right foot and push the parking brake pedal with the left foot. When the left foot is lifted, the parking brake pedal will lift to the released position. If you are in fact following these steps and it is still not working correctly, I would have to say that a good place to start would be with cleaning and lubricating the parts. Please feel free to keep us updated with the fix. I can also look into this further with the VIN. If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. Thank you.

Tricia, GM Customer Service.

Um, yeah, I know how to disengage the brake, having done it for the last 125K miles. I spent a half hour on it today, lubricating everything around the caliper & cable related to the p-brake. It is slightly better, but still binding up some.

Um, yeah, I know how to disengage the brake, having done it for the last 125K miles. I spent a half hour on it today, lubricating everything around the caliper & cable related to the p-brake. It is slightly better, but still binding up some.

you sure it's the cable because it could be caliper not letting off or rubber line colapsed inside.

I'm not sure it's the cable. It's very hard to narrow down the cause when it's all assembled. It did loosen some from WD-40. I'm going to keep working it & liubricating it and see if I can get it to perform as required.

Um, yeah, I know how to disengage the brake, having done it for the last 125K miles. I spent a half hour on it today, lubricating everything around the caliper & cable related to the p-brake. It is slightly better, but still binding up some.

I meant no disrespect with the excerpt from the manual, but I just wanted to be sure that we eliminated the simplest answers first. :wink: I am glad to see that lubrication seemed to help. Please feel free to keep us updated.

Tricia, GM Customer Service.

I meant no disrespect with the excerpt from the manual, but I just wanted to be sure that we eliminated the simplest answers first. :wink: I am glad to see that lubrication seemed to help. Please feel free to keep us updated.

Tricia, GM Customer Service.

I know...it was funny though. :)

Well I appreciated your answer GMCS ;-)

Well I appreciated your answer GMCS ;-)

alot of people don't know this about wd-40 but if you don't keep spraying it with 40 it will rust up again. don't mean this to be rude but we use kure-crc 5-56 and it wont rust up and it is good stuff i know you can buy it at a tsc or rual king and theres probably get it somewhere else also by looking it up on your web.

good luck.....

alot of people don't know this about wd-40 but if you don't keep spraying it with 40 it will rust up again. don't mean this to be rude but we use kure-crc 5-56 and it wont rust up and it is good stuff i know you can buy it at a tsc or rual king and theres probably get it somewhere else also by looking it up on your web.

good luck.....

Yes, I have noticed WD-40 is kinda light and doesn't last real long. I'll look into the CRC, thanks.

It was a failed caliper. I wrote up some instructions:

2004 & Up Grand Prix – How to diagnose a stuck rear parking brake, and replace caliper (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=6903453#post6903453)

you sure it's the cable because it could be caliper not letting off or rubber line colapsed inside.

good deal your up and running again.