E-Brake Problem

[Vitamin M]

After pulling the hand brake up and then down, the brakes are still slightly engaged. The rear brakes dont fully disengage after dropping the e-brake lever. My rear brake pads are really low. Could that be contributing to this problem. I noticed the hand brake is sort of loose,, like the cable i guess its looser for the first few inches during the pull up. Then it clicks clicks. The brake works but when i put it down, the brakes are still slightly engaged.

[Noisy Crow]

Not sure what you are asking... how do you know that the brakes are still on when you release the hand brake? There is an adjustment for the handbrake cable tension. But when was the last time you had your brakes serviced? If something is sticking there isn't much to be done other than disassemble and clean/lube/replace.

[m_bisson]

could be some rust on the cable too. That happened to my 06. I used it every day and somehow enough rust developed to prevent it from releasing the brakes properly.

[Vitamin M]

I know that the brakes are on because the car does not roll on a slope and it takes more gas than normal to start rolling... I think it is quite ease to tell if the brakes are on..

I dont think its a matter of lube or rust. I use my hand brake every day. So i know what it use to feel like when i pull it up. Now its sort of loose for the first few inches during the pull then it clicks several times and it is on. But when i put it back down the brakes are still on a little bit. Not to a point where i have trouble to even move the car but the brakes are on.

[m_bisson]

I know that the brakes are on because the car does not roll on a slope and it takes more gas than normal to start rolling... I think it is quite ease to tell if the brakes are on..

I dont think its a matter of lube or rust. I use my hand brake every day. So i know what it use to feel like when i pull it up. Now its sort of loose for the first few inches during the pull then it clicks several times and it is on. But when i put it back down the brakes are still on a little bit. Not to a point where i have trouble to even move the car but the brakes are on.

ya. that's exactly what happened to me. I went to canadian tire, the guy showed me how the cable was stuck, and how the rust was the cause. I drive stick, so i use mine every day as well. Take it in ASAP!!!!!!!! otherwise you're just grinding down your pads/rotors.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Ya mine stuck as well, to the point where the pads have worn down that it doesn't work anymore so I don't use it.

One of these days...

[Vitamin M]

Thank You guys. I am gonna send it to the dealership soon. By the way does anyone know if this handbrake is drum brake or using the disc brake or both.. ?

[FLIPDADY]

Thank You guys. I am gonna send it to the dealership soon. By the way does anyone know if this handbrake is drum brake or using the disc brake or both.. ?
Disc brakes all the way around on all Mazda 3's. If they can't free up the cables you will have to replace them.

Parts only $82.33 plus tax. Comes in a cable set.

[angkor101]

Disc brakes all the way around on all Mazda 3's. If they can't free up the cables you will have to replace them.

Parts only $82.33 plus tax. Comes in a cable set.

I think he is asking if the e-brake uses brake shoes on the inside drum of the brakes or actuates the caliper. I also need to know to see if it is the same problem I am having since only one side is sticking.

[skunk2]

i had the same problem on my '05 MT last year....only the driverside was not releasing....definitely sounds like it's the e-brake cable.
flippy hooked me up with the cable and street performance did the install. you can try and manually push/release the caliper that's sticking until you can get it fixed then do not use the e-brake until then. just need to get under the car no need to jack it up either.

[angkor101]

E brake cable seemed totally fine, mine is on the passenger side... the caliper on the other hand definitely needs some work. Will prob replace the caliper or bring it in to see if it could be repaired.

[angkor101]

Mine is fixed!.. no problems what so ever with the e brake cable, my caliper just seized up, i gave the caliper to a friend and he got it repaired for me all for $37 plus a brake fluid flush :D