Parking Brake issue on 92 path 4wd

[thejones]

I have a problem with my parking brake that i still can't seem to fix. When i release the brake, i push the hand lever all the way down, but there is a pressure that pops it back up 2-3 clicks. i believe it is also causing my driver side rear brakes to be part way down, that sides brake pads wore down much faster then the passenger side. (i drove around with the brake light on convinced that it was just faulty wiring, cause i didnt really feel any lag in my driving from an actual brake problem. i am never on a hill, so i hardly use my parking brake. it must have got stuck one of the few times i used it the past few months)

 

also, i tried to adjust the line underneath to see if that would release whatever tension there was, but nothing. i am capable of some work, but not a mechanic at all, so troubleshooting is hard for me. here are some photos of what i think best shows what i am getting at. if you can offer advice on what i should do next it will be much appreciated. if i cant fix it by tomorrow sundown, i am going to have to drop it off at a mechanic, i just dont have time to be messing with it.

 

thanks.

 

this is how the parking brake line looks when i have the handle pushed all the way down, it starts to coil up a little, that pressure pushes it back up 2-3 clicks until the line is straight again, like the second image.

 

 

here are two shots of the rear parking brake. everything looks fine to me, but what do i know.

 

 

 

finally, a bonus question. the first freezing night we had, the following day, my car felt off balance, it was violently shaking from the rear. when i took my tire off for these photos there was water splashing around inside my tire. the balance thing must have been frozen water inside my tire. how the heck do i get water out of there now? no idea how it got in there in the first place, except that i had a flat for a whole day when i was away, got home and it was totally flat. not sure if it rained then or not, but that is the only thing i can think of.

 

thanks, love this site.

Edited January 26, 2008 by thejones

[88pathoffroad]

I bet your cable is frozen or rusted up inside, and you have to take the tire off to get water out.

[Simon]

I had the same issue. It is as follows.

 

The primary cable runs from the handle, to a "T" about halfway back to the rear wheels. From that point, the cable splits to go to both rear wheels.

 

The issue is in the main cable, as it's probably frayed, and won't go back into the sleeve that you show in your first pics.

 

The good news is that it's replaceable on it's own, and the part, from Nissan, was under $50.

[thejones]

thanks, i will get a new cable and try and replace it then.