$700 Repair from rusted parking brake cable

[djdusk]

So My 2006 Mazda 3 was having an issue with the parking brake sticking, I had it lubed up back in January when the mechanic also let me know I had about 70% life left on my rear brake pads.

Everything was fine (so I thought) until last week when I noticed the sticking again. I had to sort of play with the handle to get the brakes to release or else it would feel like I was driving with the parking brake on. I would play with the e brake handle until the car would roll easily without force. Anyways I obviously need my parking brake so I took it to the dealership. They charged me $90 to look at it and tell me my parking brake cable has rusted and is starting to seize. Then they also inform me that my rear brake pads have been burnt and are showing signs of heat stress and are fully worn out and MUST be replaced along with my rotors. So I am looking at over $700 repair now thanks to Mazda's rusting issues.

The guy at the counter says "yeah the brakes going bad like this is because of your parking cable issue." He doesn't even seem to find it strange that a 2006 would rust and seize up. I had an 11 year old Ford focus which NEVER had an issue like this. I am honestly 100% furious I even called Mazda head office to see if they would cover this with the extended rust warranty. Nope....they only cover the body for that.

Overall I will not be purchasing another Mazda nor will I be recommending it to friends. I will probably try and sell it and move to a civic Si or maybe a new Focus.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Early 3's had this issue. It sucks but they are trying to milk you. I got my E brake replaced at street performance for less than half of that.

[peterm15]

I'd say take it anywhere else. You'll get a much better price. I had one replaced on an 86 olds for way less than half that. But things are different with that car so I'd expect about half that a fair price.

If the brakes are actually gone in the back check the sponsor section. Garage16 has a sale now and i think nextmod may but I'm not 100% on that one.

[sol_searchin]

Seems legit, your ebrake being seized caused it to apply pressure at all times on the pads. Your lucky the pads didn't break apart, mine did lol. 700 is kinda steep but than again your getting OEM parts.

[Flagrum_3]

Question is, Does the $700 cover everything? Including the rotors, pads and new parking brake cable? You didn't make it clear.How much is it just for the brake cable replacement? ...plus the rear calipers may be seized now, especially the E-brake mechanism, from the excessive heat build-up.~make sure you have that checked out or you'll pay again not too far down the road.

Consider getting it done somewhere else, it'll almost definitely save you $$, especially using one of our sponsors.

Oh and call Joe at MOT for parts, best choice.


_3

[bluemazda3]

my e-brake seized up not too long ago.. and got them replaced under warranty! I think it cost somewhere around 300$ for just the e-brake cable...

[Cab0oze]

on a 2007? geez. You think they would have fixed these problems after a couple years of constant complaints >.>

[Flagrum_3]

my e-brake seized up not too long ago.. and got them replaced under warranty! I think it cost somewhere around 300$ for just the e-brake cable...

There is another good reason to KRoWn your car from day one.My PB cable is still fine after 6 years and I can only point to the krown formula as the reason.One must realize the formula is also a lubricant.

_3

[djdusk]

The parking brake cable itself is only $120. The price they quoted includes new pads and rotors. They told me my calipers are fine...I should however get them to double checked during the process just to be sure.

I think I will look around at some of the site sponsors for cheaper parts and go from there. In the meantime how bad is it for my car if I don't apply the parking brake and just throw her into gear after I shut it down? Won't be parking on any steep inclines or anything.

[Flagrum_3]

The parking brake cable itself is only $120. The price they quoted includes new pads and rotors. They told me my calipers are fine...I should however get them to double checked during the process just to be sure.

I think I will look around at some of the site sponsors for cheaper parts and go from there. In the meantime how bad is it for my car if I don't apply the parking brake and just throw her into gear after I shut it down? Won't be parking on any steep inclines or anything.

Like I said go to Joe at MOT for oem parts...It's my Opinion, with a standard transmission vehicle you should always use the PB, sure if your on a flat it may not be too bad but for safety sake it's always better to use it, unless the car sits for long periods...Actually by using the PB regularly it helps keep it from seizing, but it's important to keep her lubed up.Maybe every oil change when she's up in the air spray the cables and channels with Krown's T-40 for example or cover the cable with white lithium grease.Make sure whoever installs the new PB cable lubes it up good too.

_3

[Pereira11]

e-brake cable $121.77
pads $132.73
rotors $124.66
labour for e-brake cables and pad and rotors 5 hours

$700 is not bad considering all of that

[Shawn]

e-brake cable $121.77
pads $132.73
rotors $124.66
labour for e-brake cables and pad and rotors 5 hours

$700 is not bad considering all of that

5 Hours?

[sol_searchin]

ya that's by the book, pretty sure it's a little less than 5 hours for just 2 sides though.

