Parking Brake Pedal

FREDNICK1

MEMBER
2001 BUICK LESABRE

Brakes problem 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 87000 miles

It's my wife's car.

The parking brake pedal is stuck in the up position and will not move. I was the one who was driving when it broke. We were in Florida on our way home to Michigan when I stopped to get some gas. I pressed the pedal down in a normal fashion and it stuck. I pressed it several times hard and finally it released but it was then stuck in the up position and has been for 8 months.

I had Midas look at it. The cables and parking brake systems are fine and not jammed. It's just the pedal that's jammed. They said it is a terrible job to fix and would cost a fortune. They just threw up their hands and said don't worry about it.

Is it as hard as they say it is to replace that pedal assembly?

Living in Michigan, we don't use the parking brake very much in the winter but it would be nice to know it was there and working if we needed to.

Thanks.

Norm

1 Reply

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,513 POSTS

Hello,

Nothing is so tough to where you need to through your hands up lol. Here is a diagram (BELOW) to help you remove the assembly and replace it.

Removal Procedure
The automatic adjustment park brake pedal assembly and the front park brake cable are serviced as a unit.
Raise and suitably support the vehicle.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

Pull down on the intermediate park brake cable (2) near the park brake connector (1).
Remove front park brake cable from the cable connector (1).
Lower the vehicle.
Remove left sound insulator panel to access the park brake lever assembly.
Remove the left carpet retainer.
Pull the carpet back to expose park brake cable.

Disconnect the electrical connector from the park brake warning lamp switch.

Remove the park brake lever assembly attaching nuts (1, 2).
Remove the park brake lever and cable assembly from the vehicle.

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers, Ken

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