Engine runs but the Voyager will not move

[MX793]

Could be a possibility too. 

I'd be more inclined to say it's rust though.  When I moved last month I hadn't used the p-brake on my white van since I bought it in May.  Our new driveway is super sloped, and I tried it and it doesn't work.  I pulled it apart and spent an hour or so trying to adjust the back brakes right, to find out the cable is rusted somewhere so the one side isn't engaging... 

I was kinda referring to Galaxy's problem with the frozen brakes. 

Yours may well be a rusted linkage.

[SaltyDog]

Good call.

[S204STi]

This sort of thing happens when people who never normally use their parking brakes finally apply them only to find that the controlling mechanisms are rusted, resulting in a seized parking brake.  If the parking brakes use levers on the back side of the drums, try grabbing them and forcing them back.  If the cable moves freely while doing this, then it is probably not the cable. Using a drum adjuster tool, back off the brake shoes enough to pull the drum off. spray any hinges or pivots with some sort of heavy spray lube, such as lithium grease, trying to avoid getting it on the actual shoes, as that can result in noise and/or grabby brakes. work the grease in by moving the parts around as you do this and let it dry.  put the drums back on, and adjust from the rear until there is just the slightest drag. Then apply the foot brake a couple of times, recheck, and readjust again till there is just a slight drag.  Then check the parking brake again for function.  If it releases normally, you're set.  Just make sure to use it every day from now on, to keep it from rusting up in the joints of the mechanism.  If not, then you may have to replace some parts, or apply more lubricant.

Not fun!

[The Pirate]

R-inge, so basically, using it frequently will actually keep it in okay working order?


My car has 113K miles, and the parking brake still feels as strong as the day I got the car.  It's a manual tranny, so I use it probably 80% of the time I park.


What about if the car isn't going to be moved for a few days or so, in winter?  Should I still put it on?

[AutobahnSHO]

I was kinda referring to Galaxy's problem with the frozen brakes.?

Yours may well be a rusted linkage.

I know, and i was thinking maybe his is rusted, too..

The Pirate: short answer is Yes using it keeps in working.
In winter be careful you don't apply it right after any hard braking- the heat plus any moisture could cause freezage..

[AutobahnSHO]

Using a drum adjuster tool, back off the brake shoes enough to pull the drum off.
Not fun!

Next time I'm working I'll have to take a picture of the 95-00 caravan rear brake setup.  You must have to have some special tool, because the opening to get a tool in is blocked from the inside with the cable!! 
It's absolutely retarded.
I ended up using a hammer and two screwdrivers to bash/ pry the drum off one side. (The other came off easy.)

[S204STi]

R-inge, so basically, using it frequently will actually keep it in okay working order?


My car has 113K miles, and the parking brake still feels as strong as the day I got the car.? It's a manual tranny, so I use it probably 80% of the time I park.


What about if the car isn't going to be moved for a few days or so, in winter?? Should I still put it on?

That is my impression, yes, both from my own experience and the experience of others that I have worked with.  I think that if you are going to be leaving it sitting for a few days you may want to consider leaving it off however, just in case.

[S204STi]

Next time I'm working I'll have to take a picture of the 95-00 caravan rear brake setup.? You must have to have some special tool, because the opening to get a tool in is blocked from the inside with the cable!!?
It's absolutely retarded.
I ended up using a hammer and two screwdrivers to bash/ pry the drum off one side. (The other came off easy.)

yeah, some are like that.   I guess I refer mentally to images of Nissans because they are pretty much all adjustable from the rear.  But my wife's Fucus  cannot be adjusted or even inspected from the rear.  In that case you just hope to the sweet Lord that there isn't a rust ridge built up on the outer edge of the drums, or the parking brake is stuck.  In these cases you are screwed and you end up having to do what you did.  Kinda blows...  Personally I think they should do away with drum brakes, but they are cheap and rarely require replacement so they make sense in economy situations.

[Galaxy]

out of curiosity, why'd you let the car sit for 3 weeks?

It just was not needed in that time.

[Galaxy]

This sort of thing happens when people who never normally use their parking brakes finally apply them only to find that the controlling mechanisms are rusted, resulting in a seized parking brake.

I do use it quite often. For one every since driving school it has been imprinted onto my mind to use the parking brake. It often happens subconsciously.  Also even though the P setting will hold the van on even a step hill, it puts a lot of tension onto the transmission and when one puts it back into D it goes CACHUNK.

[S204STi]

I do use it quite often. For one every since driving school it has been imprinted onto my mind to use the parking brake. It often happens subconsciously.  Also even though the P setting will hold the van on even a step hill, it puts a lot of tension onto the transmission and when one puts it back into D it goes CACHUNK.

Strange...oh well.  Learn something new every day!

[JWC]

The park brake stuck on one of my old Bugs once.  I hit the backing plate with a hammer.  Never gave me another problem.

Seriously, that's what I did.

[S204STi]

The park brake stuck on one of my old Bugs once.  I hit the backing plate with a hammer.  Never gave me another problem.

Seriously, that's what I did.

lol!

[Raza]

The park brake stuck on one of my old Bugs once.  I hit the backing plate with a hammer.  Never gave me another problem.

Seriously, that's what I did.

Good old fashioned violence solves just about everything.