Hey all,

Long story short, i went to the dealer a few days ago for service and had them check out my parking brake because i thought it wasn't working as well as it should. Really loose on lower clicks..

Dealer gave me a quote saying that the passenger side ebrake cable was seized and needed replacement. Total cost $400.

Anyone have any experience replacing these cables? or any way to unseize them?

Thanks

 

That sounds sketchy man. You can adjust the e-brake yourself through the center console at the bottom of the arm rest. Try that first and see if it doesn't tighten up your e-brake.
My e-brake was loose to and I adjusted it myself.

 

Ya i was looking into just adjusting it.. which im fully capable of doing myself. Only problem is i read a post here saying that if the cable is seized, and i were to adjust it, if the cable ever became unseized i would have a bigger problem on my hands. I would be driving with the parking brakes constantly on...

I havnt looked, but im pretty sure if the cable looks like this then its seized. Not my car btw, i found this picture online.

 

Yeah, get in there and find out. You will need to jack up the rear wheels off the ground and keep an eye on where the cable connects to your caliper. I believe 6 to 8 clicks should be needed to lock the rear wheels and should be slightly loose when level is all the way down.
If your cable is seized, you can probably knock it loose by undoing it at the caliper. Will probably require some elbow grease.
All this info is in the service manual.

 

BTW, I didn't have to remove by entire center console out like I see in that picture. However it would be much easier to work on your alleged seized cable.

 

I have not worked on the TSX parking cable, but when I did my 4 to 5 lug conversion, RSX parts into a Civic, the hardest part was taking the center console to access the part you posted a picture of lol swapping out the cable was easy, just make sure the cable is hooked up first on the caliper before tightening the bolts that hold it in the center console and make sure your grommet is perfectly flushed to avoid any noise or dirt or water from coming inside your cabin.

 

My other vehicle is a Toyota Tacoma, and several owners have reported seized brake cables. A few guys were able to free them, I think by blasting PB Blaster or similar up from the wheel end. Others had the dealer replace the whole setup.

Seems to be a major pain to replace.

More problems reported in snow / salt belt than in more temperate climates. Routine maintenance, spraying a lube down the jacket inside seems to help.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I live in toronto so we get salt/snow all winter. Its actually too cold for me to bother trying to fix this myself on my driveway. I might have to wait for a warmer day or until spring to try and fix it.

I will however, try to see if the cable is flexing like the pic i posted. If its not then i might just try to tightn the cable and see if it helps.

 

How often do you use your e-brake?

 

Everytime i put the car in park i use it.. Its been a habbit since i started driving.

Its hard for me to believe its seized because ive been using it all the time since i bought the car 3 years ago. Either way im not looking forward to replacing it if it have too.

 

Update: I havnet been able to do much myself because its so cold out here in toronto.

Is this cable replacement from the dealer something that is covered under warranty? i mean i still have CPO acura extended warranty that i paid for. On the acura plus pamphlet it lists parking brake cable under the warranty column as well.

Just want a heads up before i start bashing the service fool for telling me its a non warranty item... "wear and tear"

 

I can't imagine it being considered wear and tear. Brake pads and rotors are wear and tear but that's about it.


You should be glad it isn't a Jag - $1500 back in the late '80's.

 

Thanks. Im gonna inquire and see what comes of it.

 

Got this cable replaced last friday under acura plus warranty. Feels good to have a nice stiff ebrake again.

Just as i thought, these service advisers never know shit about anything, especially at my local dealership here in the GTA. Acura2000 that is. Had to go through customer care which was a great experience with just one email with the quote attached. The rep confirmed that it was an acura plus service and set up my appointment etc.

Recieved a 2016 ILX as a loaner while the work was done... a car not worth the price tag btw.

Im happy now, but i wont ever trust the people quoting me work at the dealer ever again.

 

wait,

my e-brake seems really loose when it's not engaged... it's working fine but is it normal?

and also, using e-brake often wear down the cable??

I started using e-brake because I realized i would mess up the transmission...

 

You should check and see if only one wheel is locking when you use the ebrake.. thats usually a sign of a seized parking brake. Also, if your cable in your centre console looks like the above pics i posted.. then its most likely seized on either wheel as well.

I believe parking brakes do stretch very minimally over time, but if both wheels are locking when the ebrake is engaged, maybe you just need to adjust the lever?

I only realized how much of a difference it made when i drove the loaner and used the ebrake on the ILX. My TSX was so loose when compared, but now it feels the same.

 

Hmm... no it's not what you have described... but it was loose from the beginning...

I bought the car brand new but brake was loose then... i thought it was normal... yours is also loose right? i guess it's TSX's problem...

I am going to call the dealer when i do an oil change later this year... and have them take a look..