[n00bMeiSter]

Go see Jimmy. He'll tell you exactly what needs to be fixed and no bullshit.

[Flagrum_3]

ya that's by the book, pretty sure it's a little less than 5 hours for just 2 sides though.

The brake cable replacement is in there too remember and probably the higher of the labour costs.But still sounds steep to me.

_3

[fourtrack78]

Had the same issue last year on my 05, I went to Jimmy he said my pads were fine, I just needed to change my cable and rotors. Jimmy supplied the rotors and I got the cable from Joe @ MOT, total cost was around $325.

[Shawn]

ya that's by the book, pretty sure it's a little less than 5 hours for just 2 sides though.

I sure hope so. 2 Hrs using hand tools in the driveway. I would really like to know what tech they used to create these "book rates", Ricky from trailer park boys? :P

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Have you used it up until now? If you never use the ebrake... why start now?

Was your focus a manual? or auto?

If it is ceased.. leave it be ceased. only time you would need to replace/repair it would be for a safety.


There is another good reason to KRoWn your car from day one.My PB cable is still fine after 6 years and I can only point to the krown formula as the reason.One must realize the formula is also a lubricant.

_3

yours is a manual. iirc.. which means you use the ebrake at some point on a regular basis.

ebrake.... use it or lose it.. applies to every car.

[Flagrum_3]

Have you used it up until now? If you never use the ebrake... why start now?

Was your focus a manual? or auto?

If it is ceased.. leave it be ceased. only time you would need to replace/repair it would be for a safety.



yours is a manual. iirc.. which means you use the ebrake at some point on a regular basis.
ebrake.... use it or lose it.. applies to every car.

I use my ebrake all the time, and yes 'use it or loose' applies to all cars, but most people with autos never use it (which is not right).Thats why lubrication of the ebrake is so important with autos or standards.Problem with leaving a ceased ebrake alone, alot of times its ceased partially on, which will just burn your rear brakes out real fast.


_3

[djdusk]

Have you used it up until now? If you never use the ebrake... why start now?

Was your focus a manual? or auto?

If it is ceased.. leave it be ceased. only time you would need to replace/repair it would be for a safety.


Mine is manual, as was my Focus. I always use the E-brake which is why I couldn't believe it seized up on me.

What would be the drawback of my picking up some cheaper rotors from crappy tire and maybe some non OEM brake pads as well? I think I can save some substantial money at least picking up cheaper rotors.

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Mine is manual, as was my Focus. I always use the E-brake which is why I couldn't believe it seized up on me.

Weird...


What would be the drawback of my picking up some cheaper rotors from crappy tire and maybe some non OEM brake pads as well? I think I can save some substantial money at least picking up cheaper rotors.

I know that aftermarket pads are often better and cheaper than oem...

Not sure about the Rotors.. might want to check with one of our sponsers/affiliates.

[Flagrum_3]

Mine is manual, as was my Focus. I always use the E-brake which is why I couldn't believe it seized up on me.

What would be the drawback of my picking up some cheaper rotors from crappy tire and maybe some non OEM brake pads as well? I think I can save some substantial money at least picking up cheaper rotors.

With the Mazda 3 it's not that much of a surprise.Mazda themselfs are aware of the issue of seizing e-brake cables, it's in the design.That's why I mentioned lubing it up at every oil change.Only way to prevent it really.

Again call Joe@MoT, the OEM rotors and pads are pretty decent and Joe will give you a good price on everything including the ebrake, the price being comparable to aftermarket.

Or you can call up our sponsor JR Auto Concepts, as they have an awesome brake deal going.

_3

[Cosmo77]

e-brake cable $121.77
pads $132.73
rotors $124.66
labour for e-brake cables and pad and rotors 5 hours

$700 is not bad considering all of that

5 Hours! I work at the wrong dealer!! How long do the cables take to do!?!

[maz06]

Damn i had the same issue with all rotors replaced, new cable and just a break maintenance (clean). Took jim only one hour and half the price

[jonjon72]

Damn i had the same issue with all rotors replaced, new cable and just a break maintenance (clean). Took jim only one hour and half the price

+1

Got the cable from Joe at MOT, pads and rotors from Nextmod and Jimmy took care of the rest. Price, quality and time if took to get done could not be beat!